Entrepreneurial potentials in Sri Lankan quantity surveyors

Abstract

In marching towards a rapid economic expansion after the end of 30 years’ civil war, Sri Lanka is in enormous needs of entrepreneurs to generate new wealth for the country. Accounting for the majority of total investments of the country, Sri Lankan construction industry possesses the highest need of new entrepreneurial blood. This study focuses to explore gaps in entrepreneurial skills, traits and knowledge in quantity surveying education to foster entrepreneurial quantity surveyors (QS) to the industry. A questionnaire survey was conducted with quantity surveying entrepreneurs and graduates with a strong intention of an entrepreneurial career, passed out with a bachelor’s degree in quantity surveying which resulting in 15 duly completed responses with 100% respond rate, through convenient sampling method. Importance Performance Analysis (IPA) matrix was constructed to identify shortages in skills, traits and knowledge offered by the degree programme to produce entrepreneurial QSs. Seven skills/traits and three knowledge areas were identified as under-developed areas in the undergraduate education. The findings of the research will create an impact to revisit educational needs to cater the industry’s demand for entrepreneurs. Further industry can convert the over qualified areas into opportunities to take immediate advantages towards the profession.