Browsing by Author "Senathiraja, R."

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    The learning process (Learning Culture) of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Sri Lanka
    (University of Kelaniya, 2005) Senathiraja, R.; de Alwis, W.P.G.
    The SMEs is playing an important role in the economy development in Sri Lanka. However, the data available shows that the growth rate of SMEs is less than 30% in Sri Lanka .It indicates that most of the entrepreneurs are having inappropriate skills knowledge and attitude for the change and growth in SMEs. In other words, most of the entrepreneurs are having colonial mentality and traditional business practices. Is the situation due to poor learning process or lack of learning culture? The main objective of this study is to examine the nature of learning process of SMEs and to identify the barriers that prevent positive learning. This study is based on selected case studies of SMEs in urban sector. The data were collected through interviewing the entrepreneurs and observing the enterprises. The study found that there is a relationship between the pattern and the level of learning process and success of SMEs. The successful entrepreneurs are having higher level of learning and positive pattern of learning. Entrepreneurs’ main source of learning is through their own experiences and from others experiences. It was found that the weaker aspect of learning is learning from experiments and research and sharing knowledge with others. It is due to the mismatch with the entrepreneur culture and the learning culture which are required for successful learning. In addition, it is found there is no action to institutionalize the new knowledge. It is imperative, that rather than just imitating modern methods and system from others, it is necessary to develop a learning culture within SMEs for the survival and the development of the sector.
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    Success Factors of Immigrant Entrepreneurs in Sri Lanka
    (Faculty of Commerce and Management Studies, University of Kelaniya, 2021) Ediriweera, T.T.; Senathiraja, R.
    Many scholars emphasize that Immigrant Entrepreneurship (IE) is an effective mechanism of improving the economy of ethnic communities and their integration with the host country. Even though immigrant entrepreneurs are crucial for economic development, much attention is not paid to immigrant entrepreneurs in the Sri Lankan context. Therefore, this study focuses on factors that affect the success of Indian Tamil immigrant entrepreneurs in Sri Lanka while understanding the strategies used by them to ensure the success of their businesses. Being a largely untouched area in qualitative research, a qualitative research approach is followed by the researcher. Multiple case study method is used and four leading Indian Tamil immigrant entrepreneurs in the Jewellery industry of Sri Lanka are selected as the sample of the study. The study’s findings show that access to capital, trust, ethnic enclave and supportive bureaucratic process are the most significant factors that affect the success of immigrant entrepreneurs. Strategies including multicultural hybridism, building networks inside and outside their ethnic enclave, risk diversification and maintaining strong ties with their stakeholders have ensured their success and survival in a country where they are an ethnic minority. This study provides a pathway for future researchers to conduct many studies by taking various immigrant entrepreneurs in Sri Lanka in different industries and comparing them.