Problems of software import substitution in HEIs

Abstract

Adoption of IT innovations is a challenge for higher education organizations, and the main reason for the difficulties is not the failure innovations’ implementation, but the failure of fulfillment - the inability to get each employee to use the innovation in a skilled, consistent and committed way. It is important for HEIs that the innovation is accepted and supported by staff and that the HEI realizes some economic benefits as a result of the implementation. In order to manage the process of resistance to innovation in higher education institutions, it is first necessary to recognize the causes of resistance to changes, then to consider a possible strategic approach, formulate tactics and methods of levelling the resistance to changes. The research paper considers software import substitution in higher education institutions as an innovative project. It is noted that higher education institutions face a number of difficulties in the transition from predominantly foreign software to domestic analogues, such as the lack of experience of teachers and students in using domestic digital services and solutions, the need to transfer data from one system to another, and additional costs for the replacement of licensed software. The paper presents recommendations for the management of departments aimed at levelling the resistance in the process of transition to new software.