Abstract:
Most of the small scale entrepreneurs operate their business on a marginal scale.
They can expand their profits by forming a farmer producer company. For that, they
require knowledge and skills in corporate literacy. This study was aimed to assess
the small scale entrepreneurs’ existing knowledge of corporate literacy and
develop an educational program. The simple random sampling method was used to
select the sample which consisted of fifty small scale entrepreneurs in the Southern
Province. Primary data were collected through a pre-tested questionnaire survey.
Key informant interviews were also conducted to identify the requirements of a
Farmer Producer Company. Likert scale statements employed to assess the
knowledge and skills in seven types of management. Mean values of Organizational
Management (3.39), Human Resource Management (3.34), Risk Management
(3.39), Operation Management (3.45), Marketing (3.31), Finance (3.31) and
Business Management (3.38) denote that the entrepreneurs are more capable in
operation management whereas less capable in Marketing and Finance. Education
and experience are the main determinants of knowledge in corporate literacy (pvalue=
0.000). They practice simple strategies in planning, organizing, managing,
and controlling their businesses. 96% of the respondents intend to form a Farmer
Producer Company to increase their profitability. They are interested in acquiring
new knowledge and register the business as a company. They prefer to follow a
three months corporate literacy program as Interactive Voice Messages. The study
concluded that providing proper education programs can enhance the knowledge
and skills of small scale entrepreneurs and move them forward within the
agricultural sector in Sri Lanka.
