Exploring the Factors Influencing Investment Decisions of Non-Resident Entrepreneurs in Sri Lanka

Numerous studies have highlighted the link between Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and economic growth, identifying FDI as crucial for national economic development. With the increasing number of Sri Lankan migrants with capacity to invest, a strategy to attract investments from non-resident Sri Lankans very important factor. This study aims to identify the factors influencing these expatriate entrepreneurs' investment decisions, addressing a gap in existing literature. The study adopts an inductive approach and conducts a qualitative study, utilizing thematic analysis through version of NVivo 14. Data was gathered through eleven in-depth interviews with non-resident Sri Lankan entrepreneurs, using the snowball sampling technique. Results revealed four crucial themes influencing the investment decisions of nonresident Sri Lankan entrepreneurs as decisions made by the government, the attitudes prevalent among Sri Lankans, the educational standards within population, and the emotional connections individuals maintain with Sri Lanka. This study contributes as a pioneering empirical investigation within the context of Sri Lanka, providing unique findings to the existing literature.