Business Transformation Through Emerging Technology Landscape: A Benchmarking Perspective – Special Reference to Rice Milling Industry in Sri Lanka.
Abstract
Purpose: The aims of this study are to examine the transformation of business organizations in the rice milling industry in the Eastern Province of Sri Lanka facilitated through the adoption of new technologies. This study mainly focuses on the rice production sector in the Eastern Province with comparisons with that in the North Central Province which possesses a well-developed rice production industry in order to benchmark the performance of the Eastern Province.
Research Method: In order to systematically investigate the existing technology adoption gaps in the region, this research was carried out in three phases using two research approaches. First approach was the use of quantitative analysis using mainly questionnaire survey collect data from a large sample of rice millers (173) in the Eastern Province. At the second phase, in-depth interviews were conducted with identified rice millers (10) based on the technology adoption levels in the sector in order to validate the results of questionnaire survey. And in the third phase, a similar study was carried out in the North Central Province, selecting the Polonnaruwa district.
Findings: Analysis of the data revealed that the factors such as capital extension and organizational culture had significant relations with technology adoption which has led to business transformation among Eastern millers. At the same time, it was highlighted that all the factors were significantly related with technology adoption which leads to business transformation among benchmarked millers. This result explained that benchmarked millers were higher technology adopters compare to Eastern millers and they proved transformation among all levels of technology adopters.
Research limitations: Despite the success of accomplishing the research objectives, this study is also subjected to a number of limitations. The sample was collected from the local government authorities those who registered in three districts in the Eastern province. Some small-scale businesses which were not registered have been ignored in the sample. Further the study assessed the critical success factors of technology adoption from the rice millers’, i.e., downstream of the supply chain perspectives. It is assumed that further research might evaluate it from agri-based products upstream component perspectives.
Originality/Value: This study identified the effects of technology on firm performance especially in rice business supply chain in Sri Lanka. It Provides consolidated insight into policies and actions taken by authorities’ respect to the industry. These evidences are useful to the farmers, traders, millers and planners.
