Browsing by Author "Suraweera, T"

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Open Access
ACADEMIC SUCCESS OF PERSONS WITH VISUAL IMPAIRMENT AND BLINDNESS IN THE TERTIARY SECTOR: EXPLANATORY MODEL
(Available on-line at: www.oapub.org/edu, 2022-01-14) Suraweera, T; Bandara, S; Wickramarachchi, C; Dewage, N; Gunawardana, T; Nanayakkara, N; Yapa, E; Thelijjagoda, S; Jayathilaka, R
Ensuring universal access to education is an effective and sustainable means of empowering people with visual impairment and blindness. Literature confirms that blindness of a person is not a barrier for learning, yet past research brings about a range of diverse obstacles for productive engagement in education due to universities being designed for the sighted persons. Given that the persons with impairment are looked after comparatively better in the western world than in the developing nations for realising their challenging academic goals. Purpose of this paper is to present the findings of a comprehensive study on the academic work of persons with visual impairment and blindness in the tertiary sector. This population included recent undergraduates and those who have completed a university degree. The two distinct outcomes presented are; (first phase) the critical factors influencing the academic performance of persons with visually impairment and blindness and, (second phase) an explanatory model that characterizes the construct ‘the academic performance’. Using a semi-structured questionnaire, purposely selected eleven key informant interviews were utilized for the first phase for the qualitative investigation. Thematic analysis was used as the main method of data analysis. The Second phase employed a sample survey. Fifty respondents who had studied in universities during the 5-year period from 2015-2020 were selected through snow-ball sampling. Exploratory factor analysis was used as the main data analysis technique. The key findings of phase one revealed that external support, physical environment, motivation to learn, instructional strategies, ICT and English literacy are major contributory factors to academic performance. The second phase of the quantitative analysis derived five composite factors. Of these, the factor labeled “Motivating influences” appears to be mostly contributing to the academic performance of persons with visual impairment and blindness. While education is a lifelong endeavor of a person, these findings can contribute to make a substantial change in the quality of life of this community in the long run.
Open Access
Can visual impairment impact your income potential?
(PLoS ONE, 2023-04-20) Wickramaarachchi, C; Jayathilaka, R; Suraweera, T; Thelijjagoda, S; Kollure, L
People’s quality of life (QOL) has been disrupted globally in the wake of the pandemic in recent times. This was mainly due to global economic crises fuelled by the coronavirus (COVID– 19) and other related factors. Sri Lanka, too, was facing major social and economic constraints in the period 2021–2022. Thus, all communities islandwide have been economically disturbed. Among others, people with Visual Impairment and Blindness (VIB) have been pushed to severely disadvantageous positions, financially and otherwise. A sample from three geographical locations in Sri Lanka; and eleven individuals representing diverse cadres in Sri Lankan society were purposively selected for the study based on the existence of the majority of the visually impaired community using a mixed approach. Descriptive statistics were utilised to analyse the identified socio-economic characteristics. Ordered probit regression was employed to determine the mediating effect of socio-economic status on income levels. Word Cloud illustrates the factors affecting the QOL. Most severely impaired individuals are more likely to earn a lower rate of income. This situation has degraded their lives and poor QOL. Participants’ responses elucidate that facilities, resources, education, opportunities, income, employment, and government activities would enhance their QOL. The study adds value to society by recognising VIB people, helping them gain financial independence and strengthening them without marginalising the impaired community. The proposed policies in this study would be valuable for these social groups to address their wealth concerns.
Open Access
CHALLENGES & PROSPECTS FOR ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT OF PERSONS WITH VISUAL IMPAIRMENT & BLINDNESS ENGAGED IN SELFEMPLOYED VENTURES
(y Sri Lanka Forum of University Economists (SLFUE) Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2021-01-21) Dunuwila, V. R; Suraweera, T; Jayathilaka, R; Thelijjagoda, S
People with disabilities experience numerous barriers with regard to securing employment, thus, they are more likely to work for low wages, informally and precariously. Besides, some of them are entitled for a disability benefit which is often inadequate to cover their daily expenses (Global Disability Summit, 2018). Economic empowerment can be defined as a way of ensuring income security for people with disabilities to achieve income security, advance economically, enrich themselves through empowerment and autonomy to make economic decisions within and outside the home (Global Disability Summit, 2018). Self-employment is perceived as a viable option for empowering disabled individuals that facilitates achieving a balance between disability status and work life (Kitching, 2014; Pagán, 2009; Adams, et al., 2019). Pagán (2009) indicated the presence of a strong relationship between disability status and self-employment; thus, selfemployment rates were higher among people with disabilities compared to those who report no limitation in daily activities (Kitching, 2014; Pagán, 2009; Adams, et al., 2019). The Global Disability Summit (2018) indicates that obstacles to economic empowerment experienced by people with disabilities can vary depending on the nature of an individual’s impairment, their gender, socioeconomic status and the context in which they live. Adams, et al., (2019) further indicate that the decision to enter into self-employment for most disabled individuals were influenced by the ‘push’ factors such as lack of alternative employment opportunities, rather than the ‘pull’ factors such as passion or interest in a particular field, or the desire to work for themselves (Kitching, 2014; Adams, et al., 2019). Past research reveals that the disabled self-employed face significant problems in sustaining the business due to reasons such as consumer discrimination, inadequate training, poor access to information, absence of appropriate business support and challenges in accessing finance (Adams, et al., 2019; Kitching, 2014; Pagán, 2009; Vaziri, Schreiber, Wieching, & Wulf, 2014)
Open Access
Challenges of Mobility and Access to Transport for People with Visual Impairment and Blindness: An Exploratory Study
(Emerald Publishing, 2022-12-01) Suraweera, T; Bandara, S; WickramaArachchi, C; Perera, D
The ability to move around to get things done to fulfill one’s wants, and needs is critical for independent living, irrespective of his or her age or existence of impairments or disabilities. Safe and efficient mobility with confidence is widely recognized as influential factors of the positive wellbeing of persons with visual impairment and blindness. Inability to confidently move around pushes persons with visual impairment and blindness to a risk of social exclusion. Even though research into this area is significant, such research in developing countries like Sri Lanka is quite limited. While aiming at bridging the said knowledge gap, this research intended to explore challenges and obstacles of mobility and transport experienced by people with visual impairment and blindness in Sri Lanka. This study adopted a qualitative method through in-depth interviews. Fifteen persons with visual impairment and blindness were purposively chosen to represent a wide range of social and economic boundaries and interviewed in May-August 2021. With the prior consent of respondents, interviews were recorded and transcribed. The interview transcriptions were analyzed using a thematic approach. Data triangulation was done through focus group discussion and observation methods. The results confirmed that persons with visual impairment and blindness confronted challenges and obstacles in mobility and transport that is discussed in six themes: deficient infrastructure, access to information, improper attitudes of sighted persons, service provider issues, personal attitudes, and support. The findings urge the importance of implementing the existing provisions while introducing relevant public policies and social awareness.
Open Access
Change management in the context of IT project implementations
(SLIIT, 2010-12) Suraweera, T; Kumarapperuma, C. U; Wijayasinghe, P. M. T; Madushani, P. L. B; De Silva, G. H. K; Jayathilaka, Y. C. P
This research titled Change Management in the context of IT project Implementations is focused on identifying empirical and knowledge gap between ERP implementation and change management processes through answering the research questions ‘why ERP system implementation projects fail’ and ‘how change management practices influence ERP implementation project success?’. A case study methodology was adopted in this research to study the current ERP implementation process adopted by Sri Lankan organizations.
Open Access
Dynamics of Knowledge Leverage in ERP Implementation
(AIS Electronic Library (AISeL), 2007) Suraweera, T; Remus, U; Wakerley, S
This paper reports the results of an in-depth investigation of the knowledge management (KM) activities of an ERP implementation project within a dynamic business setting. Using a case study approach, this research examines the challenges faced by the ERP project team with respect to KM and the effectiveness of KM strategies. In addition to gaining insights into typical KM activities within the ERP project lifecycle, the research reveals that major barriers for effective KM are created by external business changes and the business process life cycle. These changes trigger a chain reaction resulting in the weak performance of key KM activities such as knowledge capture, sharing and retention. The need for a comprehensive array of KM initiatives that are capable of managing such changes by recognizing the dynamics of all three life cycles is highlighted.
Open Access
Effects of Seven Domains of Personal Well-being on Quality of Life of Persons with Visual Impairment and Blindness in Sri Lanka
(researchgate.net, 2021-08) Dunuwila, V. R; Jayathilaka, R; Attale, D; De Seram, H; Sudusinghe, D; Abeyrathna, I; Suraweera, T; Thelijjagoda, S
The quality of life (QoL) of people with disabilities is of interest to social researchers in most parts of the World. However, this is an area somewhat overlooked by society in general. It is obvious that the lifestyle of a person with visual disabilities may differ significantly compared to those who see the World with their own eyes. Additionally, persons with visual disabilities are known to experience specific challenges, unlike people who are sighted. Hence, the main objective of this study is to examine the extent to which the seven domains of the Personal Wellbeing Index (PWI), namely, the standard of living, achievements in life, community connectedness, close relationships, health, safety, and future security, impact the QoL of people with visual impairment and blindness. The sample of 64 participants, 34 blind and 30 visually impaired individuals, were obtained via purposive sampling from one among 25 districts, Hambanthota, in Southern Sri Lanka. Data collection was carried out through a tailored questionnaire, employed as a telephone survey, and through face-to-face interviews. The relationship between the seven domains of PWI and QoL was analyzed through standard statistical methods using SPSS. Further, demographic factors such as age and gender were also examined in the analysis. Results show that the majority of persons with visual impairment and blindness, in particular those in the age group 40-59, are satisfied with the seven domains of PWI. However, the PWI domain of ‘future of security is of significant concern to this community. The results also assert that the ‘community connectedness’ and ‘achievements in life’ are two areas that need to be looked into by the policymakers for sustained QoL among persons with visual impairment and blindness. Authors acknowledge contribution of the World Bank assisted AHEAD Research project of SLIIT Business School for support extended in relation to data collection and guidance.
Embargo
Factors Affecting Academic Performance of People with Visual Disabilities in the Tertiary Sector
(Faculty of Humanities and Sciences,SLIIT, 2021-09-25) Suraweera, T; Wickramarachchi, C; Dewage, N; Gunawardana, M; Nanayakkara, T; Yapa, N; Handapangoda, R; Wickramarachchi, C
The role of education in enriching people’s lives is an undisputed fact. Most past studies have been conducted on the factors affecting academic performance focused on the sighted learners engaged in education in the academic systems. Given that the persons with disabilities are guarded/protected comparatively better in the Western word than in the developing nations, achieving academic goals for visually handicapped persons could be further challenging. This research is aimed at exploring the critical factors influencing academic performance of visually handicapped persons in Universities of Sri Lanka, a developing nation. Adopting a qualitative approach, eleven persons were purposely selected to represent varying levels of academic achievements in universities as case study subjects. The data collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews were analysed mainly through thematic analysis. Having a clear understanding of the key elements influencing academic performance of persons who are visually handicapped could make a significant difference to this community and is an eye opener for the policy makers in the tertiary education sector.
Open Access
From ‘Frying Pan to Fire’: Unprecedented Challenges of COVID-19 on Blind People in Sri Lanka
(2021) Suraweera, T; Thelijjagoda, S; Jayathilaka, R; Bandara, S; Gunasekara, S; Hasintha, S
COVID-19 has shattered all wakes of people’s lives in most countries in diverse proportions. Sri Lanka being no exception, has experienced the spread in early March 2020 and later in September in the same year. Since then, the Government has implemented a wide range of far-reaching health measures and several other social restrictions with the view to combating the spread of the disease. Among the badly challenged fractions of the population due to pandemic was the people with disabilities. It is known that the persons with visually impairments and blindness represent the majority of this vulnerable community. The impact of the pandemic on the blind people are mostly untouched. Purpose of this paper is to examine the challenges of COVID-19 experienced by the blind people in the light of their social and economic life. A qualitative case study approach was adopted for data collection. Thirty-six blind persons representing of diverse livelihood activities, selected through purposive sampling method were interviewed. The interview transcriptions were initially examined through word cloud and subjected to thematic analysis for examining changes to social and economic activities. Results highlight that owing to COVID-19 pandemic shutdown, blind people have been severally disturbed in several aspects, some of which are unique to this community. The key challenges identified are related to mobility and transportation, acquisition of daily needs, disturbed social interactions, income earning opportunities, and information and communication. The precautionary measures implemented on COVID-19 pandemic has brought about disturbances that are relatively severer for the blind people on moving forwards with their day-to-day life activities, than the sighted people. The decision makers dealing with pandemic situations should take into consideration of inclusive policies.
Open Access
Implementing accounting software in small businesses in New Zealand: An exploratory investigation
(Academia, 2010) Pulakanam, V; Suraweera, T
The implementation of off-the-shelf small business accounting (SBA) software has become widespread among small and medium sized enterprises as it has become affordable and technically powerful. At the same time, selecting and implementing a suitable accounting software from among the numerous available software packages is often difficult for small businesses. Using interpretive approach based upon a qualitative research methodology, this paper explores the challenges faced by small businesses in New Zealand implementing SBA software. User confusion, lack of external guidance and support, and lack of accounting skills have been identified as major issues faced by small businesses in implementing SBA software. The external consultant’s play significant role in successful implementation of SBA software, but currently very little research has been done in this area.
Open Access
IN A QUEST FOR ‘WHAT THEY VALUE THE MOST’: PERSONS WITH VISUAL IMPAIRMENT AND BLINDNESS IN A CLUSTERED COMMUNITY IN SRI LANKA
(y Sri Lanka Forum of University Economists (SLFUE) Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2021-01-21) Attale, D.S.C; Sudusinghe, D. R; Abeyrathna, H. A. P. I; De Seram, S. S. H; Jayathilaka, R; Suraweera, T; Thelijjagoda, S
The community engagement and the resource requirements of a community would vary on the nature of the community. If one would broadly recognize persons with visual impairment and blindness (VI&B) as community per se, it is expected that their needs, resource requirements and the activities they engagedin would differ from the rest of the population in general. This research aims to explore the nature of resource requirements and the activities commonly engaged-in by a ‘community’ of persons with VI&B, in a ‘clustered village’ in Southern Sri Lanka. Though sociologists interpret the term community in various ways, this study adopts the definition of Sylvia Dale, (1990); “Community is a body of people living in the same locality…Alternatively, a sense of identity and belonging shared among people living in the same locality, Also, the set of social relations found in a particular bounded area” (Dale, 1990, p. 562). Accordingly, the ‘Siyanethugama’ 55th model village was developed by the National Housing Authority in 2018, where 27 families having at least one person in each with VI&B, would very well be embraced as a “community”. Each family is allocated a 10 perch land with a basic one-bedroom house. Visual impairment or vision impairment, is the degree of reduced vision level from low vision to total blindness that impedes a person’s ability to function at certain or many tasks. As at 2018, among the Sri Lankan population of 21 million (worldometer, 2020), considerably 1.7% of individuals carry a visual impairment (Devapriya, 2020). A study is yet be performed in the Sri Lankan context based on the theme “Resources and activities that VI&B people value the most in their lives”. The preference of an individual’s resources and activities may vary according to their demographic characteristics. This empirical study focuses on deriving what types of resources and activities the VI&B people ascertain the most in their lives, and how the demographic characteristics affect their lives based on their visual impairment type. This study contributes to draw attention from the government towards the VI&B people and types of actions the government can take, to improve the lifestyle of VI&B people in Sri Lanka.
Embargo
The Inﬂuence of IT Management Sophistication and IT Support on IT Success in Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises
(Taylor & Francis Group, 2013) Cragg, P; Mills, A. A; Suraweera, T
This study examined three factors that influence information technology (IT) success in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs): internal IT support, external IT support, and IT management. Using survey data gathered from 289 small and medium-sized Chartered Accounting firms in New Zealand, the results suggest that IT management in SMEs is best understood as a multidimensional concept consisting of practices related to: IT planning, IT organizing, IT controlling, and IT leading. This view clarifies and improves our understanding of the nature and character of IT management in SMEs. The results show that some SMEs are significantly more sophisticated than others in terms of their IT management practices. Both IT planning and IT leading were found to influence IT success.
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IT driven banking services in Sri Lanka: customer acceptance and service quality
(IEEE, 2006-12-06) Suraweera, T; Pulakanam, V; Guler, O
The implementation of IT projects such as acquiring and implementing accounting software systems has become widespread among small and medium sized enterprises (SME). Invariably the SMEs face numerous difficulties, especially at the initial stages of IT project implementation. Using case study approach, this paper explores the nature of and the processes related to managerial aspects of accounting software systems implementation projects in SMEs. The results provide valuable insights to the project management processes with respect to the implementation of software applications in the SMEs.
Embargo
IT Management in Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises
(IGI Global, 2010) Suraweera, T
Computer-based information systems have grown in importance to SMEs, and are now being used increasingly to help them compete. For example, many SMEs have turned to the Internet to support their endeavours. Although the technology that is being used is relatively well understood, its effective management is not so well understood. A good understanding of IT management is important, as the management of IT is an attribute that has the potential to deliver a sustainable competitive advantage to a firm (Mata, Fuerst, & Barney, 1995). This article shows that there is no one accepted view of the term “IT management” for either large or small firms. However, the term “management” is often considered to include the four functions of planning, organising, leading, and controlling. This framework has been applied to SMEs and specifically to their IT management. The article also shows that recent studies have shown significant links between IT management and both IT adoption and IT success. Resource-based theory is helping researchers gain a greater understanding of IT competences. These advances look likely to improve our understanding of the relationship between IT use and SME performance.
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IT Management Practices in Small Firms
(IGI Global, 2005) Cragg, P; Suraweera, T
Computer based information systems have grown in importance to small firms and are now being used increasingly to help them compete. For example, many small firms have turned to the World Wide Web to support their endeavours. Although the technology that is being used is relatively well understood, its effective management is not so well understood. A good understanding is important as the management of IT is an attribute that has the potential to deliver a sustainable competitive advantage to a firm (Mata, Fuerst, & Barney, 1995). This chapter shows that there is no one accepted view of the term “IT management” for either large or small firms. However, the term “management” is often considered to include the four functions of planning, organising, leading, and controlling. This framework can be applied to small firms and specifically to their IT management practices.
Open Access
IT management sophistication in small business: its definition, measurement and relationship with IT impact
(University of Canterbury. Accountancy, 2004) Suraweera, T
This research deals with information technology (IT) management in small businesses. Although IT management in large businesses has been extensively researched, only a handful of studies have focused on the small business sector. There are three specific objectives of this research: (a) to characterise IT management sophistication in small business, (b) to develop and validate a comprehensive instrument to measure this construct, and (c) to develop a model that explains the relationship between IT management sophistication and the IT impact, in the context of small business. The characterisation of the construct is based on the work of Raymond and Pare (1992) who explored the concept of IT sophistication within the context of small businesses. This study adopted a multi-method investigative approach, combining both case study research and survey methods. The study population was New Zealand's small chartered accountancy firms. Initially, a pool of indicators representing IT management sophistication in small business was derived on the basis of case study analysis. These indicators were used as the basis for drafting the measurement instrument which was tested within a wider population in the quantitative phase of the investigation. The second generation multivariate analytical technique, Partial Least Square (PLS) modelling, was used in the study's survey data analysis phase. This research characterised IT management sophistication in small business under three sub-dimensions: IT planning, IT controlling and IT leading. These factors were represented by nineteen indicators. The validity and reliability of the measurement instrument was examined in the PLS data analysis. A PLS model explaining the relationship between IT management sophistication, technological sophistication, and informational sophistication on one hand with IT impact on the other, in the context of small business was derived. The characterisation of IT management sophistication in small business will be useful for the researchers to understand this complex construct more clearly. The measurement instrument can be used to examine further the different aspects of IT management in small businesses. The model that related the study constructs will aid understanding the associated links between them. Practitioners will be able to use these results to improve upon their IT managerial practices to derive a greater impact of IT, which can, in tum, result in achieving higher organisational performance.
Open Access
Job seeker value proposition conceptualised from the perspective of the job choice theory
(2023-04-27) Jayasinghe, S; Suraweera, T; Samarasinghe, D
The job seeker value proposition (JSVP) can be defined as a set of benefits or values a firm promises its job seekers to deliver once they join it, signifying an indicator of its employer brand as well as focusing on job seeker attraction because it carries some information that helps the decisionmaking process of the prospective employees. In this concern, the job choice theory interprets the actual factors of a job seeker’s decision-making process, and therefore, it could be effectively used in conceptualising the JSVP. However, it is claimed that, in most cases, the job choice theory is not considered the basis for developing the construct of the JSVP. Therefore, taking the job choice theory into consideration, this paper aims to develop a framework for conceptualising the JSVP from a new perspective. Thus, through a systematic literature review, eight factors that explain the conceptual domain of the JSVP are discovered and, on the basis of them, eight propositions are made in developing a measurement scale for the JSVP. This study discusses the theoretical and practical implications of the proposed factor-based structure for the JSVP. Subsequently, the limitations in the present research are discussed, and suggestions are made for future research concerning JSVP constructs.
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Knowledge management implications in ERP implementations: Evidence from Sri Lankan Cases
(IEEE, 2008-12-12) Suraweera, T; Mahagederawatte, S; Kahandawaarachchi, C; Hewamallikage, P; Periyapperuma, D; Adipola, M
Knowledge management (KM) plays a major role in the success of implementing enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems in business organizations. This research aims to provide an in-depth understanding of ERP implementation processes in Sri Lanka. The major issues associated with KM in ERP implementations are brought into light and possible strategies for overcoming such issues are identified. The research builds on the work of Baskerville et al. (2006), and focuses on the importance of 'operational level' knowledge practices of capturing, integrating and sharing during ERP system implementations. Results of multiple case study interviews have been analyzed using cognitive maps to determine the issues deem to have a major impact on the success of ERP implementations. Some of the key strategies that can be used to overcome the problems associated with KM in ERP implementations are presented.
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Managing the implementation of IT projects in SMEs: An exploratory investigation
(IEEE, 2006-12-06) Suraweera, T; Pulakanam, V; Guler, O
The implementation of IT projects such as acquiring and implementing accounting software systems has become widespread among small and medium sized enterprises (SME). Invariably the SMEs face numerous difficulties, especially at the initial stages of IT project implementation. Using case study approach, this paper explores the nature of and the processes related to managerial aspects of accounting software systems implementation projects in SMEs. The results provide valuable insights to the project management processes with respect to the implementation of software applications in the SMEs.
Open Access
Measurement of IT Management Sophistication in Small Firms
(AIS Electronic Library (AISeL), 2005-12) Cragg, p; Mills, A; Suraweera, T
This study developed an instrument to measure IT management sophistication in small firms. Multiple-case studies were used to explore the concept of IT management sophistication in small firms and provide a pool of indicators representing IT management sophistication. Small chartered accountancy firms in New Zealand were surveyed and the data was analysed using PLS. The final model of IT management sophistication included three dimensions: IT planning, IT controlling and IT leading. The validity and reliability of the measurement instrument was examined thoroughly. The results provide a significant foundation for researchers of IT management in small firms.