This study aims to explore the experiences, perceptions and influencing institutional and individual factors of information technology (IT) personnel during the transition to open-source database technologies (e.g. PostgreSQL) in public universities from a qualitative perspective.
Within the scope of qualitative research, semi-structured interviews were conducted, and the data were analyzed through thematic analysis.
While cost advantage was identified as the most significant factor in the preference for open-source systems, lack of technical knowledge, staff shortages and planning problems emerged as the main barriers. Participants emphasized the importance of training, gradual implementation and institutional support for a successful transition.
Investing not only in technical infrastructure but also in human resources and strategic planning is critical for ensuring the sustainability of the transition process.
By focusing on the perspectives of IT personnel working in public universities, this study contributes to the rarely addressed human and institutional dimensions of the transition to open-source database systems in the literature. The study, situated in the context of Turkish public universities, highlights how national policies and institutional constraints shape open-source adoption processes.
