ICBI 2022

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    Transforming Youth Skills for the Future Through Community-Based Projects
    (Faculty of Commerce and Management Studies, University of Kelaniya Sri Lanka, 2022) Wijewantha, Prabhashini
    United Nations identifies transforming youth skills for the future of work as a topmost priority in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030 with a particular focus on the sustainable development goal 04 – Quality Education. In line with this, developing youth skills is essential for achieving SDGs and catering to job market demands. The modern-day employer expects universities to produce graduates with soft skills such as self-confidence, communication skills, leadership, resilience, self-motivation, etc. This requirement demands many university courses to go beyond traditional classroom teaching and exam-based assessments to encourage students to learn by practically engaging in community projects. These projects enable students to develop many competencies, such as working under pressure, handling stress and managing conflicts, and dealing with diverse personality types that employers highly seek. This study is based on a set of community-based projects assigned to the Level 02 undergraduates of the Department of Human Resource Management, University of Kelaniya, under the subject of Managerial Skills Development with the objective of improving the aforementioned skills of students. The project required students to select any community activity related to the targets specified in SDG 04 in groups of 24 members each and undertake it on their own. Altogether six (06) projects were undertaken by the students. Upon completing the projects, students were asked to complete a questionnaire that obtained their responses on the level of different types of soft skills they improved. The objective of the survey was to identify the soft skills improved while undertaking the projects and thereby evaluate the significance of this project work. It is evident through the results in the form of descriptive statistics using the MS Excel software that these community project-based learning activity has extensively facilitated the learners to improve the soft skills demanded in the job market. Thus, this study contributes to furthering universities' teaching and learning activities to develop and prepare employment-ready graduates.
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    Reporting of Sustainable Development Goals; Evidence from Finance Sector Companies in Sri Lanka
    (Faculty of Commerce and Management Studies, University of Kelaniya Sri Lanka, 2022) Priyadarshani, K.R.N.; Munasinghe, M.A.T.K.
    This study’s purpose is to explore how Sri Lankan finance companies report on sustainable development goals (SDGs) and to identify company strategies toward SDGs.This study is conducted by analyzing the content of annual reports, websites, and magazines issued by the listed finance companies in Sri Lanka. The sample includes 10 Commercial Banks for five years from 2017 to 2022. Qualitative content analyses are used to determine the nature of company responses to SDG and link to company strategies. Results show that finance sector companies have disclosed only a few SDGs in initial periods and by now tend to disclose all 17 goals in their reports and commitment to them is emphasized through strategies. Fund allocations for certain SDGs such as for SDG 4-Quality education gradually increased over the years. In reporting related information, companies have used GRI guidelines and included more pictures and images in addition to narratives. In Sri Lanka, there is a scarcity of publications on how businesses are addressing the SDGs. This study provides some answers to that question by focusing on how companies disclose information about SDGs and link them to SDG-focused sustainability strategies. And this paper suggests future research exploring the implementation of sustainable strategies.
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    The Puzzle of Management Graduands Unemployment in Sri Lanka; Entrepreneurship Education as a Way Forward
    (Faculty of Commerce and Management Studies, University of Kelaniya Sri Lanka, 2022) Hansika, W. A. Maduni
    This study's main objective was to study entrepreneurship education's impact on reducing unemployment among management graduates in Sri Lanka. According to the available data of the University Grants Commission, students in the Management stream have a considerably high rate of unemployment than students in other streams. This is one of the timely problems that should be solved immediately since this has a direct influence on poverty, hunger, economic growth, and good health and wellbeing. Although several scholars have attempted to study the impact of entrepreneurship education on unemployment, none of these studies directly links entrepreneurship education and unemployment with sustainable development. According to the University Grants Commission Reports, the study population consisted of approximately 19562 graduands. Four hundred people were selected as the sample per Krejcie and Morgan's table, and the stratified random sampling technique was employed in selecting the sample. A previously developed questionnaire was used to collect data. Regression analysis was used to find the impact of entrepreneurship education on reducing management graduands' unemployment in Sri Lanka. According to the findings, entrepreneurship education significantly impacts the reduction of management graduands' unemployment in Sri Lanka. Entrepreneurship education can reduce poverty, stimulate economic growth, boost innovation, and enhance social and environmental sustainability by reducing unemployment. The paper concluded by offering the importance of recognizing entrepreneurship education to solve the unemployment puzzle.
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    The Impact of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Implementation on Firm Performance: Evidence from Selected Listed Companies in Sri Lanka
    (Faculty of Commerce and Management Studies, University of Kelaniya Sri Lanka, 2022) Fernando, M.W.M.; Weligamage, Susima
    Organizations can play a significant role in advancing the sustainable development agenda by integrating SDGs into their strategies and operations and providing new solutions to global sustainable development challenges. A review of the literature and empirical studies evidenced that implementing sustainable development goals is still in progress in the Sri Lankan business context. This study covers the body of knowledge regarding the impact of incorporating SDGs into business strategies for improved financial performance. This research aims to fill the empirical gap by investigating the impact of implementing sustainable development goals on firm performance in Sri Lanka. Therefore, the main objective of this study is to identify the relationship between the implementation of the SDGs and Firm Performance, to ascertain whether the implementation of these policies helps achieve high Firm Performance and to develop a framework to determine the influence of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on firm performance. This study is an ongoing research project and proposes to collect data from secondary data sources using annual reports, sustainability reports, and official websites of the 40 companies listed in CSE representing ten banks, ten insurance, and 20 finance covering the period of 2017-2021. Level of sustainable development implementation, company size, sector, age, and corporate risk are chosen as the independent variables, and financial performance is measured using ROA and ROE as the dependent variable for the study. Description of the SDG implementation level, descriptive statistics, correlation, and regression analysis will be used to analyze and present the collected data. The study also focuses on finding out the SDG implementation level of selected industries and comparing those levels with other countries’ practices. Based on the results, this study concludes and suggests the future implementation of the SDG in Sri Lankan Companies.
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    Stakeholder Pressure Analysis on the Public Sector Entrepreneurship
    (Faculty of Commerce and Management Studies, University of Kelaniya Sri Lanka, 2022) Herath, H. M. I. U.; Jayawardhana, K.; De Sliva, P. O.
    In emerging nations, public participation in the transition to digital may be limited due to a lack of understanding of technology's benefits. Maintaining a heads-up in prioritizing digital infrastructure platforms and regularizing digital technology in economic activities is essential. The research challenge was addressed by filling the following gaps in the literature and performance with this scenario in a local governmental context. The research design is a framework for researching and acquiring new expertise by addressing a pre-defined scientific questionnaire. It is described as a framework for acquiring new expertise by addressing a pre-defined scientific questionnaire. Since then, this scientific research has been classified as deductive research, starting from existing theories and using them to validate the proposed hypothesis. The researcher approached 125 government entities, with one response from each entity, to acquire a comprehensive and reliable overview of the outcome. The regression study demonstrated the influence of stakeholders' pressure on the digitalized value-oriented entrepreneurship within the government entities in Sri Lanka. The Analytical statistics demonstrate a positive and significant impact of stakeholders' pressure on pushing the government sector entities to move with the new digital value-oriented culture within the organization structure. Descriptive analysis reveals 3.18 of the mean value for innovations and 0.61 of standard deviation according to the descriptive analysis results. It concludes that the attitude toward digitalized entrepreneurship is at a medium-level satisfactory scale in the Sri Lankan government sector. Most top-level management within the government sector qualified with a degree and above qualifications which visualized they were experts in the field of interest with experience and theoretical competencies. The study aims to disseminate a four-pronged generator of premium value in government service to the general public. Findings can be generalized to countries with a democratic culture because all the governing entities approach. SDG 16 Promotes justice and peaceful and inclusive societies and explicitly acknowledges this need.
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    The Role of Social Entrepreneurs in Lessening Poverty in Sri Lanka
    (Faculty of Commerce and Management Studies, University of Kelaniya Sri Lanka, 2022) Kannangara, S.D.P.P; Ranwala, Randini; Surangi, H. A. K. N. S.
    This research examines the role of Sri Lankan social entrepreneurs in lessening poverty. No poverty is the first goal of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and it is the most compelling issue of the twentieth century. Millions of people suffer worldwide, unable to obtain basic human needs such as food, clean water, and sanitation. The World Bank has categorized poverty into two groups: absolute poverty and relative poverty. Absolute poverty refers to having a lack of resources to meet physical needs. In contrast, relative poverty refers to having a lack of resources to live a life relevant to their social status. Social entrepreneurship is about recognizing social problems and achieving social change by employing entrepreneurial principles and operations. The qualitative research method, particularly a discourse analysis, was adopted to collect and analyze data through the lens of Giddens’ structuration theory. Data were collected from four speeches and discussions of social entrepreneurs published as videos on the internet. Findings revealed that social entrepreneurs play a leading role in recreating social systems, providing entrepreneurial skills, and supplying health and education to people. They also teach people to stand on their own two feet and empower ‘others’ to help solve their challenges and create a new future. Social entrepreneurs bring value to the continuous fight against poverty. This research has theoretical and public policy implications. In terms of the theoretical debate, the study contributes to the literature by using Giddens’ structuration theory as a theoretical framework that fosters social entrepreneurial activity in Sri Lankan contexts. From a policymaker’s perspective, this research should be taken into account for the design of policies to support social entrepreneurship by considering the contribution to eradicating poverty.
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    Shaping a “ Dominant Mental Map” to the Sri Lankan Context by Using “No Poverty” (SDG 1) “Zero Hunger” (SDG 2) and “Quality Education” (SDG 4)
    (Faculty of Commerce and Management Studies, University of Kelaniya Sri Lanka, 2022) Paranagama, B. U.
    Sustainable development goals established by United Nations offer an extensive framework to steer a country towards a thriving path socially, environmentally and economically. People tend to absorb information that is consistent with their beliefs. Therefore, public understanding plays a massive role in attaining SDGs in a particular country by triggering public engagement. This study aims to test the relevance of the “dominant mental map relating to sustainability elements” developed by Bain et al. in 2019 in the Sri Lankan context and to develop a new model that works for Sri Lanka to indulge the Sri Lankan culture. The sustainable development goals used in the study are No poverty, zero hunger and quality education (SDG1, 2, and 4, respectively). Research would be carried out in a mixed method. As a quantitative method, an online questionnaire on “understanding people’s worldviews” which combined with Short Schwartz Value Survey, will be disseminated among a sample of 500 Sri Lankans who self-selected to do the online survey. Interviews will be carried out among 20 participants ( Sri Lankans) from different income levels and education levels who will be selected using the snowball sampling technique. SPSS AMOS and interpretive phenomenological analysis will be used as data analysis methods. The analysis results will elicit the conformity of the dominant mental map proposed by Bain et al. (2019) regarding No poverty, zero hunger and quality education. Therefore, it can be used to promote SDGs in Sri Lanka by enhancing the level of understanding of the model's insights. Further, this research will develop a new domestic model that addresses Sri Lankan cultural dimensions. The dominant belief in each country decides the public communication of SDGs. The findings will highlight the opportunity to use the dominant mental model to engage with the Sri Lankan public to achieve 3 SDGs more effectively. The new model will explain a tailor-made way of public communication embedded with Sri Lankan cultural dimensions to address on a deeper level to the public on SDGs ( SDG 1, 2 and 4).
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    Stolen Asset Recovery - An End to Public Fund Mismanagement by PEPs: Applicability of Learned Lessons to Sri Lankan Context
    (Faculty of Commerce and Management Studies, University of Kelaniya Sri Lanka, 2022) Ranasinghe, R.S.L.B.
    Allegations into corruption and public fund mismanagement, and consequentially, money laundering, have reportedly increased at a rapid rate in Sri Lanka. The country predominantly relies on Conviction-Based procedures to curtail such cases. While a rudimentary legal framework is in place, the case success rate for Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs) has been discouraging. UNODC and UNCAC-backed Stolen Asset Recovery (StAR) initiative provides for Non-Conviction Based (NCB) Confiscation, which was initially recommended for local implementation. The study aims to explore and assess the applicability of the Non-Conviction Based confiscation procedure as a legal remedy. A qualitative single case study method is used, and the case analysis is conducted under the holistic approach. The case study selected is from a country that relies on a similar English Law driven common law system for criminal prosecution. Legal applications made in the selected country to foster NCB, can be provisionally applied in the local context due to similarity in the existing framework. Holistic analysis into legal, political, social, and economic impact reveals possible consequences that can be expected in Sri Lanka post-application. The study ensures that the SDG 16 is achieved as far as the specific targets of Substantially reducing corruption and bribery and Developing effective, accountable, and transparent institutions are concerned. The study sets the framework and identifies potential barriers to implementing NCB to address legal and social barriers and to accomplish the universally compatible application.
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    Facing The Tidal Wave of Digital Divide to Foster Virtual Learning Amidst Inequalities: A Facet of Quality Education
    (Faculty of Commerce and Management Studies, University of Kelaniya Sri Lanka, 2022) Ranasinghe, R.S.L.B.
    Despite the use of technology in Higher Education being already in existence, such technological means were limited in context and were merely used in supportive or secondary scope. However, owing to the barriers brought forth by CoViD-19, HEIs shifted entirely to virtual learning, and the continuity of predominantly relying on virtual means was seen throughout the past years, surpassing the pandemic period. ADB had identified detrimental rates of technological accessibility and inequalities in the region in this outset, and the GoSL initially took corrective measures in response to isolated cases of accessibility. Inequalities faced by adult learners had not been studied to material effect. The study aims to identify the digital divide among the concerned population in two broad categories, Internal Accessibility and External Accessibility, with the objective of bringing forth solutions in par with Global Education Coalition aims denoted under SDG 4: Quality Education.Primary data into the internal and external accessibility of adult learners is collected from a stratified random sample using a questionnaire and analyzed through data categorization into a matrix.Each quadrant in the matrix is matched to a predetermined solution that goes in-line with the aims of Global Education Coalition. The study ensures that the existing digital divide and inequalities, are properly identified, and dealt with in accordance of UN guidelines to achieve SDGs. As the digital divide and resource distribution inefficiency are significantly present in the region, findings and the recommended solutions may be replicated in and outside the country.
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    Ensuring Sri Lankan Food Security towards Zero Hunger: Systematic Literature Review
    (Faculty of Commerce and Management Studies, University of Kelaniya Sri Lanka, 2022) Vimalini, N.; Jayaweera, R.
    The second sustainable development goal (SDG) is “zero hunger, establish food security and enhanced health, and encourage sustainable agriculture”. However, even though Sri Lanka has achieved significant progress towards this goal over the past 15 years, achieving the second SDG is questionable due to the current economic crisis prevailing in the country. A country’s food security changes based on its economic conditions; it is necessary to carry out periodic surveys. As the Sri Lankan economy is currently facing a massive economic crisis, furthermore studies are needed to assess the country's current food security status. However, lacking review papers on food security hinders the advancement of Sri Lankan food security research. Therefore, the primary objective of this paper is the systematization and categorization of the extant knowledge on food security in the Sri Lankan context of food security research. The study carried out a systematic literature survey. Published papers were downloaded from well-reputed databases such as Scopus, Web of Science, and Google scholar by using the keywords “food security” and “Sri Lanka” (2000-2022). Twenty-six papers were selected for the final review process. Thematic analysis was used to observe specific patterns of food security research in the Sri Lankan context. The paper discovered five major themes that the food security concept has been researched in the Sri Lankan context. Five recurring themes serve as the basis for the synthesis: i) the Role of home gardening in food security, ii) Measurements and determinants of food security, iii) Social protection and food security, iv) Food security under climate change, and iv) Covid-19 and food security. The government, development partners, and other stakeholders will need to innovate and work together in order to address and achieve the zero-hunger goal. Since this paper identifies several research findings and gaps in the field, it noticeably sets the path for future research on the concept of food security in Sri Lanka.