Human Resource Challenges to develop eBusiness in Sri Lanka, - A Case Study


This is a case study done by Dr, Kennedy D. Gunawardana,  (Ph.D.) , Senior Lecturer, Department of Accounting , University of Sri Jayewardenepura , Nugegoda , Sri Lanka

You can find the full case study paper from

This paper presents the Human Resource Challenges in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Industry in Sri Lanka and the potential for an EBusiness in Sri Lanka. This paper has addressed secondary data which have been surveyed by Sri Lankan ICTA agency. There is a growing demand in ICT work force. Compared to last 2 years; it was grown by nearly 10,000 over the two years from 2004 to 2006. Nearly 14,500 IT workers are required in the next two years (2007-2008). However, only 2216 Major graduates will be added to the workforce every year, according to the ICTA survey. This number is insufficient to the Industry development. The Internet usage in Sri Lanka is insignificant due to the lack of various reasons.  Nearly 1.35% of total population use internet. The majority of Sri Lankan lives in rural areas. It is primarily a rural based country where a larger percentage of its citizens cannot avail themselves of these modern capabilities. Some of the key advantages of ICT development in Sri Lanka.

include its favourable macro-economic policies and a business culture open to global partners and investors. Education has been a priority in Sri Lanka since ancient times resulting in one of the highest literacy rates in the region and labour rates too are comparatively very competitive. The country possesses a talented pool of manpower and Sri Lankan software companies have proved themselves many a time that they are capable of competing in both software services and product development.  However there is lack of Human resource strategies for retaining skilled ICT graduates in local companies even though shortage of workforce. The main problems in developing E-Businesses are lack of Internet usage in total population, lack of companies’ knowledge in Internet Business, lack of Investment for future EBusiness areas and lack of government support to enhance E-Business in rural areas. This paper concludes that there is strong potentiality to go for the successful EBusiness with strong involvement of companies by overcoming common problems faced by any developing country at this stage of online business.

Posted in Labels: , |

1 comments:

  1. Anonymous Says:

    Good Case Study, Worth To read. Thanks Dr .