Abstract:
The main objective of this paper is identification of factors affecting development
of bottled water industry as a Small and Medium Scale (SME) economic activity
in Sri Lanka. Having the world best clean water sources, this industry' has been
identified as one of the high potential industryr for foreign exchange earnings in
Sri Lanka. The methodology employed is a structured questionnaire based on
field survey of fifty five bottled water SMEs. Afield survey confirmed that the main
operational challenges are related with finance, marketing, products and process
technological problems, environmental, social, health, business management
deficiencies and human resource related problems. The major growth obstacles
are lack of business relationship and informational support, product and process
technology/ issues and the business management deficiencies. The main policyr
recommendations are developing training programs on business management,
introducing information supports and awareness programs on latest development
on product and process technologyr, provision of an appropriate regulatoryr and
legislative framework for the industryBy identifying the core issues affecting the
operation of bottled water industry, this l'esearch study will contribute to the
understanding of ground situation of this subtle industry' in Sri Lankan context.
The methodology/ employed and the policies derived can be used as guides to
similar types of research in other countries as well. It is an exploratory? case study'.
