Asia pacific journal of information systems

The Korea Society of Management Information Systems (한국경영정보학회)
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E-learning in India and Sri Lanka: A Cross-Cultural Study

  • Simmy Kurian (SCMS Cochin School of Business) ;
  • Hareesh N. Ramanathan (Jain Deemed-to-be University) ;
  • Chamaru De Alwis (University of Kelaniya)
  • Received : 2021.01.30
  • Accepted : 2021.02.01
  • Published : 2021.03.31
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Abstract

E-learning is a planned effort towards providing interactive and experiential learning having flexibility in terms of time, place, pace, participation and accessibility. Globalization has set the stage for a social transformation of the world economy driven by technological innovation, emphasizing knowledge-based processes. While the tertiary education enrolments in wealthy nations have gone up incrementally, the same cannot be said to be right about developing economies. E-Learning can streamline enrolments to higher education, in developing nations by being a cost-effective and flexible alternative. The objective of this paper is to draw attention to the similarities in the national culture of these two countries and compare students' perception on e-learning in India and Sri Lanka along eight dimensions viz., viability, dependability, flexibility, inclusivity, power, pertinence, challenge and equitability. The results reveal that e-learning is equally popular among students from both countries, and they have a high perception score towards e-learning on each of the measured eight dimensions. Hence results are indicative of an opportunity of tapping the potential of e-learning in reaching out to a broader audience of underprivileged students and onboarding them into the knowledge economy.

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