Volume 13 - Issue 1 - 2024
Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://repository.kln.ac.lk/handle/123456789/29358
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Item How Causal Dimensions of Product Harm Crisis Shape Consumer Moral Reputation towards the Crisis Company and Brand Crisis: The Moderating Role of Perceived Societal Damage(Faculty of Commerce and Management Studies, University of Kelaniya., 2024) Samaraweera, G.C.; Lakmali, M.G.T.Irrespective of many management strategies, product harm crises, discrete, well-publicized occurrences in which products are found to be defective and dangerous, are increasing at an accelerating rate throughout the globe with negative consequences for companies and brands. It alarms the importance of scrutinizing this worst nightmare from a new empirical angle while focusing on the ethical eye of consumers. Therefore, the present study attempts to explore how causal dimensions of product harm crisis related to two Attributional grounds (company accused and consumer accused) shape consumer moral reputation towards the crisis company and crisis brand in product harm crises. A self-administrated, questionnaire was used to examine how Sri Lankan (n= 492) and Chinese (n=492) young consumers see company and brand through their ethical eye that reflects their moral reputation. Results revealed that consumer morally views company and brand in an entirely different way under the two Attributional grounds that ultimately affects brand equity and purchase intention of the crisis brand. There exist significant negative and positive links between consumer moral reputations towards the crisis company and crisis brand respectively, under consumer accused crisis. Subsequently, consumer moral reputation towards the crisis company has a significant negative link with consumer brand equity, while consumer moral reputation toward the crisis brand has a positive link with consumer based brand equity under consumer-accused crisis. This study provides new insights for the companies to manage such crises, while safekeeping the brand equity in midst of product harm crisis.Item Pushed or Pulled? Becoming Gig Workers in Sri Lanka(Faculty of Commerce and Management Studies, University of Kelaniya., 2024) Ramamoorthy, V.; Adikaram, A.S.The gig economy is expanding with more workers joining digital labour platforms globally. Gig work has become popular in Sri Lanka as well, especially during the recent past. Since the gig economy is still a relatively new concept in Sri Lanka, the area is understudied. Hence, the objective of this research is to examine what motivates Sri Lankans to become digital workers. We use push-pull theory as the theoretical lens of the study. Based on qualitative research methodology under the interpretive research paradigm, 22 digital workers from various backgrounds were interviewed in person to identify their motives and experiences with web- based digital labour platforms. This study found four important reasons for Sri Lankans to choose digital work, 1) pursuit of passion 2) pursuit of money (earning in foreign currency, gaining financial independence and an additional source of income), 3) pursuit of agency and 4) pursuit of developmental opportunities. While the motivation for participants to join gig work was mainly identified as pull motivation, in some instances it was identified that the participants were also pushed to join gig work.Item Audit Quality and Earnings Management: Evidence from Sri Lanka: Food & Beverage and Hotel Sectors(Faculty of Commerce and Management Studies, University of Kelaniya., 2024) Randenigala, C.J.; Wijesinghe, M.R.P.The company's earnings are crucial for investors' decision-making since they provide emblems about value-creating ability. However, with the possibility of manipulating earnings, the whole purpose of financial reporting becomes valueless. External independent auditing can be identified as a control mechanism that minimises earnings management. This study examines the impact of audit quality on earnings management in the food and beverage sector and hotel companies in the Colombo Stock Exchange from 2013 to 2019. The real earnings management approach and total accruals are used to measure the earnings quality, while audit firm size, presence of the audit committee, frequency of the audit committee meetings and audit timeliness are the audit quality proxies. The study used regression analysis as the main analysis tool, and the findings reveal the existence of earnings management in the food and beverage and hotel sectors. Fascinatingly, audit quality does not significantly impact earnings management in the food and beverage sector, while it exists in the hotel sector. Moreover, companies' size and leverage significantly impact earnings management in both sectors. These findings suggest that effective regulation and monitoring are necessary to improve audit quality for both sectors, especially in the hotel sector companies in Sri Lanka. Hence, enhancing audit quality would minimise earnings management and improve earnings quality, which is instrumental to the decision-makers, especially investors and creditors. Henceforth, we suggest improving the audit quality in the food and beverage and hotel sectors and enhancing disclosure requirements such as research and development expenses, audit time, and non-audit services.Item Effect of Product Evaluation on Purchase Intention toward White Goods: Mediating Role of Country of Origin(Faculty of Commerce and Management Studies, University of Kelaniya., 2024) Chacko, P.S.In the era of globalization, the significance of a product's Country of Origin (COO) in consumer behavior studies has gained prominence. COO serves as an intangible cue influencing consumers' purchasing decisions and product evaluations. Amidst the escalating trends of global trade and competition, COO emerges as a powerful determinant impacting the competitive positioning and business success of brands. Given this context, this study aims to elucidate the influence of COO on the purchasing behaviors of young Indian consumers in the context of white goods. Additionally, the study delves into the intricate interplay among COO, product evaluation, and purchase intention within the home appliances industry in India. Utilizing mediation analysis, the study reveals that product evaluation significantly mediates the relationship between COO and consumers' purchase intentions regarding white goods.Item An Analysis of the Obstructive Factors that Impact the Empowerment of Women Entrepreneurs in Sri Lanka(Faculty of Commerce and Management Studies, University of Kelaniya., 2024) Amarasooriya, D. N. P.; Premarathna, S. P.; Rajadurei, S.The sector of small and medium enterprises is considered an encouraging platform for the economic empowerment of women through participating in economic development as entrepreneurs. The lower productivity exhibited by these SMEs in Sri Lanka was identified as a result of the high participation rate of female entrepreneurs in the informal economy. An unfavourable environment has been created obstructing the transition of women entrepreneurs towards the upper echelon of the business world through diverse impediments. Thus, the research focused on exploring the barriers that hinder the business growth of women entrepreneurs in small and medium-scale enterprises. Accordingly, the research was conducted as secondary research: a literature survey. In Sri Lanka, a minor percentage of female participation in small and medium enterprises occurs due to limited access to financial resources, lack of financial literacy, social prejudices, social and cultural restrictions, and limited opportunities for networking and communicating with external resources. Thus, closing the gender gap in education, giving access to capital through a concerted policy action and providing women entrepreneurs with opportunities to improve their financial literacy and educational level were highlighted as the major recommendations in the study to empower women entrepreneurs to climb the value chain. Women entrepreneurs in small and medium-scale enterprises need to be facilitated with greater access to the domestic, regional and international markets in order to enable them to expand their businesses with productivity and innovation. Thus, vital policy measures should be taken to mitigate the barriers involved in formalizing the business mechanisms while focusing on increasing the benefits that women entrepreneurs can gain through that standardizing process.Item Impact of Employees’ Perceptions of Organizational Downsizing Practices on Their Commitment(Faculty of Commerce and Management Studies, University of Kelaniya., 2024) Erandika, M. D. K.; Ranasinghe, V. R.Sri Lanka is presently facing with its most severe financial crisis in decades, with the building and construction sector being significantly affected. This study aims to investigate whether employees’ perceptions of organizational downsizing practices influence their commitment. It was conducted as a cross-sectional study among a sample of 204 employees from three downsized construction firms in the Colombo District. The sample was selected using a simple random sampling technique, and data were collected through the distribution of an online standard questionnaire. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 23.0, employing descriptive statistics, correlation, and simple regression. The analysis revealed that employees’ perceptions of their organizations’ downsizing practices have a significant positive impact on their levels of affective, continuance, and normative commitment. Effective communication throughout the downsizing process, including before, during, and after, is recommended as a means to mitigate the adverse effects of downsizing on employee commitment.Item Google Classroom as a Pedagogical Tool for Research Supervision: A Case Study of Undergraduate Students’ Perceptions and Experiences(Faculty of Commerce and Management Studies, University of Kelaniya., 2024) Chathuranga, M. M. N.This study explores the perceptions and experiences of students in a blended research supervision context facilitated through Google Classroom. The Constructive Learning Theory is incorporated as a theoretical lens in this study. This empirical study takes the subjective stance often amalgamated into qualitative inquiry. Data collection was done through a structured questionnaire which includes open-ended questions urging to write descriptive answers. Those written responses were collected from seventeen respondents. Thematic analysis was incorporated as the method of data analysis. The study exposes that Google Classroom and face-to-face sessions for research supervision support the research students’ active learning role. While the student is at the heart of the learning process, the research supervisor supports constructivism by acting as a facilitator and advisor. Further, collaborative and cooperative learning is improved in a blended environment, which is acknowledged as a crucial component of constructive learning. In the end, the students see Google Classroom as a practical, helpful, and efficient way to learn. Consequently, blended supervision is identified as a constructive mode of research supervision. Overall, this study will highlight how crucial it is to use e-platforms to create a constructive blended learning environment to improve student satisfaction and quality of learning.