Indium-zinc-oxide (IZO) films were deposited at room temperature via RF sputtering with varying the flow rate of additive nitrogen gas ($N_2$). Thin film transistors (TFTs) with an inverted staggered configuration were fabricated by employing the various IZO films, such as $N_2$-added and pure (i.e., w/o $N_2$-added), as active channel layers. For all the deposited IZO films, effects of additive $N_2$ gas on their deposition rates, electrical resistivities, optical transmittances and bandgaps, and chemical structures were extensively investigated. Transfer characteristics of the IZO-based TFTs were measured and characterized in terms of the flow rate of additive $N_2$ gas. The experimental results indicated that the transistor action occurred when the $N_2$-added (with $N_2$ flow rate of 0.4-1.0 sccm) IZO films were used as the active layer, in contrast to the case of using the pure IZO film.