Abstract:
This paper shows how creativity and credibility of entrepreneurial
firms in Sri Lanka contribute to sustained growth in constantly turbulent and
hostile emerging market conditions characterised by high uncertainty and risk
owing to political and economic instability, internal ethnic conflicts and
changes in social values. This is a suitable context to test the significance
of individual and corporate credibility on the survival and growth of
entrepreneurial firms operating in different market environments. This study
applied a mixed research methodology by combining case research and a
questionnaire based large survey on the owners and top managers of 158
successful entrepreneurial firms operating in Sri Lanka. This research found
that in a turbulent and hostile emerging market context, creativity and
credibility significantly influence entrepreneurial firm growth. The findings
offer entrepreneurs in emerging markets important insights into growth
strategies for surviving and thriving in often-hostile market conditions.
creativity; credibility; entrepreneurial firm growth; survival factors;
emerging economy markets.
