Research Papers - Dept of Information of Management

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Open Access
Unveiling the challenges: exploring start-up hurdles faced by small and medium-sized enterprise entrepreneurs in Sri Lanka
(Springer Nature, 2025-03-30) Gankandage, A; Jayathilaka, R
This study specifically focuses on the factors contributing to start-up failures in the SME sector in Sri Lanka, with particular emphasis on the educational, socio-cultural, economic, and psychological variables that affect entrepreneurial outcomes. The primary objective is to identify and analyse the factors contributing to these failures. Data collection involved interviews, telephone surveys, and online questionnaires. Given that the dependent variable categorises outcomes as either success or failure, a Probit regression model, was deemed the most appropriate analytical method. The findings reveal significant impacts of educational and economic factors on start-up failures in the SME sector. Additionally, psychological, and socio-cultural factors were found to influence these failures. Most participants recommended integrating entrepreneurship and skill development topics into the O/Level and A/Level curricula. Based on these insights, this study proposes several policy recommendations. It suggests that policymakers improve the education system to meet the country’s educational needs more effectively. It also recommends that family members, society, and religious leaders receive education pertaining to start-up development. Furthermore, it advises policymakers and financial institutions to align more closely with entrepreneurial needs to prevent business failures. Lastly, the study emphasises the importance of educating entrepreneurs on maintaining a motivated and positive attitude, addressing the fear of loss, and understanding the psychological aspects of business management. Building upon the brief overview in the abstract, the following introduction lays the foundation for our study, elaborating on the economic concepts and contextual background.
Open Access
A FLOURISHING OR FALTERING ECONOMY: UNEMPLOYMENT IMPACTING SRI LANKAN ECONOMIC GROWTH
(Sri Lanka Journal of Economic Research, 2023-02-03) Atigala, P; Maduwanthi, T; Gunathilake, V; Sathsarani, S; Jayathilaka, R
The primary goal of any economy is to achieve long-term economic growth while maintaining a stable rate of unemployment, which is a macroeconomic factor. Moreover, when unemployment rises, real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) falls short of potential GDP. Accordingly, the purpose of this study is to examine the impact of unemployment on the economic growth of Sri Lanka. By using data from the first quarter (Q1) of 2000 to the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2021 and Vector Error Correction Model (VECM) and Granger Causality are applied to analyse the impact of unemployment on economic growth. The findings indicates that there is a unidirectional causality between unemployment and economic growth, and that there is a long run relationship between these two variables, with both long-term and short-term negative impacts on economic growth in Sri Lanka. Macroeconomic policies need to be formulated to sustain the unemployment rate in line with the current economic realities of Sri Lanka for sustainable economic growth and significant contribution to the creation of new jobs and the expansion of existing employment in Sri Lanka.
Open Access
Factors influencing the timely completion of construction projects in Sri Lanka
(Public Library of Science, 2022-12-15) Abeysinghe, N; Jayathilaka, R
Timely completion is a crucial factor for the success of a construction project, especially in the Sri Lankan context. This study aims to identify the most influential factors that affect the timely completion of construction projects in Sri Lanka. Thirty-nine factors were identified through a comprehensive literature review and experts’ opinions. A questionnaire incorporating the 39 project delay factors was distributed among 163 Civil Engineers, and responses were obtained. Random sampling method was adopted to select the sample. The Relative Importance Index (RII) analysed and ranked the project delay factors. The top ranked significant project delay factors were identified as shortage of skilled subcontractors/suppliers, shortage of labourers (Skilled, semi-skilled, unskilled), financial difficulties of contractors, delay in delivering materials to the site, and Covid-19 pandemic situation. According to the main three respondent types, i.e., clients/owners, contractors and consultants, the contractor related factors was the key group among others that delay a construction project. The scientific value of the study includes assisting the Sri Lankan construction industry to identify the factors affecting the timely completion of construction projects, and developing mitigation methods and strategies. Also, the stakeholders could duly schedule the construction work by identifying areas that need more attention. The contribution of this study would assist stakeholders to adopt a proactive approach by identifying mistakes on their part and minimising potential issues that lead to construction project delays in Sri Lanka. Figures
Open Access
Trade Liberalisation and Poverty in South Asia
(Taylor & Francis Books, 2011) JAYATHILAKA, R; DE MEL, D
The relationship between trade and poverty has long been debated in academic and policy circles. The purpose of this chapter is to contribute to this debate through an in-depth study of the experience of Sri Lanka, the first country in South Asia to break away from the protectionist past by embarking on a decisive process of economic opening in 1977. During the first decade after independence in 1948, Sri Lanka continued with a liberal trade regime, until growing balance of payments problems induced a policy shift towards protectionist import substitution policies from the early 1960s. By the mid-1970s the Sri Lankan economy had become one of the most inwardoriented and regulated outside the group of centrally planned economies. In 1977, Sri Lanka responded to the dismal economic outcome of the closedeconomy era by embarking on an extensive economic liberalisation process, becoming the first country in the South Asian region to do so. Despite major macroeconomic problems and political turmoil, market-oriented reforms have been sustained over the ensuing years. Sri Lanka is now classified as one of the few developing countries outside East Asia that have achieved a clear policy shift from the entrenched import-substitution era. This policy transition has brought about notable structural changes in the economy (Athukorala and Rajapatirana 2000; World Bank 2005b; Kelegama 2006). However, the impact of liberalisation reforms on the incidence of poverty and poverty reduction has not yet been systematically studied. Therefore, the main objective of this chapter is to systematically examine the link between trade liberalisation and poverty reduction through employment channels. The chapter is arranged as follows: Section 2 provides an overview of trade policy shifts and the role of trade in the economy. Section 3 surveys the incidence and patterns of poverty. Section 4 examines key channels through which trade policy impacts on poverty. Section 5 examines some cross-cutting issues. Section 6 reports the results of an econometric analysis undertaken to examine the determinant of poverty at the household level with emphasis on the impact of trade policy. The chapter ends with a summary of key findings and policy inferences.
Open Access
Identification of the Poor in Sri Lanka: Development of Composite Indicator and Regional Poverty Lines
(researchgate.net, 2006-03) Siddhisena, p; Jayathilaka, R
The identification of the poor and the definition of poverty is rather complex since poverty dimensions are multifaceted. Poverty is not just an inadequacy of income to meet basic needs or the inability to spend. It is largely associated with numerous demographic, socio-economic, cultural, environmental, health and psychological factors. The aim of this study is therefore to compute a composite indicator of multidimensional poverty and regional poverty lines to identify the severity of poverty and regional disparities of poverty. The study was based on the two data sets and the main objectives of the study are: Identification of the poor by using a broader definition of poverty; Measurement of regional differences on poverty using the poverty indices and constructed poverty lines; and Development of a Composite Indicator of Multidimensional Poverty to identify poverty by severity and also to examine regional disparities of poverty.
Embargo
Relationship between Socioeconomic and Demographic Characteristics of Persons with Visual Impairment and Blindness to their Levels of Vision: evidence from two geographical areas in Sri Lanka
(Sri Lanka Journals Online, 2022-02) Wickramarachchi, C; Jayathilaka, R; Serasinghe, W; Kollure, L; Kollure, T; Suraweera, T; Thelijjagoda, S
This paper examined the extent to which socio-economic and demographic characteristics are related to the levels of vision of persons with visual impairment and blindness. A mixed method approach was employed in this study. Data collection was conducted in Siyanethugama Village in Hambanthota district and Polpithigama Divisional Secretariat in Kurunegala district in Sri Lanka. The study deployed convenient and purposive sampling techniques. Information was gathered through questionnaires and personal interviews. Overall, results revealed that level of vision vary with several socio-economic characteristics. Age and education were not related to the levels of vision in the Polpithigama region whereas in the Hambanthota region a significant relationship between age and education with levels of vision was observed. Income was not related to the level of vision. Participants’ views and opinions of resources, opportunities, income, employment, and government activities were found to be the driving forces of quality of life related to vision. The study concluded that age and education need to be considered in improving quality of life related to vision and further investigations are needed to determine the relationships between levels of vision and socio-demographic characteristics and to explore perceptions related to vision impairments.
Open Access
Exchange rate sensitivity influencing the economy: The case of Sri Lanka
(PLoS ONE, 2022-06-16) Jayathilaka, R; Thevakumar, p
This particular study investigated the possibility of modelling the exchange rate volatility of the USD/LKR currency pair and analysed whether macroeconomic factors influence the exchange rate. To model the exchange rate volatility, a combination of Autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) and generalized autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity (GARCH) family models were used. The ARDL model was utilized to explore the presence of dynamic short-run and long-run relationships between the exchange rate and macroeconomic variables. The ARDL model empirical findings inferred that a long-run relationship does not exist between any of the examined macroeconomic variables and the exchange rate. In contrast, a short-run relationship exists between exchange rate lag one, exchange rate lag two, inflation, and merchandising trade balance. Thereby, as per the findings improving the merchandising trade balance and minimising inflation would minimise volatility in the exchange rate. All stakeholders who are exposed to foreign exchange volatility including policymakers, importers, exporters, and financial institutions can benefit from this study’s findings. This research focused on the most recent economic phenomena of Sri Lanka and used Gross official reserve as a variable that was rarely used in existing literature on Sri Lankan exchange rate.
Embargo
Sell-Net: Mobile Based Solution to Strengthen the Seller-Buyer Relationship of Small-Scale Businesses in Sri Lanka
(IEEE, 2022-01-21) Wickramarathne, N; Siriwardana, U; Karunarathna, A; Jeremiah, P; Thelijjagoda, S; Krishara, J
As a developing country, Sri Lanka is getting a greater number of people who are using an online application and online purchase for various kinds of items nowadays. The number of users is highly increasing day by day. These online applications and their usages have a major role in the economy of Sri Lanka. The usage of online purchasing is widely observed in Sri Lanka as well it has been observed that most of the delivery persons and small-scale business people are facing many challenges while using these applications in practical ways. This is an application that connects small-scale business sellers directly to the buyer on an online platform. Goods Delivery vehicles are widely spread in Sri Lanka with traveling their paths. Most of the time they traveled with some extra free spaces. Authors are trying to manage these vehicles to give up an extra service and get extra income with proper management. It tries to improve the service to get more people an advantage and build up their businesses. This app aims at three main user areas: seller, delivery persons, and buyer. The buyer can place the order for these goods through the online platform and then the system calculates and find the nearest driver to the seller and choose the driver. From using the app driver sees the best path to the seller. Also, there's an algorithm to calculate ordered goods type, quantity, size and select which vehicle is suited for delivering these goods. The delivery person delivers those goods to the buyer by their path. The System tracks down until the buyer received their goods. and also detecting the fake review also if buyer using this application never get unsatisfied for the practical usage. The outcome of this project will help to develop a reliable seller-buyer relationship for small-scale business parties and improve their business activities.
Open Access
Factors Influencing the Private Cost of Higher Education; the Case of Sri Lanka
(researchgate.net, 2019-03) Gobinath, S; Tharshan, K; Dheerasekara, W. R. H; Gunawardena, M.M.D de S; Jayakody, S. G; Lokeshwara, A. A
The research aims to identify and analyze the cost elements that impact the private cost of university education in Sri Lanka. It focused on determining the private cost of the Bachelor’s degree programs and also the cost elements affecting the total private cost and their significance. Twenty one cost categories were identified through a pilot study and analyzed in order to assess their impact on the private cost and their variability based on field of study, gender, programme duration, and the socio-economic group of undergraduates. The population comprised of students enrolled in private higher education institutes offering Bachelor’s degree programs in Sri Lanka. The study was conducted during the 2016/2017 academic year and the sample contained 419 respondents drawn utilizing the purposive and stratified random sampling procedures. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, while the hypotheses were tested using the Chi-square test for independent sample statistics at 0.05 level of significance. It was found that majority of cost categories (15) had significantly varied between fields of study undertaken while minority of cost categories (10) varied significantly between students’ gender. The study revealed that the identified factors influenced the private cost of university education in the Sri Lankan context.
Open Access
Sustainability of Hotels: Evidence from Tourism Industry in Sri Lanka
(The Mattingley Publishing, 2020-05-24) Alahakoon, A. M. Y. U; Nagendrakumar, N; Madhavika, W. D. N; Weerawardhana, K. W. P. T. R; Wishwadeep, D. D. P; Anushani, D. M. S
The present studyexplores the sustainability level of the Sri Lankan hotels in the tourism industry.It wasobserved that the return on equity has been decreasing in the hotel companies though there is an increasing trend in the tourist arrivals in Sri Lanka(Weerasinghe et al., 2019). This unanswered problem raises the questionof whether the hotels in the tourism industry are heading towards bankruptcy. This study used secondary data from the annual reports of 34 listed hotels, which are registered in the Colombo Stock Exchange during the last five years (2015-2019). This study applied the Altman’s original Z score model (1968) which is the most accurate and reliable in forecastingthe sustainability of the firms by using ratio analysis method. The finding of the study reveals that 91% of the hotels are in the distress zone, 9% safe zone and none in the gray zone. The present study is significant since it shedsthe light, through the empirical evidence on the scary financial environment, which signals the hotels in the tourism industry in Sri Lanka,about the doubt of going concern

Research Papers - Dept of Information of Management

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