International Conference on Sri Lanka Studies (ICSLS)
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Item Technology Transfer and Management of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) with Special Reference to Rubber Industry in Sri Lanka(University of Kelaniya, 2005) Dasanayaka, S.W.S.B.; Perera, P.V.V.U.Sri Lanka was basically an agro-based economy at the time of independence. Due to 500 years of Western colonization and the recent economic liberalization, Sri Lankan economy became inclined towards the import-substituted and export-oriented enterprises. To meet the current global situation, there is a need to strengthen the level of technological capability of those enterprises, especially the SMEs. Technology is often considered as a determinant factor of the SMEs' competitiveness and sustainability under present globalization situation. According to the research, new technologies will not only lead to fundamental changes in their level of technological capability, but also lead to the formation of new SMEs and change the profile of existing ones rather than enhancing their overall level of technological capability. This study was designed to analyze the level of technological capability in SMEs together with the strategy, process and management of technology transfer in Sri Lanka. As a local resource based industry, the rubber industrial sub sector is identified as one of thrust areas to develop SMEs in Sri Lanka. Further, the technology transfer and its dependence on the technological factors and, social and economic issues are to be considered. The model of technology transfer and development for SMEs in Sri Lanka was well supported by the findings showing a regression relationship from the questionnaire survey covering 30 SMEs in the rubber industrial sub sector. A national policy framework for adopting and developing an appropriate technology for ensuring technology management is the major issue addressed in this study. It revealed that there is a necessity to enhance the level of technological capability as well as the management and commercialization of technology for SMEs and organizations through proper guidance and assistance.Item Technology Issues in the Sri Lankan Tea Industry with an Emphasis on Regional Plantation Companies: A Case Study based on Two Selected Regional Plantation Companies(University of Kelaniya, 2005) Tennakoon, K.L.U.S.; Dasanayaka, S.W.S.B.Tea Industry of Sri Lanka, the largest net foreign income generator to the country is a key component in the Sri Lankan economy, contributing to 17% of the export income. The direct and indirect labour employed in the tea industry is about 650,000, which is about 11% of the total workforce of the country. In today’s dynamic and turbulent environment, industry survival and growth depends on appropriate technology integration and change management in work practices. As identified in the research, the Sri Lankan tea industry with a history of over a century is facing global challenges requiring certain changes to the technology, work practices, work norms and attitudes to overcome present problems faced by it. This research work attempts to look into appropriate technology integration methods to develop and sustain the tea industry of Sri Lanka with an emphasis on RPCs. The objectives of this paper is to assess the present technology status in the Sri Lankan tea industry; identify the technology gaps along the value chain in comparison to local and global best practices; Benchmarking against the best practices and to identify future technology strategies to improve competitiveness in Sri Lankan tea sector. The data collection was mainly based on interviews conducted through a wide category of people involved in different areas related to the tea industry. Two plantation management companies, a lead performer and an average performer in the industry were selected as the main data sources. The research scope extended from the field related activities to the production of tea and did not focus on the market development aspects of the tea industry. Based on Porter’s Value Chain Model of primary and support activities, a simplified model for the industry was developed. This model was used to analyze the processes involved and the present technology status of the industry. The research work enabled the identification of prevailing technology gaps in the Sri Lankan tea sector in comparison to the local and global best practices. Further, an attempt has been made to identify the technology integration issues, which are the underlying reasons for the technological gaps seen amongst industry players. Based on identified reasons, several strategies in overcoming the shortfall in technology integration have been suggested.Item The Case of Sri Lankan Fisheries Sector: Case Study Based on Selected Rural Fishing Areas and the Institutions Involved in Fisheries Sector(University of Kelaniya, 2005) Perera, L.B.; Dasanayaka, S.W.S.B.Sri Lankan fisheries sector contributed nearly 2.5 per cent to the country's national income which is a marginal increase by 0.6 compared to the GDP of negative 6.1% in 2003. Through out the Sri Lankan coastal line there are about 175,000 fishermen actively engaged in fishing industry, providing nutritious food, which comprises 57% of total animal protein (NARA 1998) consumed by the Sri Lankan. In the current context the fisheries sector is faced with a greater challenge for it has lost almost 80% of its material resources. Over 24,000 boats were destroyed and generally hundred of small businesses and entrepreneurs were badly affected through damage to property, premises, stocks, machinery as well as employees who were displaced, injured or perished. Apart from the tsunami catastrophe there are other burdensome issues such as technological gap, improper management in all types of activities, economic recession, political changes, cultural and attitude changes pertaining to the fisheries sector. It is clear that the fisheries sector is faced with new global challenges to uplift the livelihood of the devastated fishermen back to normalcy whilst increasing the level of its operations. Therefore, the research has been carried out to identify the appropriate technology and the key stakeholders of the fisheries sector to introduce a new framework with following objectives; Ascertain the history of technological development in Sri Lankan fisheries sector; develop a framework by integrating key stakeholders to eradicate poverty through technology in fisheries sector; identify future technology development directions in the fisheries with respect to ICT usage and find solutions to eradicate poverty through technology to improve the fisheries sector. The data collection was mainly based on interviews conducted in NARA, Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture and the questionnaire based interviews were done in rural fishing villages in Hambantota district. The research work enabled the identification of prevailing technology gaps in the Sri Lankan fisheries sector in comparison to the local and global best practices. Further, an investigation has been carried out to identify integration of key stakeholders to have smooth resource flow. Based on identified reasons, several strategies in overcoming the poverty of rural fishermen and conceptualized framework have been suggested.