Abstract:
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.
