Abstract
The objective of this research is to identify the factors that influence the migration of free software to proprietary software, or vice-versa. The theoretical framework was developed in light of the Diffusion of Innovations Theory (DIT) proposed by Rogers (1976, 1995), and the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) proposed by Venkatesh, Morris, Davis and Davis (2003). The research was structured in two phases: the first phase was exploratory, characterized by adjustments of the revised theory to fit Brazilian reality and the identification of companies that could be the subject of investigation; and the second phase was qualitative, in which case studies were conducted at ArcelorMittal Tubarao (AMT), a private company that migrated from proprietary software (Unix) to free software (Linux), and the city government of Serra, in Espirito Santo state, a public organization that migrated from free software (OpenOffice) to proprietary (MS Office). The results show that software migration decision takes into account factors that go beyond issues involving technical or cost aspects, such as cultural barriers, user rejection and resistance to change. These results underscore the importance of social aspects, which can play a decisive role in the decision regarding software migration and its successful implementation.
Highlights
Contemporary society has been characterized by the central role of information in all areas of human activity, mainly due to the advances of the Information Technologies (IT)
The methodology used was based on the Process Maturity Framework (PMF), a maturity model described in the Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) reference model
The results show the maturity level of the assessed processes as well as the maturity level of the dimensions in the selected Ministries
Summary
Contemporary society has been characterized by the central role of information in all areas of human activity, mainly due to the advances of the Information Technologies (IT). McGee and Prusak (1994, p.3) stated that the transition from the industrial economy to an information economy, which has been occurring for the last 25 years, will make information turn into a driving power to create wealth and prosperity, rather than land or capital, for the decades. In parallel with these changes, as of the 90s, in various parts of the world a government reform has been triggered with the transition from bureaucratic public administration to a managerial public administration (Bresser, 1998).
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