Financial information management for university departments, using open-source software

This paper presents a model to analyse the different outcomes generated by the application of Task-Technology Fit (TTF) theory to economic and financial information management in university departments. This model extends that proposed by Goodhue (1995), in two ways: (i) a key role is played by the manager in designing the technology and in performing the task in question. Both of these aspects can be modified, depending on the evaluation made of a series of characteristics (or dimensions) inherent to the model. (ii) The free dissemination of the source code of the application not only allows the transfer of knowledge, but also creates virtual communities which, through collaborative work and the exchange of experiences, can achieve a better fit of the technology to the task at hand. This model has been introduced in several departments at the University of Granada (Spain), and evaluated in terms of the results obtained at both individual and group levels. This evaluation was conducted by means of in-depth interviews with departmental managers.