10th Students' Research Symposium 2021

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Adoption to E-Banking Services by Banking Customers: With reference to Licensed Commercial Banks in Colombo District
(Faculty of Commerce and Management Studies, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2021) Subodha, R.A.K.; Weerasinghe, W.D.J.D.
Introduction: This study investigates factors influencing of Adoption of E-banking by Banking Customers in Sri Lanka with special reference to Colombo District. Accordingly, this study aims at examining the impact of subjective norms, the customer attitude and perceived behavioral control towards E banking on customer adoption in Sri Lanka. Design/Methodology/Approach: This study employs descriptive research design techniques in gathering, analyzing, interpreting and presenting the information. Also, study has used convenient sampling technique with a sample of 200 mobile banking users in Colombo district and the data is collected through a questionnaire. Findings: It has resulted a positive significant impact on customer adoption by e banking by Subjective Norms and Perceived Behavioral Control with R square value of 0.572%. The results and the findings of the study shows which variables have impact on customer adoption towards E Banking and how the age has been impacted on adoption towards E Banking in Sri Lanka. Conclusion: This study can be contributed to increase the adoption for E Banking Services in Sri Lanka.
An Analysis for Factors Affecting Switching Behaviour of Customer in General Insurance Industry in Sri Lanka
(Faculty of Commerce and Management Studies, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2021) Lakmali, G.G.T.; Samarawickrama, A.J.P.
Introduction: The purpose of this study is to identify the factors affect for customer switching in general insurance industry. To achieve this goal 120 questionnaires were distributed among customers who are the general insurance policyholders in Sri Lanka. This study is based on four factors that are affect to customer switching behavior and these factors were extracted from the literature. Design/Methodology/Approach: This study is based on four factors affecting customer switching behavior extracted from the literature. Customer switching is the dependent variable and customer satisfaction, switching cost, customer loyalty, and service quality are the independent variables. 120 questionnaires were distributed among customers who are the general insurance policyholders in Sri Lanka in order to collect data. Findings: The findings of this study disclosed that most important factors that are affect to the customer switching are, customer satisfaction and customer loyalty and the least important factors are, switching cost and the service quality. Conclusion: Insurance companies able to analyze the business with considered factors and predict the customer switching in near future. Researcher has identified customer satisfaction highly affect for the customer switching in general insurance industry referring regression analysis. Therefore, insurance companies have to give their more attention to satisfy customers.
An Analysis of Barriers Towards Customer Intention to Use Mobile Banking Service in Sri Lanka: With Special Reference to Galle City
(Faculty of Commerce and Management Studies, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2021) Maduwanthi, A.M.K.P.; Samarawickrama, A.J.P.
Introduction: This paper provides a summary on the research of an analysis of barriers towards customer intention to use Mobile Banking service in Sri Lanka with special reference to Galle City. The purpose of this paper is to analyse the impact of each barrier (usage barrier, value barrier, risk barrier, traditional barrier and image barrier) on customer intention to use Mobile Banking service. Design/Methodology/Approach: Descriptive research design is used to find out the relationship between barriers and customer intention to use Mobile banking service and research strategy is quantitative. Non- probability purposive sampling method is used, and sample is 250 banking customers in selected 5 licensed commercial banks. Primary data are collected by distributing questionnaire via online and collect data was analysed by using SPSS 23 package. Findings: Hypothesis on tradition barrier, usage barrier, image barrier and risk barrier were supported while only the hypothesis on value barrier was rejected. Conclusion: Tradition barrier, usage barrier, image barrier and risk barrier negatively and significantly impact on customer intention to use mobile banking service excluding value barrier which is insignificant. Mobile banking non- users’ intention to use mobile banking is impacted by these barriers relatively higher level than users’ intention to use mobile banking service in Sri Lanka.
Analyzing The Impact of Customers’ Behavioural Intention to The Use of Mobile Banking in Sri Lanka
(Faculty of Commerce and Management Studies, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2021) Amarasinghe, I.P.; Piyananda, S.D.P.
Introduction: Providing of different types of facilities is an essential factor towards the attractiveness of the customers in banking industry in Sri Lanka. This study attempts to identify the factors that influence the customer’s behavioral intention to use mobile banking applications in Sri Lanka. Design/Methodology/Approach: This study observed s perceived risk, trust, ease of use, usefulness, and the relative advantage as independent variables with behavioral intention to use mobile banking applications as the dependent variable. This is a quantitative study, and the sample will select according to the convenient sampling technique and a self-administered questionnaire will use for the purpose of collecting data. Correlation analysis and regression analysis were used to analyze the collected data. Findings: According to the R-square value in regression analysis 42.90% of variation in customers’ behavioral intention the o use mobile banking is affected by the change in independent variables. According to moderator analysis, age has become a significant moderator on the relationships between perceived trust, perceived usefulness, and perceived ease of use with customers’ behavioral intention to use mobile banking in Sri Lanka. Conclusion: The result emphasizes that the overall model is statistically significant, the researcher concludes that perceived usefulness is the only variable, which reported a significant impact t customers’ behavioral intention to use mobile banking and age has no significant moderation impact on the relationships between perceived risk and relative advantages with the dependent variable.
Barriers in Progressing Micro Insurance Scheme in Self Employment: With Special Reference to North Central Province
(Faculty of Commerce and Management Studies, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2021) Senanayake, S.D.L.; Abeysekera, R.
Introduction: The primary goal of this research is to identify the major barriers or variables that influence the implementation of microinsurance schemes in the north-central province, with a focus on the self-employment sector. Design/Methodology/Approach: Based on the literature review, the conceptual framework was formulated with independent variables and a dependent variable. Independent variables selected for the study are willing to pay, trust in insurance, accessibility, simplicity and flexibility. The dependent variable is the implementation of microinsurance. Questionnaires were distributed to collect data in two districts of Northcentral Province. The study followed the simple random sampling method for data collection. The sample size was 140. Descriptive statistics and linear regression models were used for data analysis and SPSS was used as statistical software to analyse the data. Finding: According to the findings willingness to pay and trust in insurance significantly influence the implementation of microinsurance. Conclusion: This research help develop microinsurance programmes in Sri Lanka which are not developed at the moment.
A Comparative Evaluation Between the Economic Crisis (2008) and the Covid-19 Impacts in the Stock Market
(Faculty of Commerce and Management Studies, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2021) Fernando, N.; Piyananda, S.D.P.
Introduction: This study determines the most influenced crisis between the economic crisis (2008) and the COVID-19 pandemic in the share market performance. Design/Methodology/Approach: The study sample consists of six Asian countries, and the data were collected from 2006 to 2008 for the economic crisis and from June 2018 to June 2021 for the COVID-19. This study has been used the positivist research paradigm, deductive approaches, and quantitative research methods to track down the most influenced crisis. Regression analysis (based on the ARIMA model), descriptive analysis, and ARIMA model (for forecasting) were employed to analyze the data. Log returns of each country have been used as the dependent variable, while Lags of the log-returns and dummy variable (Pres-crisis and during the crisis) have been used as the independent variables. Findings: Both crises had shown a negative impact on the share market. However, based on the study results among the two crises, the economic crisis had created a significant negative impact compared to the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, During the economic crisis period (2008), DSEX had shown the highest negative impact where NEPSE in the COVID-19 recession. ASPI is the least affected index during both phases among the six indices. However, according to the ARIMA model, future ASPI returns will be negative. Conclusion: The final result emphasizes that both crises have negatively affected the share market performance while the economic crisis had created the highest impact. Therefore, there is a negative relationship between the crisis and the share market performance.
Corporate Social Responsibility: Business Response to Covid-19 Pandemic in Sri Lanka
(Faculty of Commerce and Management Studies, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2021) Samarasinghe, R.I.L.; Herath, H.N.M.P.
Introduction: This study attempts to explore business responses to the COVID-19 pandemic to support their vital stakeholders including internal (employees) as well as external (customers, and communities) stakeholders and society as a whole through CSR initiatives on a large scale. Design/Methodology/Approach: This is a qualitative research which based on secondary data. The study population include the all the listed companies in the CSE in Sri Lanka and top 25 companies selected as sample group using Judgmental sampling method. The present research on the contemporary phenomenon considered multi-items as authentic data sources such as press releases, newsletters, letters to shareholders and company annual report that retrieved from the company’s respective website in the research line up. Secondary data was extracted from multi-items using data collection sheet. In this study, Applying the manual content analysis method and qualitative data coding technique and research outcomes are presented in the figures and tables with adequate descriptions. Findings: The outcomes of this research report that sampled companies show respect to their stewardship relations between employees, customers and communities during the COVID-19 pandemic through CSR initiatives. Conclusion: The Corporations have contributed to several activities toward the stakeholders such as Employees, customers, Community and society during the pandemic period. Present study adds new knowledge on CSR concept on financial and productivity during a crisis situation and encourages to corporation’s response to the stakeholders and society during this kind of hardest situations.
Covid 19 and Financial Performance-Evidence from Companies Listed in Colombo Stock Exchange
(Faculty of Commerce and Management Studies, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2021) Lakshan, B.T.; Ranjani, R.P.C.
Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant economic impact not only to Sri Lanka but also around the world. One of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on Sri Lankan's Gross domestic production (GDP) growth is fall in 16.4% in the second quarter of 2020 once pandemic started to spread in Sri Lanka. (CBSL, 2020). The purpose of this study is to see how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the financial performance of companies listed in the Colombo Stock Exchange. Design/Methodology/Approach: The sample consists of 143 firms, which are split into fifteen sectors proportionately. The data are collected over 2019/20 financial statements as per before the Covid 19 and 2020/21 financial statements as per during the Covid 19. The variables are profitability ratio, leverage ratio, short-term activity ratio, and liquidity ratio which are used to check whether there is a statistically significant difference between before and during the Covid 19 pandemic. Data are evaluated through the Wilcoxon Singed rank test between two sets of paired data. Findings: Based on the result, there is a statistically significant difference in the profitability of the companies during the Covid 19 pandemics when compared to before Covid 19 pandemics. And leverage ratio, short-term activity ratio, and liquidity ratio are not statistically significant difference with the Covid 19. Conclusion: As per the results of the analysis, Covid 19 pandemic has significantly impacted to the profitability of the companies listed in the Colombo Stock Exchange. There is no significant impact of the Covid 19 pandemic to the leverage, Liquidity, and short-term activity ratio of the companies.
Covid-19 Pandemic and Industry Group Performance of the Colombo Stock Exchange
(Faculty of Commerce and Management Studies, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2021) Ramanayake, D.C.; Perera, L.A.S.
Introduction: This research study examines the impact of the lockdown announcement imposed by the government on the different leading industry groups of the CSE such as Health Care Equipment and Services, Banks, Energy, Capital Goods, Transportation, etc. Design/Methodology/Approach: Event study methodology has been employed to analyze the data. Lockdown declaration day has been considered as the event date for this study. I have taken a 40-trading day event window, i.e., 20 trading days before and 20 trading days after the date of the announcement. Secondary data is used in the study and the same is collected from the CSE data library. Using MS-Excel, three models have applied for analysis—mean-adjusted, market-adjusted, and risk-adjusted abnormal return. Findings: In the initial lockdown analysis, on the date of announcement, all the industries show negative abnormal returns under the mean adjusted abnormal return model. Three industry groups (Energy, consumer services and insurance) show positive impressive abnormal return at a significant level under the market adjusted abnormal return model. Conclusion: Most of the sectors performed positively and gained abnormal returns after the announcement of lockdown. It showed that these sectors steeply recovery after falling down the market index. That is indicate that investors were confident that the impact was occur due to the abnormal situation of the market and not due to the fault or issue of these industries. Based on the findings, investors may decide to hold their investments in the stock market that has recovered during the period. This is the first study to analyze the impact of the announcement of lockdown due to Covid-19 on the industry group performance using the event study method in the context Colombo Stock Exchange.
Determinants of Financial Performance of listed Insurance Companies in Sri Lanka
(Faculty of Commerce and Management Studies, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2021) Dilrukshi, M.A.A.P.; Chathurika, H.L.D.J.
Introduction: Due to the intangible nature of insurance products and the lack of transparency in the market, the criteria that affect the financial performance of an insurance company are complex. As a result, the financial performance of insurance companies is important to various stakeholders, such as insurers, insurance intermediaries, and policymakers. The purpose of this study is to investigate the factors that determine the financial performance of insurance companies in Sri Lanka. Design/Methodology/Approach: The sample consists of 5 listed insurance companies, including both of life and non-life insurance companies in Sri Lanka, over 2015-2020. The analyses include five variables which internal factors are liquidity ratio, leverage ratio, asset turnover, and external factors are the growth of the economy and interest rate. The financial performance is measured using return on asset (ROA) and return on equity (ROE). Descriptive statistics and regression models were used to analyze the data set through Stata-13 Software. Findings: This study's findings emphasize that there is a significant negative relationship between the liquidity, leverage, and interest rate on return on equity (ROE) of the listed insurance companies in Sri Lanka. In addition to that, asset turnover and growth of the economy have a significant positive relationship between the return on equity (ROE) of the listed insurance companies in Sri Lanka. Conclusion: The managers need to monitor liquidity and leverage internally to achieve higher financial performance while facing external shocks
Determinants of Financial Performance of listed Insurance Companies in Sri Lanka
(Faculty of Commerce and Management Studies, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2021) Dilrukshi, M.A.A.P.; Chathurika, H.L.D.J.
Introduction: Due to the intangible nature of insurance products and the lack of transparency in the market, the criteria that affect the financial performance of an insurance company are complex. As a result, the financial performance of insurance companies is important to various stakeholders, such as insurers, insurance intermediaries, and policymakers. The purpose of this study is to investigate the factors that determine the financial performance of insurance companies in Sri Lanka. Design/Methodology/Approach: The sample consists of 5 listed insurance companies, including both of life and non-life insurance companies in Sri Lanka, over 2015-2020. The analyses include five variables which internal factors are liquidity ratio, leverage ratio, asset turnover, and external factors are the growth of the economy and interest rate. The financial performance is measured using return on asset (ROA) and return on equity (ROE). Descriptive statistics and regression models were used to analyze the data set through Stata-13 Software. Findings: This study's findings emphasize that there is a significant negative relationship between the liquidity, leverage, and interest rate on return on equity (ROE) of the listed insurance companies in Sri Lanka. In addition to that, asset turnover and growth of the economy have a significant positive relationship between the return on equity (ROE) of the listed insurance companies in Sri Lanka. Conclusion: The managers need to monitor liquidity and leverage internally to achieve higher financial performance while facing external shocks
The Determinants of Life and General Insurance Demand in Sri Lanka
(Faculty of Commerce and Management Studies, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2021) Abesekara, M.S.; Perera, L.A.S.
Introduction: The main purpose of this study is to identify how macroeconomic, demographic and socioeconomic factors affect the life and general insurance demand in Sri Lanka and the most significant factors affecting life and general insurance demand in Sri Lanka. Design/Methodology/Approach: Income, education, inflation, urbanization, and finance sector development are used as independent variables and life and general insurance density are the dependent variables of this study. This research uses secondary data, and the sample of this study is the years 2000 to 2019. These data are collected from different sources. analyzing method of this study is multiple regression analysis Findings: income, urbanization has a significant effect on life insurance demand in Sri Lanka. Income, urbanization and finance sector development have a significant effect on the general insurance demand in Sri Lanka. Education, inflation are insignificant for both life and general insurance demand in Sri Lanka. Conclusion: Income level and urbanization have a significant effect on both life and general insurance demand in Sri Lanka. So, increasing income levels and urbanization will be helpful for increase the insurance demand of the country. Also, insurance companies can focus on high-income people and people who live in urban areas to increase their insurance product sales. Developing the finance sector of the country will help develop the general insurance industry of the country.
Dividend Policy and Firm Performance of Banking and Finance Companies in Sri Lanka
(Faculty of Commerce and Management Studies, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2021) Samarasinghe, K.I.L.; Ranjani, R.P.C.
Introduction: Companies' dividends are considered significant because of the information value of dividends. This study focuses on relationship between dividend policy and firm performance of banking and finance sector companies listed in Colombo Stock Exchange. Design/Methodology/Approach: The Sample of 20 banking and finance sector companies was selected based on Market Capitalization, Dividend Declaration and Availability of Annual Reports for 10-year time period. Regression, Correlation Analysis and Descriptive Statistic were used to analyse the data. Econometrics Views (E-Views) Statistical package was used to analyse the data. Findings: The findings indicate that. there is no significant relationship between EPS and Firm Performance and there is a significant relationship between DPO, DPS and Firm Performance. Conclusion: As per the results of the analysis it can be concluded that dividend pay-out ratio and dividend per share have significant impact on performance and there is no significant relationship between earning per share and performance of Banking and Finance sector companies in Colombo Stock Exchange in Sri Lanka.
E-Banking and Financial Performance of Commercial Banks in Sri Lanka
(Faculty of Commerce and Management Studies, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2021) Madubhashini, M.P.; Samarawickrama, A.J.P.
Introduction: Advancement of the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and rapid increase in the usage of ICT in financial markets can be identified as one of the main reasons behind this increased complexity and competition. In fact, ICT helps to deliver variety of banking services to the clients at a relatively lower cost. Only a limited number of studies have been conducted in Sri Lankan context to identify the impact of e-banking for profitability of banks in Sri Lanka. Hence, this study critically investigated the impact of e-banking on bank performance in Sri Lanka. Design/Methodology/Approach: To investigate the impact of e-banking for financial performance of the commercial banks in Sri Lanka, this study selected five systematically important commercial banks in Sri Lanka. The sample is composed of three private and two state-owned banks. The data was gathered over the period of 2012 to 2020 in relation to number of ATMs, fee and commission income, total assets, number of branches, PBT and covid impact based on the published annual reports of each bank. Furthermore, this study gathered information relating to e-banking services of each bank from the bank’s websites to investigate the extent of e-banking services which banks have adopted. Findings: This study used both descriptive and statistical techniques to investigate the impact of e-banking on bank performance. Results suggest that e-banking has significantly improved the bank performance in Sri Lank over 2012 to 2020 and covid have negative impact with PBT. Implications: This study discovered that e-banking increases the bank performance by offering value added products and services through ICT banks take remedial actions to develop mobile banking, it positively affects to improve the bank performance Additionally, the study can also be extended to evaluate whether e-banking has helped to improve bank performance especially in rural areas. Further, this study found that total assets and number of branches have affected to increase the financial performance of commercial bank.
Effect of Ex-Ante Risk Management on Financial Stability During Covid 19 Pandemic: Evidence from Food, Beverage & Tobacco Sector Firms in Sri Lanka
(Faculty of Commerce and Management Studies, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2021) Sandamali, G.D.U.; Premarathne, W.G.I.D.
Introduction: With the covid 19 outbreak around the globe, scholars have paid attention to investigate whether firms can ensure their financial stability during the COVID-19 pandemic by having ex-ante risk management. Thus, this study aims to identify the effect of ex ante risk management on financial stability of food, beverage, and tobacco sector firms in Sri Lanka during the covid 19 pandemic. Design/Methodology/Approach: The researcher has used a sample of 21 listed companies in food, beverage, and tobacco sector to assess the impact of risk awareness and risk management tools disclosed in annual reports. Data has been gathered using secondary sources and quarterly figures of 2019, 2020 and first two quarters of 2021 have been used for the analysis. Findings: According to the study findings, firms that disclose their risk management tools declares that they have boosted asset utilization and liquidity during the Covid 19 epidemic when compared to before the pandemic. Furthermore, the researcher discovered that inventory management is the most effective risk management tool for ensuring financial stability for businesses during Covid 19 pandemic. Conclusion: The study concludes that there is a significant connection between ex ante risk management and financial stability and also COVID-19 epidemic has a significant impact on the financial wellness of firms. The outcome of the research points out the usefulness of ex-ante risk management in order to mitigate risks in the case of a pandemic. Thus, the study contributes both in practice and knowledge domain.
Effect of Financial Literacy on Firm’s Performance of Micro-Enterprises in Sri Lanka (With Special Reference to Gampaha District)
(Faculty of Commerce and Management Studies, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2021) Madhushani, J.M.N.; Abeysekera, R.
Introduction: The purpose of this study is to determine the relationship between financial literacy and the firm’s performance of micro-enterprises. This study focused on how financial literacy factors such as financial knowledge, financial behaviour and financial attitude affect the firm’s performance of micro-enterprises in Sri Lanka. Design/Methodology/Approach: The quantitative approach was used to carry out the research and data were collected from 150 micro-enterprises located in the Gampaha District. In this study, the main source of the data gathering approach was questionnaires. Descriptive statistics, independent sample T-test, ANOVA test, and multiple regression were used to analyze the survey data using the SPSS software. Findings: The study findings demonstrate that financial knowledge, financial behaviour and financial attitude significantly impact the firm’s performance of the micro-enterprises. The study's adjusted R square is 84.4 per cent which indicates that the financial literacy elements in this study explain 84.4 per cent of financial literacy on a firm’s performance. Conclusion: According to the research findings, financial literacy has a bigger impact on microenterprises’ performance. As a result, the researcher proposes that the efforts be expanded to offer micro-entrepreneurs a higher degree of financial literacy through training and skill development.
Effect Of Financial Performance on Share Prices During the Covid-19 Pandemic: Special Reference to The Listed Bank, Financial, And Insurance Sector in Sri Lanka
(Faculty of Commerce and Management Studies, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2021) Apasinghe, N.V.N.N.; Fernando, J.M.B.R.
Introduction: COVID-19 is a major health emergency recognized around the world. The investors invest in various types of investment avenues such as shares, treasury bonds, treasury bills, debentures etc. Among these instruments, investment in company shares is an attractive way of profitable investment as far as the capital market is concerned. Most of the stakeholders are mainly concerned about the share price of the entity in the process of resource allocation. Hence this study examines the effect of financial performance on share prices during the COVID 19 pandemic. Design/Methodology/Approach: This study used panel data consisting of 20 listed banks, financial and insurance sector in Sri Lanka covering the period from 2018 to 2020 at the Colombo Stock Exchange. Return on assets, return on equity, return on investment, earnings per share were used as financial performance measures and used two control variables: Board size and Firm Size. The study employed Ganger Causality test to find the effect of financial performances on the selected companies share prices. Findings: The study reveals that financial performance variables are Granger-cause average share price at its levels of significance during the COVID 19 pandemic consistent with the literature. Conclusion: This study can assist the banking, finance, and insurance sector in Sri Lanka to get a better understanding of financial performance on the share price during a pandemic. Stakeholders and bank managers will be able to use the results and findings from the results of this study and they can make more reliable and effective decisions during a pandemic.
The Environmental Disclosure Practices and Firm Performance: Evidence from Manufacturing Sector in Sri Lanka
(Faculty of Commerce and Management Studies, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2021) Lakshani, E.A.A.; Perera, L.A.S.
Introduction: This research study aims to identify how the environmental disclosure practices influence the firm performance with the moderating effect of environmental performance. Design/Methodology/Approach: The Sample of the study consist with of 15 listed companies in manufacturing industry in Sri Lanka which will mainly focus on the financial years of 2014 to 2020. Also, it is expected to collect data relating to environmental disclosure with the help of an environmental disclosure index developed by Clarkson et al. (2008) and the data will be collected from the annual reports and the sustainability reports of the companies in the sample. Using the correlation and regression analysis it has been tested whether there is a direct relationship between the environmental disclosure and the firm’s financial performance through this research study. Further, it has also been performed an interaction effect of regression analysis to study the moderating effect of environmental performance on the direct relationship between environmental disclosure and firm market value. Findings: As per the findings of this study it was revealed that there is an insignificant positive relationship between environmental disclosure and ROE as well as an insignificant negative relationship between environmental disclosure and ROS. Therefore, it can be concluded that there is no systematic relationship between environmental disclosure and firm performance. Moreover, no significant moderating effect of environmental performance was identified from this research study. Conclusion: The results indicated that there was no systematic relationship between the environmental disclosure and firm performance since the correlation is not significant. As an additional analysis, a panel regression was run, and it also indicated a positive relationship between environmental disclosure with respect to the ROE and ROS.
Exploring the Effectiveness of Microfinance in Promoting Microenterprises Growth – Special Reference with Gampaha District
(Faculty of Commerce and Management Studies, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2021) Wickramasinghe, W.A.M.N.; Abeysekera, R.
Introduction: Access to microfinance is necessary to create an economic environment that enables Micro-Enterprises to grow and prosper. Therefore, the researcher wants to find out the factors that would contribute to this. This research study explores the effectiveness of microfinance in promoting microenterprises growth from the Gampaha District evidence. Design/Methodology/Approach: The researcher has purposively selected four microfinance institutions in Gampaha, and data were gathered based on the twelve in-depth interviews through a semi-structured questionnaire. Findings: The findings reveal that Microfinance Institutions (MFIs) provide microcredit to existing businesses rather than start-ups. Further, they provide mainly financial services overlooking non-financial services. Moreover, they prefer to use individual lending over group lending. MFIs use business expansions, income and profitability, employability and asset growth as the yardsticks to measure the effectiveness of microfinance programmes. Conclusion: The findings will help the development of microfinance institutions and achieve microenterprises owners’ objectives
Factors Affecting Clothing Sector Small Scale Business Performance Under Covid 19: Evidence from Colombo District Sri Lanka
(Faculty of Commerce and Management Studies, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2021) Mohamed, M.U.; Gunasekara, H.M.A.L.
Introduction: This study examines factors affecting the small-scale clothing business performance under COVID 19. Design/Methodology/Approach: This study used small clothing business performance as the dependent variable. The price, quality, openness economy and presence of the branded store are used as the independent variables. The Simple and Multiple Linear Regression models were used to analyze the data. Findings: The findings of the study show that the clothing sector small business performance has a negative significant impact on price. The quality has a positive significant impact on the clothing sector small business performance. The Openness economy and the presence of branded store has a negative significant impact on the clothing sector small business performance. Conclusion: The findings of this study show that during COVID 19, the demand for clothing SMEs is elastic. Further, clothing SMEs are threatened by international competition.