Abstract:
Education serves as a cornerstone for developing human capital, enhancing
productivity, and fostering economic growth. In Sri Lanka, the government’s
provision of free education has been instrumental in promoting a knowledge-based
society. Nevertheless, the undergraduate pass rate at Rajarata University of Sri Lanka,
particularly within the Faculty of Management Studies, remains below a satisfactory
level, necessitating an examination of the underlying determinants of academic
performance. The primary objective of this study is to analyse the factors influencing
academic performance among management undergraduates at the Faculty of
Management Studies, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka. Drawing on existing
literature, five main determinants (personal, psychological, institutional,
socioeconomic, and sociocultural factors) were examined. Employing an explanatory
research design under the positivist paradigm, the study utilised a quantitative
approach. Data were collected from a sample of 327 management undergraduates
selected through convenience sampling and analysed using multiple regression
techniques. The findings revealed that psychological and personal factors were the
strongest predictors of academic success (β = 0.469, p < 0.05; β = 0.269, p < 0.05),
while institutional, socioeconomic, and sociocultural factors exhibited positive but
weaker effects. These results underscore the significance of psychological well being, motivation, and personal attributes in shaping academic achievement.
Accordingly, it is recommended that universities implement structured programmes
such as time management training, counselling services, and peer mentoring while
cultivating a supportive learning environment to enhance students’ academic
outcomes.
