Volume 11 - Issue 2 - 2022
Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://repository.kln.ac.lk/handle/123456789/29354
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Item Work-Life Balance of Women Academics in Sri Lanka- The moderating effect of Individualism vs. Collectivism(Faculty of Commerce and Management Studies, University of Kelaniya., 2022) Welmilla, I.; Semasinghe, D.M.This study aimed to investigate the relationship between work-family demands with work-life balance (WLB) and the moderating effect of individualism vs. collectivism on the identified relationship of women academics. Nowadays, the education sector in Sri Lanka is required to achieve the global demands and expectations of the new world. Consequently, the Sri Lankan higher education sector is continuously upgrading. Thus, women holding academic positions require attributes of intelligence, knowledge, and skills. Still, women in academics enjoy less freedom in family life relative to their men counterparts. This study is among the first attempts to explore the moderating effect of Individualism vs. Collectivism on the phenomenon of WLB among women academics in Sri Lanka. Focusing on WLB in the academic profession, this study has used the quantitative method to explore the relationship between work-family demand and WLB of culturally diverse women academics. A questionnaire survey was used to collect data from a total of 801 university lecturers in Sri Lankan state universities. The result of Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) indicated that work-family demands are negatively associated with WLB, and the cultural value of individualism vs. collectivism (IC) is observed that significantly moderate the relationship between work-family demands with WLB. These typical working and living conditions of women academics make it interesting and informative to understand their WLB and how the IC culture value influences their WLB. Moreover, this study supports understanding the perception-centred approach characterizing WLB research.Item Business Incubators – A Cure or Curse – A Study focused on the Perception of Young Entrepreneurs in Oman.(Faculty of Commerce and Management Studies, University of Kelaniya., 2022) Rohanaraj T.T.A.Business incubators support the young entrepreneurs to improve their business idea and make their ventures successful. Though this is true, a good number of young entrepreneurs do not focus on joining these incubators due to their differences in perception towards business incubators. This study attempts to throw light on the perceptions of young and prospective Omani entrepreneurs towards business incubators, by focusing on 250 young individuals, following tertiary education in the higher education institutions (HEIs) in Oman. The information collected were analyzed using Principal Component Analysis and Multiple Linear Regression techniques. The results showed that individuals’ perception towards the support mechanism available at the incubators along with professional guidance and network support could play a positive role in encouraging them to join the incubation program, while assumed negativity related to the possibility of losing their cherished vision and possible increase in startup costs, could play a negative role on the likelihood of joining business incubators. These findings will help the incubators, Universities and policy makers to redefine their business practices to improve the effectiveness of their services.Item Gender Stereotypes Changes and Changing Gender Role Behaviors: A Theoretical Perspective(Faculty of Commerce and Management Studies, University of Kelaniya., 2022) Priyashantha, K. G.; De Alwis, A. C.; Welmilla, I.Many scholars have used social role theory to examine gender stereotypes and changes in gender stereotypes. However, it falls short of having the same explanatory power as persons who engage in gradual cognitive processes that alter gender stereotypes and gender role behaviors. In this perspective paper, we argue that the theory of planned behavior can be used to explain the step-by-step cognitive processes of changing gender stereotypes and changing gender role behaviors. It can further be used to examine whether gender stereotypes have changed. The context we selected for this task is. We used two perspectives in this task and examined Sri Lanka as the context for analysis. In the first perspective, we argue that Attitudes, Subjective Norms, and Perceived Behavioral Control influence the Intentions for Changing Gender Role Behaviors. In the second perspective, we argue that Intentions and Facilitative Conditions for Changing Gender Role Behaviors influence the Changing Gender Role Behaviors. Moreover, each perspective provides directions for future research and implications for the theory.Item Impact of Entrepreneurial Orientation and Entrepreneurship Education on Entrepreneurial Intention and Internationalization of Engineer-Entrepreneur Start-ups(Faculty of Commerce and Management Studies, University of Kelaniya., 2022) Mudalige, D.M.While application of entrepreneurship concept is gaining traction in engineering and the entrepreneurship courses embedded in engineering programs increase swiftly, there is a lack of study focusing on how engineering programs enable entrepreneurial experiences in their programmes. The influence of entrepreneurial orientation and entrepreneurship education on achievement entrepreneurial goals of engineers in Sri Lanka remains understudied and uncertain in many circumstances. This necessitates a thorough examination of the mechanisms by which entrepreneurial orientation and education influences entrepreneurial intention. Further, as per international entrepreneurship theory, entrepreneurial intent leads to internationalization intent when facilitated by conducive environment factors. The objective of research is to investigate the influence of entrepreneurial orientation and entrepreneurship education on entrepreneurial intention and internationalization intent of engineer entrepreneurs in Sri Lanka. Three hypotheses related to above links were tested using a validated questionnaire through a survey of 92 engineer-entrepreneurs. The results show that there is a significant positive relationship between entrepreneurial orientation and entrepreneurship education on entrepreneurial intention and internationalization intent of engineer entrepreneurs in Sri Lanka. The variable entrepreneurial intention explained 40% variance of internationalization intention. This research gives valuable inputs and suggestions with respect to entrepreneurship education and promotion of entrepreneurship orientation of engineers in Sri Lanka for policy makers.Item Impact of Industry-Specific and Macroeconomic Factors on Non-Performing Loans of Licensed Banks in Sri Lanka(Faculty of Commerce and Management Studies, University of Kelaniya., 2022) Damayanthi, N. M. M.; Gunawardhana, C. S.This study aims to examine the factors affecting to non-performing loans (NPLs) covering 30 licensed banks (LBs) in Sri Lanka. The selected variables affecting to NPLs considered as industry-specific and macroeconomic variables which can easily identify the internal and external influenced to the position of NPLs of LBs. The study covers the data from 2000 to 2019 exploring autoregressive distributed lag model and checking the robustness of the results using Vector Error Correction Model. The test results revealed that both industry-specific and macroeconomic variables significantly influenced on NPLs in LBs in Sri Lanka. Some industry-specific factors such as loan growth of LBs, net operating profits and deposit rates show the significant positive relationship with NPLs. Among the macroeconomic factors, gross domestic product and unemployment rate had a negative effect on NPLs. However, domestic credit and exchange rate included into macroeconomic variables revealed that positive relationship with NPLs in LBs. The study recommends when releasing loans to businesses including micro, small and medium scale enterprises, need more concentrate about both industry specific and macroeconomic factors due to main constraint of a LB is NPL which may increase or decrease at any time. The findings of this study may use for casting and measuring of NPLs in the future scenarios and to take decisions on all financial sector related industries in Sri Lanka. The research recommends further to maintain higher level of provisions for bad loans if high NPLs are observed in the books of accounts in LBs.Item Reflection of Environmental Citizenship Behaviour through Domestic Waste Disposal Practices: Examination on Youth in Sri Lanka(Faculty of Commerce and Management Studies, University of Kelaniya., 2022) Sachitra, V.The comparison of Environmental Citizen Behaviour (ECB) and waste disposal mechanism is relatively unknown among youth. The study explores how ECB reflects through domestic waste disposal practices by analyzing extend of ECB and waste disposal practices among Sri Lankan youth descriptively. A quantitative cross-sectional online survey was adopted to collect data from students in Sri Lankan universities. ECB was measured with a modified version of the eleven-item scale developed. Measurement properties were assessed using confirmatory factor analysis. Descriptive statistics, cross-tabulation analysis and mean comparison analysis were utilized as data analysis techniques. The study operationalized ECB as eco-initiatives, eco-helping and eco-civic engagement. Relative to eco initiative and eco helping, low practice was reported to eco-civic engagement. Presence of low and moderate ECB, the probability of using waste collection arrangement was high. Respondents with higher level of ECB, applicability of composting the waste is relatively high. However, dumping waste outside premises was also high among highest ECB. Compared to individuals with high and low ECB, burning waste was higher for moderate ECB. The findings suggest that there is a certain level of ECB that is necessary for waste disposal method selection, however when the ECB level optimized, it may affect waste disposal negatively. The joint inspiration of ECB and waste disposal is relatively unknown. In Sri Lanka, which is a developing context, there is a lack of studies about the connection between ECB and waste disposal.