Capital Is Not Enough: How Merger & Acquisition and Foreign Direct Investment Shape Corporate Sustainability in Sri Lanka

Authors

  • Jezirah Berlin Nirwana Universitas Pembangunan Nasional Veteran Jawa Timur
  • Bella Anantha Ekytasari Universitas Pembangunan Nasional Veteran Jawa Timur
  • Revi Marsinta Universitas Pembangunan Nasional Veteran Jawa Timur
  • Mesya Fadhilla Mintaraga Universitas Pembangunan Nasional Veteran Jawa Timur
  • Kumala Puspita Sari Universitas Pembangunan Nasional Veteran Jawa Timur
  • Janaka Perera Wayamba University of Sri Lanka image/svg+xml

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.61656/sbamr.v8i3.483

Keywords:

Mergers and Acquisitions, Foreign Direct Investment, Corporate Sustainability, ESG, Sri Lanka

Abstract

Purpose: This study aims to systematically examine the relationship between Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A), Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), and corporate sustainability practices in Sri Lanka.

Method: This study employs a systematic literature review by synthesizing 21 academic and professional sources published between 2017 and 2026.

Findings: M&A activities in Sri Lanka are influenced by the regulatory framework and the quality of post-acquisition integration. Structured integration, human resource management, and effective corporate governance support corporate sustainability. Meanwhile, the relationship between FDI, economic growth, and technological innovation produces mixed findings, indicating that investment quality and domestic absorptive capacity are important factors. External shocks also affect environmental, economic, and social dimensions of sustainability.

Implications: M&A and FDI can contribute to corporate sustainability when supported by strategic alignment, effective governance, and adequate absorptive capacity.

Originality: This study integrates perspectives on M&A, FDI, corporate governance, and sustainability within the Sri Lankan context.

 

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Adikari, A. P., Liu, H., & Marasinghe, M. M. S. A. (2021). Inward foreign direct investment-induced technological innovation in Sri Lanka? Empirical evidence using ARDL approach. Sustainability, 13(13), Article 7334. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13137334

Amaranonta, K., Chintakananda, A., & Thoumrungroje, A. (2026). Uncertainty, institutional quality and strategic commitment: US MNEs’ sequential acquisitions in emerging economies. International Journal of Emerging Markets. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJOEM-03-2024-0497

Bhavan, T. (2023). The nexus between foreign direct investment, informal and formal sectors in Sri Lanka. South Asia Economic Journal, 24(1), 7–19. https://doi.org/10.1177/13915614231158729

Creswell, J. W., & Poth, C. N. (2018). Qualitative inquiry and research design: Choosing among five approaches (4th ed.). SAGE Publications. https://www.sagepub.com/en-us/sam/qualitative-inquiry-and-research-design/book246896

Dissanayaka, P., & Jayaratne, P. (2017). Impacts of mergers and acquisitions on supply chains of Sri Lanka. In T. L. Gunaruwan (Ed.), Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Research for Transport and Logistics Industry (R4TLI 2017) (pp. 51–55). Sri Lanka Society of Transport and Logistics. https://dl.lib.uom.lk/items/e8ca85fc-af79-4dcc-915d-a1ed92e3aecc

Dissanayake, D., Tilt, C., & Qian, W. (2019). Factors influencing sustainability reporting by Sri Lankan companies. Pacific Accounting Review, 31(1), 84–109. https://doi.org/10.1108/PAR-10-2017-0085

Dissanayake, H., Dissabandara, H., Ajward, R., & Perera, W. (2025). Corporate sustainability: A comparative analysis of pre- and post-COVID–19 practices in Sri Lanka. Dunakavics, 13(5), 59–65. https://doi.org/10.63684/dk.2025.05.07

Fernando, P. J. S., & Rajapakshe, D. P. (2018). Redefining FDI-growth relationship under liberalized economic policies: Empirical evidence from Sri Lanka. Sri Lankan Journal of Business Economics, 7, 20–39. https://journals.sjp.ac.lk/index.php/sljbe/article/view/3806

Fernando, W. N. S. (2020). Foreign direct investment and economic growth: Evidence from Sri Lanka. Staff Studies, 50(2), 77. https://doi.org/10.4038/ss.v50i2.4725

Fidiana, F., Yani, P., & Suryaningrum, D. H. (2023). Corporate going-concern report in early pandemic situation: Evidence from Indonesia, Heliyon, Volume 9, Issue 4, e15138, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e15138.

Gooneratne, D. W., & Buvanendra, S. (2025). Impact of capital structure dynamics on acquirers’ post M&A performance: Evidence from a frontier market. International Journal of Accounting and Business Finance, 11(1), 22–61. https://doi.org/10.4038/ijabf.v11i1.167

Jayasinghe, B. E., & Rifat, F. (2023). The effect of cross-border mergers & acquisitions as a driver of better corporate sustainability practices: A study on the post-acquisition context of selected target firms from Sri Lanka and Sweden [Master’s thesis, University of Gothenburg]. GUPEA. https://gupea.ub.gu.se/items/9f70900b-c622-4f08-8994-88466c51166e

Karunaratne, H. Y. (2023). Factors affecting foreign direct investments: Evidence from Sri Lanka. Wayamba Journal of Management, 14(1), 146–161. https://doi.org/10.4038/wjm.v14i1.7600

Kengatharan, L., Jeyan Suganya, D. F., & Sulochani, R. G. R. (2020). Corporate social responsibility and firm performance: Evidence from manufacturing companies in Sri Lanka. International Journal of Accounting and Business Finance, 6(1), 42–52. https://doi.org/10.4038/ijabf.v6i1.50

Kowsana, B., & Muraleetharan, P. (2021). Sustainability reporting based on GRI standards and corporate financial performance: A study on selected listed companies in Sri Lanka. International Journal of Accounting and Business Finance, 7(2), 131. https://doi.org/10.4038/ijabf.v7i2.99

Liou, R.-S., Lamb, N. H., & Lee, K. (2021). Cultural imprints: Emerging market multinationals’ post-acquisition corporate social performance. Journal of Business Research, 126, 187–196. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2020.12.069

Lye, R. M. (2022). Review of mergers & acquisition cases in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka Journal of Marketing, 8, 113–132. https://doi.org/10.4038/sljmuok.v8i0.97

Maheswaranathan, S., & Jeewanthi, K. M. N. (2021). The contribution of FDI and financial development on economic growth in Sri Lanka. International Journal of Engineering Technologies and Management Research, 8(1), 25–34. https://doi.org/10.29121/ijetmr.v8.i1.2021.838

Mustafa, A. M. M. (2019). The relationship between foreign direct investment and inflation: Econometric analysis and forecasts in the case of Sri Lanka. Journal of Politics and Law, 12(2), 44. https://doi.org/10.5539/jpl.v12n2p44

Nazliben, K. K., Renneboog, L., & Uduwalage, E. (2024). Corporate governance from colonial Ceylon to post-civil war Sri Lanka. Journal of Management and Governance, 28(1), 265–335. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10997-023-09678-5

Page, M. J., McKenzie, J. E., Bossuyt, P. M., Boutron, I., Hoffmann, T. C., Mulrow, C. D., Shamseer, L., Tetzlaff, J. M., Akl, E. A., Brennan, S. E., Chou, R., Glanville, J., Grimshaw, J. M., Hróbjartsson, A., Lalu, M. M., Li, T., Loder, E. W., Mayo-Wilson, E., McDonald, S., … Moher, D. (2021). The PRISMA 2020 statement: An updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews. BMJ, 372, n71. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.n71

Pubodhya, S. H. N., & Rajapakshe, W. (2025). Enhancing mergers and acquisitions (M&A) performance: Analyzing the role of human resource practices in Sri Lanka’s telecommunication industry through Lewin’s change management model. PLOS ONE, 20(1), Article e0317117. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0317117

Pubodhya, S. H. N., & Rajapakshe, W. (2026). Correction: Enhancing mergers and acquisitions (M&A) performance: Analyzing the role of human resource practices in Sri Lanka’s telecommunication industry through Lewin’s change management model. PLOS ONE, 21(4), Article e0347909. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0347909

Rajapakshe, W., & Romesh, S. (2026). A technology acceptance model extension of ERP use in Sri Lanka’s pharmaceutical industry. International Journal of Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Marketing. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJPHM-01-2026-0016

Rajaratne, M., & Tennekoon, P. W. (2018). Sri Lanka’s strength as an international industrial location: A theoretical examination. Sri Lankan Journal of Business Economics, 7, 1–19. https://journals.sjp.ac.lk/index.php/sljbe/article/view/3805

Rathnasekara, S. U. (2022). External trade and foreign investment policy reforms in economic growth of Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka Journal of Social Sciences, 45(1), 5. https://doi.org/10.4038/sljss.v45i1.8264

Samantha, N. P. G., & Liu, H. (2017). The impact of FDI on the economic growth of Sri Lanka: An ARDL approach to co-integration. International Journal of Innovation and Economic Development, 3(1), 70–82. https://doi.org/10.18775/ijied.1849-7551-7020.2015.35.2006

Snyder, H. (2019). Literature review as a research methodology: An overview and guidelines. Journal of Business Research, 104, 333–339. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2019.07.039

Suryaningrum, D.H., Abdul Rahman, A.A., Meero, A. et al. (2023). Mergers and acquisitions: Does performance depend on managerial ability?. J Innov Entrep 12, 30. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13731-023-00296-x

Varia, S., & Algama, P. (2024). An expert discussion on the M&A framework in Sri Lanka. In Mergers & acquisitions expert guide 2024 (pp. 20–21). Corporate LiveWire. https://d316p58mvyv083.cloudfront.net/2024/10/FJG-MA.pdf

Wu, M., & Cao, D. (2026). Cross-border mergers and acquisitions in the construction industry: Structural characteristics and formation mechanisms of the inter-regional network. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1108/ECAM-02-2025-0227

Downloads

Published

2026-09-30

How to Cite

Nirwana, J. B., Ekytasari, B. A., Marsinta, R., Mintaraga, M. F., Sari, K. P., & Perera, J. (2026). Capital Is Not Enough: How Merger & Acquisition and Foreign Direct Investment Shape Corporate Sustainability in Sri Lanka. Sustainable Business Accounting and Management Review, 8(3), 202-2015. https://doi.org/10.61656/sbamr.v8i3.483

Similar Articles

11-20 of 31

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.