Abstract:
Purpose - It is imperative to offer a new perspective of Entrepreneurial Growth Intention (EGI) that draws
directly upon the capability approach. The aim of this study is to investigate the role of capabilities in the
context of EGI in the floriculture industry in Sri Lanka.
Design/methodology/approach - The study was exploratory and is mainly qualitative in nature. In-depth
interviews were carried out with the owners of farms who possess experience in floriculture commercial
cultivation in Sri Lanka.
Findings - The results emerged that there are different perspectives among farm owners regarding EGI.
Drawing attention on the stories of our participants and making a three-phase analysis, we identified 31 key
actions denoted by the farm owners. This work then suggests that the seven capabilities might be fruitfully
framed around EGI.
Research limitations/implications - As the results stress the role of capabilities in the formation of an
entrepreneur’s growth intention is vital. Therefore, more targeted measures should be drawn to build fair and
supportive facilities to obtain advanced knowledge, to familiarise with the emergence of technology and to
attain professional services specifically in financial literacy.
Originality/value - The question of what factors influence EGI at the farm level is still largely unexplored as
less is known about the effect of capabilities on EGI. The study expands the current debates on EGI and
institutional environment, which allows the mapping out of capability development.
