Browsing by Author "Karunarathna, N"

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Open Access
Critical factors influencing online consumer preference towards cash on delivery method in Sri Lanka
(UD Publication, 2021-02-04) Karunarathna, N
With the rapid technological advancements, E-commerce deliveries in Sri Lanka have been flourishing tremendously. However, payments have still been identified as one of the main obstacles to the developments of the E-commerce sector. The Cash on Delivery (COD) method has played a significant role in driving the growth of the E-commerce industry and accounts for more than 60% of all E-commerce transactions in Sri Lanka. Although COD is so important, many companies still waver with its processes as it has become a notoriously problematic area in terms of on-time and successful deliveries. Hence, the purpose of this study was to investigate the critical factors influencing online customers' preference of cash on the delivery method to provide insights into the management of E-commerce and logistics industries on the usage of appropriate payment methods for E-commerce transactions. This empirical study is based on the primary data obtained through a survey conducted among Sri Lankan online customers. The data were analyzed using the Partial Least Squares–Structural Equation Modelling technique. Consequently, 'Sri Lankan origin of the online seller,' 'Selling specialized products by the online seller,' 'Availability of wide choice of payment methods,' 'Offering a wide assortment of foreign products by the online seller,' 'Lack of trust on online payments' has been identified as the critical factors influencing Sri Lankan online customers' preference of cash on delivery method.
Embargo
Exploring the Usage of AI Tools in Education: Insights from Gen Z Undergraduates in Sri Lanka
(University of Nigeria Department of Mass Communication, 2025-06-02) Nishshanka, N; Karunarathna, N; Dayapathirana, N; Karunarathna, R. V; Hewage, H. K; Anthony, P
Background: This study investigates the patterns of use and adoption of AI tools in Sri Lanka, with a special emphasis on Generation Z undergraduates who will enter the industry next. As AI is an emerging technology, how this generation interacts with and enriches knowledge through AI tools becomes a vital area of concern. Objective: To identify key subjective factors influencing the adoption and usage of AI tools in education among Gen Z undergraduates in Sri Lanka. Methodology: This study employs qualitative research methods, specifically semi-structured interviews, to gather insights from 18 university students across various disciplines. Thematic analysis was used to identify recurring themes related to undergraduates' subjective experiences, benefits received, and attitudes, for which MAXQDA is used as the analytical software. Results: The findings demonstrate four key subjective factors that influence adoption and usage, such as academic work, awareness and adoption, challenges and risk, and helpful and supportive factors. The frequently used AI tool in Sri Lanka was noted as ChatGPT, which showed a high usage pattern in the analysis. Conclusion: Understanding the usage patterns and adoption factors helps the community use AI tools effectively, as it makes them aware of the risks and helpful factors. Also, the facilities that aid in adopting these AI tools could elevate the efficiency of their usage by making many students, future undergraduates, AI developers, and educational institutions aware of its benefits. Unique Contribution: This research provides insights for future research by helping to understand the usage of emerging AI tools among Gen Z undergraduates in a developing country like Sri Lanka. The findings can be applied to understanding different generations and emerging generations, such as Generation Alpha.
Open Access
Gross domestic product and logistics performance index drive the world trade: A study based on all continents
(Public Library of Science, 2021-03-03) Jayathilaka, R; Jayawardhana, C; Embogama, N; Jayasooriya, S; Karunarathna, N; Gamage, T; Kuruppu, N
The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and Logistics Performance Index (LPI) on international trade of nations across each continent and worldwide. Secondary data collected on 142 countries—37 Asian, 41 European, 41 African, 3 Oceania, 14 Middle East, 11 North American and 9 South American–were analysed across the years 2007, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, and 2018. Panel regression technique was applied and the random effect (RE) model was chosen based on the results of the Hausman tests and Breusch–Pagan Lagrange Multiplier test. The findings revealed that the LPI has a positive relationship with net exports globally and specifically within the continents of Asia, Europe, and Oceania. Moreover, while the GDP appears to have a significant negative impact on net exports, specifically within Asia, in contrast, countries in Oceania and the Middle East present a positive relationship. Also on the African continent, GDP has a significant negative impact on the net exports. Findings provide a holistic picture of the impact of LPI & GDP on net exports, which will assist governments in the formulation and revision of its strategies and policies to expedite the growth of exports and in turn, the economy. This study was the first of its kind to explore the impact of GDP and LPI on international trade of nations across worldwide.
Open Access
Identifying the ways of delivery performance enhancements in Sri Lankan E commerce Logistics sector with special reference to the Cash on Delivery (COD) method: An Integrative …
(researchgate.net, 2020) Karunarathna, N
With the prompt growth of sophisticated technological environment, E-Commerce distribution services in Sri Lanka have flourished tremendously. Most logistics and courier companies in Sri Lanka have developed new platforms to step into the modern e-commerce trends to meet the dynamic demands. However, due to the lack of study on real procedures of last mile (LM) delivery has triggered bad reputations and highly dissatisfied customers around the country. Cash on delivery (COD) has been a foremost problem in Sri Lanka's E-commerce delivery systems, hence cash collection and customer rejection rates are much higher, contributing to the cause of both e-commerce vendors and couriers rising costs. Sri Lankan Logistics and Courier companies are still lacking the efficiency; compared to the high standards E commerce industry has set in the world. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to identify the solutions and strategies for performance enhancements of E-Commerce deliveries with special reference to CODs in order to overcome the associated issues and challenges. This scrutiny has been conducted using an integrative review approach and the literature published in relation to Sri Lankan and Global E-commerce deliveries and COD Services were reviewed. Through the effective categorization and integrative analysis of literature, issues and challenges that are being faced by the ecommerce logistics companies and the solutions and strategies for performance enhancements of ecommerce deliveries were identified in both global and local context. Finally a theoretical framework on COD Services which will be effective to Sri Lankan E commerce Logistics sector was suggested.
Open Access
Impact of Green Supply Chain Management Practices on Operational Performance in Logistics Companies in Sri Lanka
(SLIIT Business School, 2023-12-14) Kaushalya, C; Sahana, S; Wijenayake, O; Jayawardana, S; Karunarathna, N; Kalansuriya, N
To improve organizational performance and gain a competitive advantage, businesses today realize that environmental sustainability and becoming green are key basic principles. The objective of this study is to investigate how Green Supply Chain Management Practices (GSCMP) would affect the operational performance of logistics companies in Sri Lanka. A questionnaire was used to gather primary data from the sample, which consisted of 152 logistics companies. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software was used to analyze the data using multiple linear regression. According to the study's findings, green packaging and green transportation have a significant impact on operational performance, whereas green purchasing has no significant impact. The contribution of this study addresses a gap in existing literature concerning the combined analysis of green purchasing, green packaging, green warehousing, and green transportation variables in relation to their impact on operational performance in the Sri Lankan context. And it is the first study to focus specifically on the Sri Lankan logistics sector. Also, the study identifies GSCMP adoption limitations in the logistics sector and lays out the foundations for future research to address those barriers.
Open Access
The impact of training on employee performance in a selected apparel sector organization in Sri Lanka
(Global Journals, 2021-02-24) Kuruppu, C. L; Kavirathne, C. S; Karunarathna, N
The success of any organization depends considerably on the standard of its human capital. Training is a more powerful weapon among Human Resource Management practices, which helps to develop knowledge and skills of employees in an organization. The objective of the study was to investigate the impact of training on operational level employees’ performance in a selected apparel organization in Sri Lanka. Through the analysis of 60 responses of randomly selected sample of machine operators; it shows that there is a strong, positive and significant relationship between training and performance with the correlation value of 0.817.The result of regression analysis indicates that there is a significant positive impact of training content and operational factors on employee performance. Upgrading the training content and identifying the training requirements specifically with a proper training duration are some of the recommendations that the researchers are suggesting improving employee performance.
Open Access
Parental Involvement, Demographic Factors, and its Effects on the Academic Success of Undergraduates in Sri Lanka
(SLIIT Business School, 2023-12-14) Delpitiya, A; Paththuwearachchi, D; Jayalath, W; Mendis, T; Karunarathna, N; Wickramarachchi, C
Parental involvement plays a pivotal role in the lives of their offspring. Education is a highly regarded aspect at present. Parents are concerned about their children and their education. In Sri Lanka, parents are involved in their children's academic lives. Therefore, common knowledge is that parental involvement impacts the academic performance of undergraduates, this phenomenon has not yet been conducted in the Sri Lanka context. Hence, to fill this empirical gap, this study aims to understand whether there is an impact of parental involvement and demographic factors on the academic success of undergraduates. Data were collected from state and private university undergraduates in the Western Province through a simple random sampling technique. The questionnaire was developed through a thorough analysis of the past literature available in the related field. Data were analyzed through Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS). Through analysis, it was found that there is insufficient evidence to prove that there is a significant impact of parental involvement on undergraduates. While the result deviates from common expectations, distanced parent-child relationships in the modern era may have caused this result. In addition to the contribution to the body of knowledge, this study assists educational institutions in policy implementation and parents and teachers in parenting and teaching respectively. Further, this study can be further extended with comprehensive coverage of undergraduates and getting the opinions from parents' side as well.
Open Access
The Role of Green Supply Chain Practices on Environmental Sustainability
(Emerald Publishing, 2022-12-01) Dassanayake, A; Gamaarachchi, T; Ranathunge, I; Karunarathna, N
: In the past decade environmental sustainability is one of the major considerations in supply chains all around the world. With noticeable environmental changes, companies couldn’t look past the negative environmental impact of their supply chains. Many customers expect companies to adhere to these sustainable practices to achieve sustainability, not only in the environmental aspect but also in the social aspect as well. The main purpose of the study was to conduct an in-depth analysis on Green Supply Chain Practices (GSCP) and how this environmental sustainability can be achieved through this concept and how Sri Lankan companies embed GSCP into their supply chain to reduce environmental impact. For this, supply chain phases such as procurement, manufacturing, transportation, warehousing, and reverse logistics were considered when developing the framework for the study. In each of these stages it focuses on how the companies can use GSCP to reduce energy consumption, water usage, reduce waste and emissions of the supply chain. The data were collected from Sri Lankan manufacturing companies by referring to secondary sources. Gathered data were analyzed using the narrative analysis method and furthermore the study findings indicated that there is a positive effect on environmental sustainability by the implementation of GSCP.
Open Access
The Role of Procurement Practices in Hotel Performance Enhancement
(SunText Review, 2022-05-25) Kannu, K; Newton, R; Kuruppu, C; Karunarathna, N
As a foremost factor of competitive edge, Procurement practices can be identified as a set of actions undertaken by a company to guarantee that its supply chain is managed properly, and they are crucial for maintaining a smooth operation and a healthy bottom line. This study aims to identify the impact of procurement practices on the hotel performance enhancement in Sri Lanka. This research examines and develops the notion of procurement practices such as, Buyer Supplier Relationship, Supplier selection procedures, Organizational capacity, and Procurement Process Management. A descriptive survey design was used in the study. The primary data was collected via a questionnaire from managers in the finance and procurement departments of 30 hotels around the country. The relationship between procurement practices and organizational performance was investigated using analytical tools such as Karl Pearson correlation and multiple regression analysis in this study with the support of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Moreover, financial performance was employed to quantify organizational performance in this study, and financial performance is a crucial component influenced by procurement procedures in Sri Lanka's hotel business. Consequently, this research provides a valuable insight for supply chain and procurement professionals to evaluate the comprehensiveness of their current procurement techniques in order to gain a competitive advantage.
Open Access
A study of the implications of logistics 4.0 in future warehousing: a Sri Lankan perspective
(researchgate.net, 2019-03) Karunarathna, N; Wickramarachchi, R; Vidanagamachchi, K
An effective combination of highly innovative logistics infrastructure plays a vital role in every business activity as a strategy of achieving competitive advantage. Currently, warehousing has been identified as one of the foremost value adding activities in supply chains. In the warehousing industry, automated intralogistics systems would be an ideal solution to eliminate the inefficiencies in conventional practices as well as to overcome the labour shortage issue. With the emergent trend of technology adaptation in industries, it is evident that Sri Lanka has the capability to apply these technologies up to a certain extent. Therefore, discovering the opportunities of logistics 4.0 implementation in Sri Lankan warehousing industry is highly demanding. This scrutiny has been conducted using a comprehensive and systematic review of literature published in relation to the areas of smart warehousing, smart logistics, intralogistics and Sri Lankan Third Party Logistics (3PL) industry. Through the effective categorization and integrative analysis, this paper intends to identify the ways of warehousing process improvements using the logistics 4.0 technologies while achieving the operational excellence. Further, it is expected to suggest the critical success factors affecting the logistics 4.0 implementation from the perspective of Sri Lankan 3PL warehousing Industry.