It is with great pleasure that we present the Vidyodaya Journal of Management (first issue of volume three) of the Faculty of Management and Commerce of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura for 2017. Research topics featured in this edition relate to audit education, Lean management, technology adoption and asset pricing. The breadth of topics gives an indication of the diversity and range of academic interests in our faculty, and it is important to note that each paper presents findings which can be of considerable value to organisations, both public and private, within Sri Lanka as well as internationally.
In the first article, J.S. Kumari, A.R. Ajward and D.B.P.H. Dissabandara identify the existence of an audit expectation gap in the accounting profession in Sri Lanka which could be reduced by suitable advanced audit education programmes. The results provide a valuable insight for educational policy development in relation to providing students with relevant knowledge of the role of the auditor.
In their study of the Sri Lankan textile and apparel industry, G.C.I. Gunarathne and W.D.C.K.T. Kumarasiri employ quantitative analysis to identify the positive impact of Lean management on organizational performance. Their findings indicate those aspects of Lean management which are most effective in this regard, and also outline the factors which hinder expected outcomes.
The third paper, by S. Moghavvemi, S.W. Phoong and S.T. Lee, validates and extends the Entrepreneurial Potential Model in the context of technology acceptance in order to examine entrepreneurs’ intentions to adopt and use IT innovation. In doing so, the study brings new perspectives to information systems adoption research and presents a new model for usage of IT innovation.
The final article, by C. Gunathilaka, reviews the impact of investor sentiment on asset pricing and finds that existing models have numerous shortcomings which are indicated in the study. It is proposed that more effective models could be developed to alleviate these inadequacies.
Our appreciation goes out to all the contributors for their thought-provoking research and findings. It is hoped that their efforts will provide further impetus for the progress of the research culture in the Faculty of Management and Commerce. We would also like to extend our gratitude to the reviewers, language editor and the administrative staff for their unstinting and voluntary support in assisting to bring this issue to fruition.
- B.J.H. Arachchige and N.W.K. Galahitiyawe
University of Sri Jayewardenepura