Research Papers - Dept of Business
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Publication Embargo Decrypting the Digital Vault by Understanding Cryptocurrency Adoption Challenges Among Gen Z: Case of Sri Lanka(University of Nigeria Department of Mass Communication, 2025-01-01) Mallawaarachchi, S; Hemachandra, U; Jayakody, D; Wickramarathne, U; Lokeshwara, A.A; Bandara, G.CBackground: As digital natives, Gen Zs are at the forefront of embracing cryptocurrencies for technological innovation and financial empowerment. This study is part of a larger effort to understand the evolving trends in the world of cryptocurrency, highlighting the need for more research in this area. Objective: This study sought to explore the diverse challenges faced by Gen Zs while adapting to the usage of cryptocurrencies within the Sri Lankan context. Methodology: The researchers conducted this study using an inductive qualitative approach. Data were gathered through in-depth interviews with 24 participants, employing snowball sampling to recruit participants. The collected data were then analysed using thematic analysis, and the findings were presented in prose form. Results: The results of this study revealed three key themes that significantly impact the usage of cryptocurrency as a digital asset among Gen Zs in Sri Lanka: (i) Trust and security concerns, (ii) Market volatility and investment risks, (iii) Regulatory approach and cryptocurrency transactions. Conclusion: Although cryptocurrency has gained acceptance among Gen Zs, its usage is determined by factors that ensure that users harness its full benefits. Contribution: This study has revealed the diverse challenges that Gen Zs embraced when adopting cryptocurrencies. © 2025, University of Nigeria Department of Mass Communication. All rights reserved.Publication Open Access Critical risk factors influencing the management of disruptions in construction projects: Insights from recent challenges in Sri Lanka(Elsevier Ltd, 2025-01) Rajapakshe, WThe construction industry has a significantly contribute to the economy of Sri Lanka. However, in recent years, its overall share of the national output has declined, primarily due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, political instability, and ongoing economic challenges. Many construction firms halted projects and laid off employees, highlighting the critical need for effective risk management during crises to predict and mitigate risks. This study explores emerging risk factors in Sri Lanka's construction sector post-crisis. Using a three-phase linear decision-making model, the research combines a literature review, a survey of 290 construction professionals, and structural equation modelling (SEM) to identify major risk factors across four phases of risk management. Key risks out of 23 include general factors like health and safety issues, material costs, regulations, political interference, corruption, and labor shortages, while phase-specific risks involve delays, budget overruns, payment delays, and cancellations. The study revises the risk registers to improve risk management strategies. While the findings are context-specific to Sri Lanka, they may offer indicative insights for other developing countries facing similar crisis-driven disruptions. The practical implications extend to multinational and local companies, supported by data from 22 countries, offering a comprehensive framework for addressing construction industry challenges in volatile environments. The novelty of this study lies in its use of theoretical triangulation to align Classical Risk Management theory with real-world operational risk factors, revealing critical overlaps, behavioral influences, and contextual gaps in traditional frameworks.Publication Open Access Analysis on Current and Future Training Needs in Health Sector of Sri Lanka(SRAC - Romanian Society for Quality, 2022-08) Rajapakshe, W; Weerarathna, R. S; Pathirana, G.Y; Malage, M. HSri Lanka holds a unique position in South Asia as one of the developing nations to provide universal health. Government spending on welfare mainly involves compromising or constraining a country's development budget. It requires sound management strategies to utilize limited resources, including the human resource of the health sector. Training and development of health professionals can be identified as a critical component in strengthening the quality of health services. Fewer studies exist on Training Needs Analysis (TNA) on health professionals in Sri Lanka, and this study assessed the Training Needs of Sri Lanka's healthcare professionals. This is a cross-sectional study collecting data from 240 health sector professionals in Sri Lanka. The Hennessey Hicks Training Need questionnaire was used to obtain data. Data from the source was analysed through the oneway ANOVA to compare the training needs of various professional groups, and the Word Cloud Online tool was applied to analyse the open-ended questions. The study identifies published research evaluation, communicates with patients, identifies viable research, introduces new ideas, prioritizing works, assessing patients' needs, using technology, undertaking health promotion activities, collecting research information, and undertaking administrative duties as current training needs. While computer literacy training, training on new medical equipment, awareness programs on workplace stress-reducing, training on quality assurance certifications like ISO, programs on effectively communicating with patients, management training, and language training were identified as future training needs of professionals in the health sector. The study concluded that, continuous training programs as the preferred approach to access the performance gap. It also demonstrates that this awareness of information regarding the training needs is beneficial for the health sector policymakers, managers, employees, and the community. Having a better understanding of their job roles, performance needs, and involvement in the decision-making process is likely to motivate healthcare sector employees to improve service quality. These benefits will be reflected in positive outcomes on service quality, improving the overall healthcare system in the country.Publication Open Access Analysis on Future Training Needs in Health Sector of Sri Lanka(SRAC - Romanian Society for Quality, 2022-08) Weerarathna, R; Rajapakshe, W; Pathirana, G. Y; Malage, M. HSri Lanka holds a unique position in South Asia as one of the developing nations to provide universal health. Government spending on welfare mainly involves compromising or constraining a country's development budget. It requires sound management strategies to utilize limited resources, including the human resource of the health sector. Training and development of health professionals can be identified as a critical component in strengthening the quality of health services. Fewer studies exist on Training Needs Analysis (TNA) on health professionals in Sri Lanka, and this study assessed the Training Needs of Sri Lanka's healthcare professionals. This is a cross-sectional study collecting data from 240 health sector professionals in Sri Lanka. The Hennessey Hicks Training Need questionnaire was used to obtain data. Data from the source was analysed through the one-way ANOVA to compare the training needs of various professional groups, and the Word Cloud Online tool was applied to analyse the open-ended questions. The study identifies published research evaluation, communicates with patients, identifies viable research, introduces new ideas, prioritizing works, assessing patients' needs, using technology, undertaking health promotion activities, collecting research information, and undertaking administrative duties as current training needs. While computer literacy training, training on new medical equipment, awareness programs on workplace stress-reducing, training on quality assurance certifications like ISO, programs on effectively communicating with patients, management training, and language training were identified as future training needs of professionals in the health sector. The study concluded that, continuous training programs as the preferred approach to access the performance gap. It also demonstrates that this awareness of information regarding the training needs is beneficial for the health sector policymakers, managers, employees, and the community. Having a better understanding of their job roles, performance needs, and involvement in the decision-making process is likely to motivate healthcare sector employees to improve service quality. These benefits will be reflected in positive outcomes on service quality, improving the overall healthcare system in the country.Publication Open Access The Impact of Cultural Orientation on the Societal Motivations of Luxury Good Consumption of IT Professionals in Sri Lanka(researchgate.net, 2021-01) Dissanayake, L. D. A. D.The primary objective of the study is to examine the impact of cultural orientation on the societal motivations of luxury good consumption of IT professionals in Sri Lanka. Thus, the study has used a sample of 103 IT practitioners in Sri Lanka. Correlation and regression analysis have been used to achieve the primary objectives. Consequently, among the four independent variables; horizontal individualism, vertical individualism, horizontal collectivism and vertical collectivism, only vertical individualism has a signifcant and positive relationship towards the societal motivation of luxury good consumption. The other variables have negative none signifcant relationship towards social luxury good consumption. Regression analysis concludes that only vertical individualism is a signifcant predictor of social luxury good consumption motivation of IT professionals. The other variables are not signifcant predictors.Publication Open Access Employee Happiness Heals the Turnover Intention: A Study of the Machine Operators of a Leading Apparel Company in Sri Lanka(researchgate.net, 2022-03-08) Weerarathna, R. S; Somawardana, W. S. D; Weerasinghe, W. A. P. DHappiness is a highly valued goal for most inhabitants as identified in most cultures. Feeling fulfilled is essential to social existence, and most people appear to be fairly content most of the time. A high rate of turnover among employees signals a major weakness in achieving organization's goals. This is because employees are the key players in determining organizational performance and survival. In ABC Apparel Company, it was identified that the employees who were machine operators' position have resigned frequently due to several reasons related to work. As a result of preliminary research, researchers identified several factors that make employees unhappy resulting in intention to leave their job. The main objective of the study was to find the impact of employee happiness on turnover intention. The research study was conducted in ninety (90) samples using simple random sampling among five hundred sixty (560) employees in the machine operator position. A selfadministered questionnaire was distributed randomly to a sample of ninety (90) employees who were in the machine operator position used in this study, and data was collected accordingly. Findings proved that employee happiness impact on turnover intention and a relationship exists between employee happiness and turnover intention. The importance of having employees happy within an organization was highlighted from this studyPublication Open Access Evolving Expectations of HR Professionals Amid the Covid-19 Pandemic in Sri Lanka(researchgate.net, 2022-07) Weerarathna, R; Rathnayake, N; Perera, H; Wickramasena, D; Arambawatta, V; Kaluarachchi, RThis study explores the expectations of HR professionals in Sri Lanka in terms of their workplaces during the COVID19 pandemic. A qualitative research methodology was employed in this study with 16 semi-structured interviews of HR professionals in Sri Lanka. Results reveal that on-premise and hybrid work cultures are much preferred by HR professionals in Sri Lanka. Further, if the work culture transformation remains, their expectations are high regarding concerns in new work practices at the workplace triggered by the pandemic including worklife balance practices, crisis management practices, financial incentives, career progress and Work from Home (WFH) resources.Publication Open Access The Role of Micro Finance Institutions on the Development of Micro Enterprises (MEs) in Sri Lanka(2021-01-13) Rajapaksha, WAim: The study investigates the impact of microfinance practices on the growth of microenterprises (MEs) concerning the Central Province, Sri Lanka. It has been discovered that the growth of microbusinesses is dependent on gender, age, education level and nature of the industry. Design/Methodology/Approach: Multinomial Logistic Regression models was applied in this study. Multinomial logistic regression is frequently used for the analysis of categorical response data with continuous or categorical explanatory variables. Parameter estimates are usually obtained through direct maximum likelihood estimation. Two models were used to test the hypothesis concerning the three practices, micro-credit, training and advisory services. Primary data were obtained from 200 registered microenterprises (ME) owners in the Central Province through convenience sampling methods. Data collection was conducted using a self-structured questionnaire. Results and Conclusion: According to the results, microfinance practices have a significant relationship with the development of MEs, while Microcredit and advisory services have a significant impact on the development of MEs. Training programmes have not significantly impacted on the development of MEs. The research concludes that microfinance as a whole educates and helps to develop micro financed micro-scale enterprise businesses and positively impact those families in the Central Province, Sri Lanka. Research limitations/implications: Data were limited to select only one province in Sri Lanka out of nine using a self-structured questionnaire. Also considering the response rate and sample size, there are limitations to generalize the findings. This research was restricted to three variables micro-credit; Training and Advisory services impact of other factors that can influence the growth of MEs did not fall under the scope of this study. Originality and Value: The impact of microfinance practices on MEs growth in Central Province in Sri Lanka is an under-researched area of study. The findings of this study can act as a guideline in the future for decision-makers to identify factors that influence more on MEs development.Publication Open Access The Role of Micro Finance Institutions on the Development of Micro Enterprises (MEs) in Sri Lanka(South Asian Journal of Social Studies and Economics, 2021-01-13) Rajapakshe, WAim: The study investigates the impact of microfinance practices on the growth of microenterprises (MEs) concerning the Central Province, Sri Lanka. It has been discovered that the growth of microbusinesses is dependent on gender, age, education level and nature of the industry. Design/Methodology/Approach: Multinomial Logistic Regression models was applied in this study. Multinomial logistic regression is frequently used for the analysis of categorical response data with continuous or categorical explanatory variables. Parameter estimates are usually obtained through direct maximum likelihood estimation. Two models were used to test the hypothesis concerning the three practices, micro-credit, training and advisory services. Primary data were obtained from 200 registered microenterprises (ME) owners in the Central Province through convenience sampling methods. Data collection was conducted using a self-structured questionnaire. Results and Conclusion: According to the results, microfinance practices have a significant relationship with the development of MEs, while Microcredit and advisory services have a significant impact on the development of MEs. Training programmes have not significantly impacted on the development of MEs. The research concludes that microfinance as a whole educates and helps to develop micro financed micro-scale enterprise businesses and positively impact those families in the Central Province, Sri Lanka. Research limitations/implications: Data were limited to select only one province in Sri Lanka out of nine using a self-structured questionnaire. Also considering the response rate and sample size, there are limitations to generalize the findings. This research was restricted to three variables micro-credit; Training and Advisory services impact of other factors that can influence the growth of MEs did not fall under the scope of this study. Originality and Value: The impact of microfinance practices on MEs growth in Central Province in Sri Lanka is an under-researched area of study. The findings of this study can act as a guideline in the future for decision-makers to identify factors that influence more on MEs development.Publication Open Access Driving Organizational Change In The Midst Of The Crisis: How Does It Affect Employee Performance?(2021-01) Rajapakshe, WThe purpose of the study is to investigate how organizational change during a crisis influence employee performance, with special references to a virtual work setting and working from home. Primary data obtained from 295 employees from three commercial banks in Sri Lanka were selected through Stratified Simple Random Sampling. Descriptive statistics, linear regression analysis and multiple regression analysis are used for data analysis. The linear regression results explore that measures/variables such as changes in a communication system; leadership; Technology and Tolerance to change have a significant negative effect on employee performance, while the multiple regression analysis shows, only the changes in communication and leadership affect employees' performance during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data were limited to selected employees in three private commercial banks in Colombo, Sri Lanka using a self-structured questionnaire. The findings of this research rely on primary data collected from the grass root level. Also considering the response rate and sample size, there are limitations to generalize the findings. This research was restricted to four variables Changes in the communication system; Changes in leadership style; Technology advancement and Tolerance to change; impact of other factors that can influence employees' performance during the pandemic period did not fall under the scope of this study/were not covered. The impact of organizational change on employees' performance during COVID-19 is an under-researched area of study. Findings of this study can act as a guideline in future for managers to handle organizational change with lesser employee resistance to successfully manage where companies are forced to implement sudden changes.