Abstract:
The general objective of the study is to identify factors affecting effective implementation
of integrated financial management information system (IFMIS) in the Ethiopian Institute
Agricultural Research (EIAR). The study adopts a descriptive research design. The target
population was users of IFMIS in all directorates of the Ethiopian Institute Agricultural
Research. A Random sampling method was used to obtain 98 samples. Data were
collected by means of self-administered questionnaires, document review, observation,
and would analyze using descriptive statistics using Stata Version 13. Most of the
participants were finance officer and accountant with around 10% ICT experts. The
mean (SD) work experience of the study participants were 14.35(9.53) years. The result
of the finding showed that EIAR is committed, there are adequate ICT technological
infrastructures required for the implementation of IFMIS. The respondent agreed that the
management awareness of the benefits that can be achieved with the use of IFMIS. The
system is accessed with handheld and desktop devices, and it doesn’t conflict with other
application of the organization but some of the participant complain that the system is
not working in some operating system. Majority agreed that properly ordered leveled
training according to their understanding. Based on the multivariate analysis,
effectiveness of IFMIS is significantly associated with IT/ICT infrastructure & expertise,
top management support & commitment, end user training, and interoperability of the
system at p-value less than 0.05. From listed variables, operational efficiency of the
system was not significantly associated with effectiveness of IFMIS (P-value =0.747).
EIAR should consider the mechanism to retain IFMIS trained staffs, and the inadequate
number of system administration staff. EIAR should fix the problems related to
infrastructural and network connectivity issue by continuous follow up with stakeholders
like electric and network provider.
