CAREER SUMMARY
Dr. Krishantha Wisenthige is an Assistant Professor at SLIIT Business School, Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT), where he serves as MBA Coordinator and Research Coordinator. He is an academic and management professional with extensive experience in higher education, entrepreneurship, business consultancy, SME development, international business, and private-sector development.
His teaching and research interests encompass Entrepreneurship and Innovation, International Business, SME Management, Social Entrepreneurship, Social and Sustainable Marketing, Business Strategy, Agribusiness Management, Business Planning, and Research Methods. He has published more than 90 research articles in international journals and conferences, including 26 publications in high-ranked Scopus-indexed journals. His research reflects a strong focus on generating academically rigorous and practically relevant insights for businesses, entrepreneurs, and organisations.
Prior to joining academia, Dr. Wisenthige held senior professional and consultancy positions, including Entrepreneurship Expert at Deloitte, Team Leader and Entrepreneurship Development Expert at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), and Head/Director and Deputy Director at the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka (FCCISL). He has also served as Manager – Regional Development at FCCISL and Manager at Sarvodaya Economic Enterprise Development Services. His industry experience spans entrepreneurship development, SME development, strategic planning, business advisory, capacity building, and private-sector development.
He has extensive international exposure through academic, professional, and executive development engagements and has served in international business networks, including the SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Commonwealth Asia Young Entrepreneurs Alliance. He currently serves on the Executive Council of FCCISL. He has received international scholarships and training from the Governments of the United States, China, Japan, and the Netherlands, including the prestigious US International Visitors Leadership Program (IVLP) in Small Business Management and a Chinese Government Scholarship for doctoral studies.
His combination of academic expertise, substantial research output, industry and consultancy experience, international exposure, and professional leadership enables him to bring a strong practice-oriented and globally informed perspective to teaching, research, executive education, and business development.
ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D), School of Management, Wuhan University of Technology. PR China
- Master of Business Administration (MBA), University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
- B.Sc (Sp), University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
HONOURS AND AWARDS
- Chinese Government Scholarship for Doctoral Studies, Wuhan University of Technology (WHUT), 2014
- US Government Scholarship, Small Business Management, 2008
- Government of Netherlands Scholarship, Export Marketing and Management, 2007
- Japanese Government Scholarship, Professional Chamber Management and Administration, 2007
- SLIIT Awards (2025): SLIIT Researcher of the Year Award in recognition of the outstanding contribution made in 2024
RESEARCH INTERESTS AND MEMBERSHIP
Research Interests
· Entrepreneurship
· Digital Consumer Behavior
· Agribusiness
· Gig Economy
· Innovation
Memberships
- Member, Institute of Service Management, Sri Lanka
- Member, Executive Council, Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka (FCCISL)
RESEARCH CLUSTERS
Food and Agribusiness
"Food and agribusiness encompass a broad range of activities related to the production, processing, distribution, marketing, and consumption of food and agricultural products. These sectors are vital components of the global economy and play a crucial role in ensuring food security, economic development, and sustainability. "
PUBLICATIONS
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Determinants of student satisfaction in private universities: examining the impact of academic staff quality
Wisenthige, K., Pathirana, U., Perera, B., Wijesinghe, K. and Wijethunga, A. , “Journal of Applied Research in Higher Education”
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Does management support drive sustained agile usage? a serial mediation model and cIPMA perspective
Wijesinghe, U., Mapitiyage, V., Wickramarathne C, Wickramage, C., Wisenthige, K., Aluthwala, C,.., “PLoS ONE ” , pp. e0316538
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Enhancing Export Potential: The Synergistic Impact of Digitalisation and Export Market Orientation in Driving Export Success in Sri Lankas Apparel Sector
Abeyruwan, N., Wijesekara, H., Weerasuriya, H., Amarasekera, A., Rajapakse, V. and Wisenthige, K, (03rd International Conference on Sustainable & Digital Business (ICSDB))
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The Influence of Climate Change and Foreign Direct Investment on Aquaculture: A Panel Data Approach for Top-Producing Countries
Dilakshi, L.B.I., Kariyawasam, N.G., Senevirathna, S.R.A., Vidumini, B.G.A., Wickramasinghe, Y., Wisenthige, K. and Jayathilaka, R, (03rd International Conference on Sustainable & Digital Business (ICSDB))
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Sustaining Agile Usage: Role of Management Support in Shaping Agile Mindsets in Development Teams
C Wickramarathne, U Wijesinghe, V Mapitiyage, C Wickramage, K Wisenthige, C Aluthwala, (03rd International Conference on Sustainable & Digital Business (ICSDB))
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Factors Affecting Sri Lankan Cinnamon Export Income
Marasinghe, T., Paranawithana, N., Balthazaar F., Radeesha, M., Wisenthige, K., Jayathilaka, R., and Dabare, U. , (03rd International Conference on Sustainable & Digital Business (ICSDB))
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Green Growth or Planets Warming Exploring the Effects of Agriculture, Urbanization, and Forests
Kothalawala C. Sandamini H.N., Dissanayake D.M.I.R., Wisenthige K., (5th Research Conference on Business Studies)
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Impact of Social Media Marketing on Life Insurance Recommendations: The Role of Consumer Perception
K. Punchihewa, V. and Wisenthige, K, (13th International Conference on Management and Economics)
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Resurgence of Nostagic Fashion: A Study on Young Consumer Purchase Intentions in Sri Lanka
Ratnasena, K., Siriwardana, M., Wijekoon, Y., Shehan, T., Wisenthige, K., and Dayapathirana, N., (13th International Conference on Management and Economics)
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Unravelling the Impact of Digitalisation on Apparel Exporter Performance: Investigating the Mediation of Innovation and Export Market Orientation
Abeyruwan N. Y., Weerasuriya G. D. H. N., Wijesekara J. H. T., Amarasekera M. A. B., Wisenthige, K., and Rajapakse, V, (13th International Conference on Management and Economics)
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Will Agile Training Promote Sustaining Agile Usage in Software Development
Mapitiyage, V., Wijesinghe, U., Wickramarathne, C., Wickramage, C., Wisenthige, K., and Aluthwala, C., , (13th International Conference on Management and Economics)
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How Technology Influences Motivation and Engagement among Corporate Gigs Workers, A Study on Sri Lanka
Siriwardana, D., Hettiarachchi, N., Perera, L., Jayasena, C., Wisenthige, K., and Wickramaarachchi, C., (13th International Conference on Management and Economics)
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Accelerators and Incubators: Enhancing Networking for Innovation in High-Tech Manufacturing
Dilshani, K.W.W., and Wisenthige, K., (13th International Conference on Management and Economics)
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Exploring Limited Access to Credit, Identifying Adaptive Strategies for Sri Lankan Migrant Entrepreneurs at the Start-Up Phase of the Business in Australia
Manamperi, I., De Silva, N., Liyanage, T., Wisenthige, K., De Silva, N. and Perera, S.,, (13th International Conference on Management and Economics)
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Is Micro-Finance Trapping Poor People in Poverty? Special Reference to Gampaha District
Silva, P.G.I.A.N., Jayawardane, B.A.M.S., Perera, D.B.D.V., Tharika, A.H.N., Saliya, C. A. and Krishantha Wisenthige, (Young Scientists Forum)
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Impact of Dynamic Capabilities on Business Performance of SMEs during an Economic Crisis with reference to Western Province
Haputhanthri, H., Jayawickrama, U., Lakma, U., Sellahewa, E., Wisenthige, K. and Jayathilake, T. , “SLIIT Business Review” , pp. 55-74
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Reputation of Entrepreneur Mediates the Business Performance: A Study of Women owned Small Enterprise in Sri Lanka
Gunawansha, N., Rajapaksha, N., Witharana, N., Ishara, N., Wisenthige. K. and Pathirana, U. , “SLIIT Business Review” , pp. 75-106
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Fueling the future: unveiling what drives gig worker motivation and engagement in Sri Lanka corporate landscape
Perera, L., Jayasena, C., Hettiarachchi, N., Siriwardana, D., Wisenthige, K. and Wickramaarachchi, C. , “International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy”
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Cultivating prosperity: assessing the effects of fertiliser consumption, employment in agriculture, foreign direct investment, and exchange rates on value-added agriculture in SAARC nations
R. Sandumini, C. Kariyawasam, N. Sansika, T. Bandara, K. Wisenthige and R. Jayathilaka, “Journal of Social and Economic Development ”
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Factors influencing IMF assistance in the Sub-Saharan African region
Abeywickrama K, Perera N, Samarathunga S, Pabasara H, Jayathilaka R, Wisenthige K, “PLoS ONE” , pp. e0307071
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Do technological, environmental and entrepreneurial factors affect social commerce adoption?
Rasaputhra, S., Peiris, V., Magallagoda, R., Panditasekara, C., Wisenthige, K. and Jayasuriya, N., “Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development” , pp. 764-785
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The Effect of Pop-up Advertisements, Focusing on Players Intention to Download New Games
Vidanagama, S. I., Ulapane, K.M.N.D.B., Wijekoon, W.M.Y.C.B., Thilakarathna, J.K.D.N., Wisenthige, K., Jayasuriya, N., , (12th International Conference on Management and Economics, Sri Lanka)
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Impact of Instagram Posts Characteristics on User Engagement: With Reference to Global Sports Instagram Influencers
Amarakoon, A.A.P.D.D., Jayaweera, N.N., Peiris, H.R.T.U., Hewamana, C.V., Wisenthige, K., Pathirana, U., (12th International Conference on Management and Economics)
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Impact of the Quality of Academic Staff on Undergraduate Student Satisfaction
Wijethunga, S.A., Wijesinghe, K.M., Perera, M.B.B., Wisenthige, K., and Pathirana, R.P.U.S, (2nd Vavuniya University International Research Conference (VUIRC), )
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Impact of Urbanization on Mental Disorder in SAARC Countries
Mayangi Serasundera, Pramoth Darampriya, Chamath Edirisuriya, Malshani Weerasooriya, Krishantha Wisenthige, Ruwan Jayathilaka and Udeshika Pathirana, (International Conference on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Higher Education)