Issues and Challenges of Born Global Entrepreneurs: Information & Communication Technology (ICT) Exporters in Sri Lanka

Abstract

There has been a growing interest in early and rapidly internationalizing firms, known as ‘Born Globals’, in place of a novel phenomenon in International Entrepreneurship (IE) domain. Despite extensive research, the BG phenomenon is still under explained and hence, theory and practice are still developing. Therefore, the main aim of this study is to investigate the nature, characteristics, performance, issues and challenges of BGs in the context of Sri Lanka with special reference to Information and Communication Technology (ICT) exporters, who exhibit those characteristics of born globals. The study uses the descriptive approach and the sample includes ICT exporters in Sri Lanka. The findings of the study reveal that the main challenges and the issues, facing by ICT exporters in Sri Lanka are; the structural composition of the ICT industry, lack of skillful human resources, heavy dependency on US & Europe markets, costly infrastructure facilities & its poor condition and lack of global image as an IT destination.