As Editors in Chief for Vidyodaya Journal of Management (VJM), Faculty of Management Studies and Commerce, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, we are delighted to issue the Volume 4 (2) of the Journal. Three research papers related to social science research environment, education of environmental literacy and economic growth in Sri Lanka are included in the current issue of the Journal.
VJM provides insights on the current dynamic world through high-quality papers that comprehensively investigate current and critical real world scenarios while balancing the theoretical rigor and empirical value of the studies.
The first article is an assessment of social science research environment of the Sri Lankan State University system, giving priority to the local level research publications. It first assesses the status of the social science research environment of the state university system; and then explores the challenges that hinder the social science research conducted by the academics in the State Universities in Sri Lanka employing a qualitative approach. Policy related, organizational related and individual related challenges are identified and discussed in detailed.
The second article is on Educating for Environmental Practices: Assessment from Bachelor of Commerce Undergraduates in Sri Lankan State Universities. Owing to the accelerated attention by the scholars on environmental literacy in the current era, the article has examined the influence from environmental literacy and interest in environmental activities on actual engagement in environmental activities through a quantitative approach. The study reveals that more knowledge on environmental areas leads to interest towards environmental issues and in turn leads to active engagement in environmental activities.
Sectoral Distribution of Commercial Bank Credit and Economic Growth in Sri Lanka is the focus of the third article. This article investigates both short and long impact of sectoral distribution of commercial bank credit to the economic growth in the country using econometrics models. The study discloses that credit distribution to the agriculture, industry, and consumption sectors are not significant but credit distribution to the service sector, and labour force are significant in explaining the short run economic growth. The credit distribution to the industrial sector influences the long run economic growth.
Finally, we extend our sincere gratitude to all the authors for their valuable contribution through research articles and for patience in reviewing process; to reviewers for their constructive comments that bring the papers into a publishable level; and to language editors for their service rendered for the Journal.
- Dr. (Mrs) P. G. S. Amila Jayarathne and Dr. (Mrs) Sandamali Galdolage
University of Sri Jayewardenepura