Research Papers - Department of Mechanical Engineering

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Author: search.filters.author.Silva, NStart date: 2020

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Now showing 1 - 3 of 3
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    Evaluating and prioritizing delay factors in naval ship maintenance using the analytic hierarchy process: a Sri Lanka navy shipyard case study
    (Taylor and Francis Ltd., 2026-02-18) Fernando, W. J; Silva, N; Perera, C
    Timely maintenance of ships and craft is critical for ensuring operational readiness, safety, and economic sustainability in the maritime sector. However, scheduled docking delays remain a persistent challenge globally, incurring significant financial losses and reducing fleet availability. This study presents a systematic, quantitative approach to identify and prioritize 22 critical factors causing delays in scheduled docking. Using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), the study evaluates the relative importance of these factors to support informed decision-making. A case study of the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) demonstrates the application of the proposed framework, revealing that 97% of docking delays occur before vessels enter the dock, with 31.8% of these delays attributable to deficiencies in the procurement of materials and spare parts. While the findings are based on a single case study of the SLN shipyard, they offer context-specific insights into the unique challenges faced by naval maintenance operations in developing regions.
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    Evaluating and prioritizing quality culture elements in the tire manufacturing industry: A case-based DEMATEL approach
    (Taylor and Francis Ltd., 2026-01-16) Silva, N; Bandara, S; Perera, C
    In today’s competitive manufacturing environment, developing a robust quality culture that supports continuous improvement and defect prevention is critical for long-term operational excellence and customer satisfaction. This study applies the Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) method to evaluate and prioritize the key elements shaping quality culture in a leading tire manufacturing company in Sri Lanka, offering a rare empirical application of DEMATEL in this context. Using a two-phase approach, Phase 1 involved a survey of 127 employees to identify seven critical elements, while Phase 2 analyzed expert evaluations from 16 professionals to establish causal relationships among them. The findings reveal that leadership (R + C = 14.40) and employee empowerment (R + C = 13.31) are the most influential drivers, followed by teamwork (R + C = 12.67), while focus on customer satisfaction, planning for quality, improvements and innovation, and standardized processes approach are primarily dependent elements. The built-in quality maturity framework and relative importance index were applied to assess the current implementation level of each element and identify performance gaps. The gap analysis highlights that leadership and employee empowerment are underperforming relative to expected levels, requiring immediate strategic enhancement. Managers should prioritize leadership and empowerment development to strengthen organizational quality culture and sustain competitiveness.
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    Technology Assessment of Herbal Products Industry in Sri Lanka
    (SSRN, 2021-06-29) Silva, N; Perera, H. S. C; Perera, L. C. D.T
    Production of herbal product is not only a local business but also has global market opportunities. Therefore manufacturing with proven quality and consistency is an important aspect. The manufacturers should gain technological competence to ensure authenticity and efficacy, complying the quality and safety regulations, enhanced productivity and efficiency. In the competitive market environment technology assessment is a tool which can be used in projecting future trajectories of technology as well as current performance level of the organization. Out of the available models and frameworks for technological assessments, this study has used inputs from two models namely, the Technology Audit Model by Garcea – Areola and Outline of Innovation Management Audit by Tidd et al. these inputs have been used to develop a single model that can be effectively adaptable to herbal products industry. There are two main objectives of the study. Firstly, develop a model which includes guide lines for technology assessment of the herbal products industry in Sri Lanka. Secondly, assessment of the level of technology position of LNP Ltd using the model and presenting recommendations for future improvements. To accomplish the objectives, the study has identified five broad areas of technology, namely Technological Environment, Technological Strategy, Innovations and Technology Development, Technology Component and Technology Transfer, against which the LNP Ltd has been analyzed. A check sheet to cover these elements has been used to guide through the assessment process. The elements using a three of the point scale ranging from High to Low (High -3, Low-1). The score of 3 for each element will represent the industry standard practice against which the other practices are measured.