Capacity utilization and economic development, with special reference to the parastatal sector in Sri-Lanka

Edirisooriya, G (1977) Capacity utilization and economic development, with special reference to the parastatal sector in Sri-Lanka. MLitt(R) thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

In the absence of a well developed capital goods sector, an indigenous process of capital accumulation and technical progress has not taken place in the Sri-Lanka economy. This economy is faced with unfavourable terms of trade, balance of payment difficulties and the problem of increasing external debt. There has been considerable importation of foreign capital and technology mostly on project loans, commodity loans and aid over the last two decades or so, with a view to achieving higher rates of economic growth. This has led to the importation of "inappropriate technology" and has created a number of problems which can be seen in relation to under-utilization of capacity in the parastatal sector in Sri-Lanka. Hence it would seem that a mere injection of foreign technology and capital alone will not bring about the expected rate of growth for developing countries like Sri-Lanka, In an attempt to throw light upon this hypothesis, we have adopted the following procedure. The Harrod-Domar growth model has been examined in relation to capacity utilization which in turn has implications for economic growth. A theoretical discussion on the concept of "capacity" has been carried out along with a comprehensive survey on available utilization measures of capital, land and capacity. Finally, we have carried out an empirical investigation on the problem of capacity under-utilization in eleven public sector corporations in Sri-Lanka, using the trend-through-peaks method. Results suggest that the problem of under-utilization of capacity in the parastatal sector in Sri'-Lanka is rather critical.

• Item Type: Thesis (MLitt(R))
• Qualification Level: Masters
• Additional Information: Adviser: Norman G Clark
• Keywords: Economics, South Asian studies
• Date of Award: 1977
• Depositing User: Enlighten Team
• Unique ID: glathesis:1977-72272
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 24 May 2019 15:12
• Last Modified: 24 May 2019 15:12
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/72272