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Small Firm Behaviour in Sri Lanka

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  • Batten, Jonathan
  • Hettihewa, Samanthala

Abstract

This paper investigates the behaviour of small firms in Sri Lanka using a countrywide cross-sectional survey. The 73 responding firms provide information on whether certain variables: the firm's utilisation of assets; labour; technology: family savings: and access to bank financing, vary with four firm-specific factors: industry; family ownership; size; and whether the firm's manager was also an owner of the firm. Sampled small firms are mostly family owned and owner managed although a significant number of family owned firms are managed by non-family managers. Most firm's under-utilise assets, use existing rather than the latest technology, and are reliant upon family savings. Statistical analysis provides evidence of significant cross-sectional variation in small firm practice. The results are explained in terms of the cost of acquiring new technology, asymmetries and opacity in financial information, and the non-value maximising behaviour of firm owners who are also firm managers. Copyright 1999 by Kluwer Academic Publishers

Suggested Citation

  • Batten, Jonathan & Hettihewa, Samanthala, 1999. "Small Firm Behaviour in Sri Lanka," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 13(3), pages 201-217, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:sbusec:v:13:y:1999:i:3:p:201-17
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    Cited by:

    1. Abu Ayob & Shamshubaridah Ramlee & Aisyah Abdul Rahman, 2015. "Financial factors and export behavior of small and medium-sized enterprises in an emerging economy," Journal of International Entrepreneurship, Springer, vol. 13(1), pages 49-66, March.
    2. P. López-Delgado & J. Diéguez-Soto, 2020. "Indebtedness in family-managed firms: the moderating role of female directors on the board," Review of Managerial Science, Springer, vol. 14(4), pages 727-762, August.

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