Business opportunities for the software industry outside the Western Province of Sri Lanka

Abstract

The use of computers has increased considerably all over the world. The computer is now becoming a part of the human life because it helps the human to do work quickly and efficiently. So an industry like software has to playa major role in the future as there will be more market opportunities in any country. A lot of opportunity exists even for Sri Lanka to participate in the software industry including software development, programming and business process outsourcing. There are many Sri Lankan firms which are offering IT based service and generating more revenue through the software exports. But most of these firms are located within the WP even though provinces like CP and SP have adequate electricity and telecom infrastructure. This research is mainly focused on the above situation. The following are the two main questions that have been addressed through this research. 1. Why do software firm not locate in provinces other than the WP? 2. Is the advantageous environment in the WP changing? A questionnaire which addressed the above two questions had been distributed among all the member firms of SLASI. The gathered data were analyzed using descriptive statistical methods. Through the data analysis it had been concluded the following. Skilled & Educated People, Telecommunication, Electricity and Public Transport are the major constraints for not locating many software companies outside the WP. SP, CP and UP are the more suitable places with respect to each minimum requirement needed to start new software companies outside the WP. So the outcome of this research will be helpful to the investors who are going to invest their money to start new software companies in Sri Lanka, when they are going to select a location to start a new software company