Identifying the Factors Affecting University Students’ E-Businesses

Abstract

University students encounter economic challenges in the complex technological world, and finding part-time work can provide benefits such as earning money, gaining experience, and developing skills, although it is difficult to avoid the potential negative consequences on academic performance. This paper aims to identify influencing factors on e-business in selected universities in Sri Lanka. This study was conducted from September to October 2022, specifically in the north and eastern provinces, with 232 participants focusing on the faculties of Science, Engineering, Technology, Management and Commerce. The study uses univariate and bivariate analysis techniques, including binary logistic regression to identify the factors influencing e-business behavior among university students and explore the relationships between variables, ensuring accurate and reliable results. The study revealed that the majority were male, with a high proportion of Sinhala students in the sample. Most students own laptops /desktops and smartphones, have weekly expenses between LKR 3,000 to LKR 5,000, and prefer to work in their field of study. Also, language issues are a major issue in the university environment and are usually reported as a challenge, while many students have roommates engaged in e-business. Overall, students exhibited average competencies in computer and English literacy skills. Factors such as device usage, weekly expenses, preferred field of work, faculty, level of study, e-businesses among roommates, computer skills before entering the university, and IT courses followed were found to be the most significant factors affecting e-business among university students.