Roles of Technology, Innovation, and Finance in Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in Sri Lanka

Jayasooriya, Sujith (2020): Roles of Technology, Innovation, and Finance in Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in Sri Lanka.

Abstract

Roles of technology, innovation and finance in Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) sector for economic development process is critical in emerging Asia. Growth, innovation, and productivity enhancement of the SME sector is always limited, and not up to its potential in Asia; Sri Lankan SME sector is not deviated from this dilemma. The paper discusses the case of project in economic enterprises development services and its approaches in supply-side management of SMEs in Sri Lanka. A baseline evaluation survey of 1200 SMEs was conducted to identify the potential and constrains for the supply side of the SMEs to promote technology adoption, innovation and financing in line with the national SME sector development policies. The results are discussed in three distinguished theses: (i) Enabling role of the technology and finance: creating enabling environment for the smooth procedures, capacity building, venture capital, financial development and banks, credit to the private sector and loans; (ii) Facilitative role of the finance and technology: application of technology and adaptation to the skill development and connections, information flow, and financial capacity; (iii) Innovative role of the finance and technology: microfinance, microinsurance, and transactions. The evidences show that lack of access to finance and technology demotes capacity building and skill training, information flow, business environment and networking of the SMEs. Hence, integrative solutions of finance and technology increase management of risks, adoption and enhanced networking for the enterprise development. These two pillars, technology and finance, become catalyst in the supply-side of the SMEs. Provoking business environment through technology adoption and financial sector development policies improving human capital, entrepreneurship and innovation enhance the performance of SMEs to thrive sustainable growth and development.

• Item Type: MPRA Paper
• Language: English
• Keywords: Business Environment, Finance, Innovation, SMEs, Technology
• Subjects: L - Industrial Organization > L2 - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior > L26 - Entrepreneurship; L - Industrial Organization > L5 - Regulation and Industrial Policy > L53 - Enterprise Policy; O - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth > O1 - Economic Development > O14 - Industrialization ; Manufacturing and Service Industries ; Choice of Technology; O - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth > O3 - Innovation ; Research and Development ; Technological Change ; Intellectual Property Rights > O31 - Innovation and Invention: Processes and Incentives; O - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth > O3 - Innovation ; Research and Development ; Technological Change ; Intellectual Property Rights > O32 - Management of Technological Innovation and R&D

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