A Neglected Aspect of Business: Human and Social Capital in the Sri Lankan Tea Plantations

Wickramasinghe, Ananda D. and Cameron, Donald C. (2003). A Neglected Aspect of Business: Human and Social Capital in the Sri Lankan Tea Plantations. In 9th International Conference on Sri Lanka Studies, 28 - 30 November 2003, Ruhuna University, Sri Lanka.

Document type:	Conference Item
Collections:	Excellence in Research Australia (ERA) - Collection School of Integrative Systems

Author(s)	Wickramasinghe, Ananda D. Cameron, Donald C.
Title	A Neglected Aspect of Business: Human and Social Capital in the Sri Lankan Tea Plantations
Conference name	9th International Conference on Sri Lanka Studies
Conference Item Type	Published Abstract
Proceedings title	Sri Lanka at Crossroads; Continuity and Change
Conference location	Ruhuna University, Sri Lanka
Conference dates	28 - 30 November 2003
Publication date	2003
Subject	EX 420399 Cultural Studies not elsewhere classified 620499 Primary plant products not elsewhere classified
Abstract/Summary	This paper examines idiosyncrasies of tea plantation culture and politics in relation to Sri Lankan national and popular cultural typologies, with special reference to female tea plantation workers. Tea production in Sri Lanka is heavily based on manual labour, and it is the largest industry that provides accommodation for employees and their families. In this paper, it is argued that politico-cultural production relations have dominated labour productivity in tea plantations. Ways in which female workers have been marginalized, through patriarchal politics, ethnicity, religion, education, elitism, and employment are explained. This culture of the plantation community operates negatively with respect to the management agenda. It is also argued that social capital development in tea plantations is important not only for productivity improvement, but also for reasons of political and social obligation for the nation, because migrant plantation workers have been working and living in plantations over 150 years.
Keyword(s)	Political economy Underdevelopment Strategic management Tea plantations Sri Lanka