SLIIT Business School Students Research Conference [SBSSRC]
Permanent URI for this communityhttps://rda.sliit.lk/handle/123456789/316
The Conference is open for all the business research students in Sri Lanka. The goal of the conference is to promote student research, while gaining and increasing the enthusiasm among students for academic research.
This conference gives the opportunity to showcase their scholarly work and to discuss the research interest with students with other Higher education institutions in Sri Lanka.
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Publication Open Access Accessing Customer Perceptions on Customer Adoption of Digital Banking Platforms; Private and Public Bank Comparison in the Post COVID –19 Pandemic in Sri Lanka(Emerald Publishing, 2022-12-01) Jayakody, J. A.D.P.M; Perera, K.N.M; Perera, D.S. I; Liyana Arachchige, K.P; Dunuwila, V.R; Lokeshwara, ADigitalization plays a significant role in every country at present. When referring to the banking field, banks introduce new digitalization features to their banking customers and motivate people to do their transactions on digitalization platforms. In this study as digitalization platforms, researchers consider ATMs, electronic fund transfers, SWIFT transfers, bank credit debit cards, digital bill payments, internet transactions, digital wallets, and E-vouchers. The main objective was to investigate the customer adoption of Digital Banking (DB)platforms during the post-COVID -19 pandemic in Sri Lanka. There were six independent variables short-formed as customer perceptions and dependent variable was customer adoption. This research is based on quantitative data gathered among the Sri Lankan people scattered in rural and urban areas. Researchers collected data by distributing google questionnaires among the people using cluster sampling method. 421 responses were collected. Analysing methods were correlation, regression and researchers used the SPSS tool for the analysis part. After the data analysis, researchers found there is a significant impact on perceived ease of use, accessibility, and digital literacy towards customer adoption and there isn’t a significant impact on perceived usefulness, perceived risk, and perceived trust to words customer adoption. Researchers concluded that the result as there is a higher number of private bank customers who indicated an intention for using digital banking platforms compared to public banking usage in Sri Lanka. This study is more important to the banking field for identifying customers’ DB usage factor identification and increasing their customers' DB usage and banking people could be able to identify the reasons that customers don’t adopt digital banking in their banking activities.Publication Open Access Adoption success of using Generative AI apps for the ECommerce Platforms in Sri Lanka(ICSDB 2024 and SLIIT Business School, 2024-12-10) Dilshan, A.; Wijayanayake, J.; Asanka, D.; Karunarathna, C.The digital landscape has witnessed the widespread influence of e-commerce, with the Information Technology industry embracing generative AI applications. This research aims to investigate the adoption success of existing e-commerce platforms in Sri Lanka in incorporating generative AI technologies. A systematic literature review using the PRISMA framework identified how generative AI is used in various industries, its Future Directions, Ethical Concerns, Security, and Privacy Considerations, and the most widely used and accepted models for understanding technology adoption. The Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) are the two most widely used in past research for the acceptance of technology. These two models and past literature were used to develop a conceptual framework. The variables in this research model were measured through questionnaires with five-point Likert scales and close-ended questions completed by the Software Engineering and Software development process-related employees in Sri Lanka. Data cleaning and demographic data analysis were conducted using IBM SPSS 21, and preliminary data analysis was performed using PLS-SEM (SmartPLS 4). The study found that generative AI apps are productive, effective, and capable of retaining users with a positive intention to use them in Ecommerce. High implementation costs negatively impact, and Low training and maintenance costs positively affect the intention of users to adopt generative AI apps. The factors such as innovativeness, perceived benefits, and level of attitudes, positively impact the overall adoption success. These findings are expected to guide Sri Lankan e-commerce platforms, aiding them in enhancing the successful adoption and seamless integration of generative AI apps. By aligning with the wisdom of TAM and its associated models, our research contributes to understanding the adoption success of Sri Lankan e-commerce platforms to embrace generative AI technologies.Publication Open Access Agent-Based Gamified Learning Environments for Data Science Education(SLIIT Business School, 2023-12-14) Jayalath, N; Rajapakse, CBecause of the rapid advancement of technology and the increasing importance of the inferences that can be drawn from the big data available in organizations, modern organizations require managers and data Analysts who are capable of data-driven decision-making. But data science students need a natural environment when it comes to learning data-driven decisionmaking, especially when it comes to predictive and prescriptive analytics. Due to costs and other associated risks in a natural organisation setting, it is hard for educational institutions to teach these aspects of decision-making for data science students. Even Though gamification has been implemented in the data analysis domain in various forms, the field still requires a suitable environment to learn predictive analytics interactively for the students. Even though Researchers have identified that Gamified learning environments can improve Predictive analytics learning can be improved by 15.8%, still there is the lack of proper implementation of a suitable gamified learning environment. This research focused on identifying drawbacks of existing learning environments and whether Agent-Based Modeling can be used in modelling a suitable gamified learning environment. Therefore, an agent-based prototype model of a parameterized environment that enables data-driven decision-making in a simulated environment was modeled using Agentbased modeling, which depicts real-life donor interactions. Results suggest that fill in blanks This Agent-based model can be used as a learning environment for data analysis. Upon further modification, A game that applies this Agent-based model can be developed.Publication Embargo ANALYSIS OF CUSTOMER SATISFACTION AND INTERNET SERVICE QUALITY DURING THE COVID 19 PANDEMIC IN SRI LANKA(SLIIT Business School, 2019-12-10) Rashad, M.N.M.; Hansini, M.P.; Muthugala, M.H.N.; Karunarathne, U.W.S.P.; Munasinghe, R.M.; Bulathsinghala, A.S.K.The tracking of Service Quality is an important consideration for a business as customers may go with an alternative service provider if they are dissatisfied with the standard. In particular we look at Internet Service Providers (ISP) and research the impact of Internet Service Quality (ISQ) on Customer Satisfaction. The prevailing COVID-19 situation in Sri Lanka reveals the importance of this study as government rules and regulations have been imposed to promote work from home, online learning and online entertainment. Previous studies have looked at the influence of ISQ on Customer Satisfaction in other countries – however to the best of our knowledge, no such evaluation has been done in Sri Lanka. Furthermore, in the context of COVID-19 the existing literature is lacking. Past research identifies the following factors which impact ISQ: Tangibility, Assurance, Empathy, Reliability, Responsiveness (Eze, et al., 2008) and Price (Joudeh & Dandis, 2018). This study was carried out as a deductive study and a quantitative method was employed. Our sample included 500 respondents obtained from the convenience sampling method by distributing a questionnaire survey among university undergraduates within Sri Lanka. The findings revealed that there is a positive relationship between Internet Service Quality and Customer Satisfaction. The study was also able to extract insights for ISP managers by highlighting the aspects of ISQ which can satisfy their customer base as well as measures which could be taken with reference to the practice gaps identified.Publication Open Access Antecedents of Internal Stakeholder Satisfaction of Agile Projects: Evidence from the Sri Lankan Software Industry(ICSDB 2024 and SLIIT Business School, 2024-12-10) Kasturiarachchi, S.; Senevirathne, V.V.K.Internal stakeholder satisfaction is critical for project success. Adopting agile methodologies in software projects is perceived as a more adaptable approach than traditional project management methods, potentially leading to higher internal stakeholder satisfaction. However, numerous agile projects in the Sri Lankan software industry struggle with poor internal stakeholder satisfaction. Addressing this gap, the study has investigated the drivers of internal stakeholder satisfaction in agile projects within the Sri Lankan software industry. Accordingly, the five most appropriate practices – communication among internal stakeholders, frequent customer feedback, iterative development, collaboration, and flexibility to adopt customers’ late changes and a mediating factor – trust were identified, forming the basis for the conceptual framework. To evaluate it, the researchers analysed data from 137 internal stakeholders using multiple linear regression. The results showed that trustworthy communication, iterative development, and collaboration have a positive impact on internal stakeholder satisfaction, while mere communication among internal stakeholders, frequent customer feedback, and flexibility to adopt customers' late changes do not significantly impact internal stakeholder satisfaction in this context. The research provides valuable insights and practical recommendations to enhance internal stakeholder satisfaction in agile projects.Publication Open Access The Appropriateness of Organizational Structure for Project Performance: An Exploratory Study of Public Sector Organizations in Sri Lanka(SLIIT Business School, 2023-12-14) Bandara, GThe objective of this paper is to explore the most appropriate type of structure that can improve project performance of public sector organizations in Sri Lanka. The study utilized the qualitative approach conducting ten structured interviews with project management administrators in the selected five public sector organizations and performing thematic analysis on the coded responses. According to the findings, of the five types of structures; functional, weak matrix, balanced matrix, strong matrix and projectized, strong matrix and projectized structures are advantageous to achieve project scope, time, cost, and customer satisfaction. Hence, the senior authorities at Sri Lankan public sector organizations must take actions to revise their existing structure into a strong matrix or projectized structure for achieving eminent project performance by fulfilling project scope, time, cost, and customer satisfaction.Publication Open Access Assessing the Effectiveness of Curbside Pickup Process in Sri Lankan Restaurant Industry(Emerald Publishing, 2022-12-01) Godakumbura, K. E; Kasthuriarachchi, SPandemic situation pushed people to explore many different paths to fulfill their basic requirements. Generally pandemic did a considerable progress to enable ecommerce/online capabilities on almost every supplier/producer. People tried the benefit of contactless delivery services and pickup options. As a result, most of the western countries get used to help their grocery shopping and food ordering with curbside pickup. Existing research found some limitations in online delivery methods. This research used actual data collected through survey questionnaires from customers who are using online ordering applications and accordingly descriptive and inferential statistical data has been used to conduct the data analysis. Throughout the research findings, there were strong positive relationships identified in Efficiency, Time, and Convenience factors with curbside pickup. Also, moderate strong positive relationship between Cost and Curbside pickup. This research concludes that the effectiveness of curbside pickup method has positive influence with the variable factors. In future curbside pickup will illuminate the existing issues related to the ongoing online delivery methods.Publication Open Access Beyond Gender Diversity: Two Shades of Women Directors and Bank Cash Holdings(SLIIT Business School, 2023-12-14) Abid, A; Younas, ADrawing upon the precautionary savings theory and agency theory, the researchers present two competing hypotheses to examine the influence of women directors, critical mass, and the attributes of women directors (specifically, educational expertise in terms of level and type, and financial expertise) on decisions related to bank cash holdings. Utilizing a dataset comprising 1375 observations representing 187 Asian commercial banks spanning from 2011 to 2019, it is discovered that women directors (as well as a critical mass of women directors) exhibit a negative correlation with bank cash holdings, supporting the agency problem-based explanation. These findings remain robust across alternative econometric specifications and varied measures of cash holdings. Concerning the impact of educational expertise, results from the Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) analysis indicate that women directors with a high level of education reduce the level of cash holdings, and those with qualifications in business/accounting/finance also decrease the level of cash holdings when measured by CASH1. Notably, the results reveal that women directors with a financial background increase excess cash holdings, aligning with the precautionary savings-based explanation. The findings contribute valuable insights to the ongoing global discourse on gender diversity and its ramifications for the banking sector.Publication Open Access Bridging the Waves: A Study of Gender Dynamics and Career Experiences Among Women Seafarers(ICSDB 2024 and SLIIT Business School, 2024-12-10) Karunatilleke, A.W.; Herath, H.M.R.P.R.; Gunasekare, T.This research paper explores the perspectives of women seafarers regarding their experiences in the traditionally male-dominated maritime industry. Through qualitative interviews, this study aims to understand the unique challenges and opportunities women face at sea. Key themes identified include workplace discrimination, gender dynamics, work-life balance, and career progression. The findings highlight the significant barriers to entry and advancement that women encounter, such as limited mentorship opportunities and systemic biases. Despite these challenges, many women express job satisfaction due to the adventurous nature of seafaring and the sense of community. The study also underscores the importance of supportive networks and policies that promote gender equality on board ships. The insights gained from this research provide valuable implications for industry stakeholders to enhance the work environment for women seafarers, fostering greater diversity and inclusion. Recommendations for future research include longitudinal studies to track changes over time and the examination of specific interventions aimed at improving conditions for women in maritime rolesPublication Open Access Can “Build-operate and transfer” be a gamechanger for the future of Colombo port?(Emerald Publishing, 2022-12-01) Leuwanduwa, H. C; Katudampe, K.T.B.P; Wijewardhana, M.A.R.H; Wikramarathna, H.A; Karunarathna, K. N. P; Thelijjagoda, SThe purpose of this research is to investigate the importance of private-public partnerships in the development of container terminals. The study will thoroughly examine the necessity of Private Public Partnerships (PPP) and its impact in increasing as well as in finding investments, when developing container terminals. We gather qualitative, statistical information & facts related to the sector from primary & secondary sources to identify & analyse elements like current and past capacities, history of handling volumes, efficiency rates, productivity, revenue etc. on various terminals established within the port of Colombo. Due to major benefit of sharing capital funding responsibility and public risk with the private sector, this analysis shows that resorting to PPP-based projects is a much healthier alternative for SLPA. In addition, the PPP spectrum serves to highlight the SLPA's efforts to develop appropriate models, such as the BOT model, in response to the growing demand for shipping line services. The SAGT & CICT, which were created as contemporary container terminals under BOT conditions, have been successful. The introduction of BOT-based investments has improved the Colombo port's performance levels and enhanced the SLPA's motivation.Publication 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, DThe 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.Publication Open Access Changing Paradigms of Supply Chains(SLIIT Business School, 2023-12-14) Venkatesh, V. G.There has been a paradigm shift in the functioning of global supply chains, particularly in thepost-pandemic era. This shift is characterized by the convergence of technology. deployment, geopolitical dynamics, and an increased awareness of environmental and social responsibilities. These transformative changes compel businesses to navigate a complex. web of challenges while simultaneously creating many opportunities for global supply chains. This includes delegating responsibilities to the supplier side, empowering suppliers, and promoting digital supply chain networks.Publication Open Access Circular Economy, Digitalization and Inter-Organizational Collaboration: The Marvelous Trio(ICSDB 2024 and SLIIT Business School, 2024-12-10) Greco, MThe idea of supporting the transition toward a circular economy increasingly attracts managers for many good reasons, such as the institutional pressures from governments and society, the desire to imitate the industry leaders that increasingly disseminate their circular economy initiatives, the growing space sustainability and circular economy have in education and training programs, and the challenges associated with raw materials. This keynote speech will discuss how the quest to make a firm’s products and processes ‘more circular’ needs a team effort with other organizations and a fair dose of digitalization. The audience will be left with some thought-provoking questions about how inter-organizational collaboration, digitalization, and circular economy innovation intertwine.Publication Embargo Corporate Governance on Capital Structure Decisions: Evidence from Listed Non-financial Companies in Sri Lanka – Quantile Regression Approach(SLIIT Business School, 2019-12-10) Chathurya, P.A.D.; Perera, D.K.T.S.; Perera, G.K.S.S.; Fernando, W.C.The main objective of this study is to discuss about how corporate governance has an impact on the capital structure decisions. The focus of this empirical study emphasis on the top 100 market capitalization non-financial companies as at 31st December 2018 in CSE for 2012- 2018-year period. Quantile regression analysis is used to determine the relationship between corporate governance variables such as, CEO duality, Board size, Number of committees, Board balance, and gender diversity on capital structure decisions of the listed non-financial companies. Due to non-normal distribution of data which was identified using higher variance in kurtosis and skewness created a disadvantage of using OLS model which shows the results conditional to the mean. Therefore, quantile regression method was used in order to determine the above mentioned objective in an accurate manner. The results indicate that, gender diversity has significant negative relationship and board committees have statistically significant positive relationship to different levels of capital structure. Board size, board balance, CEO duality, doesn’t have significant impact on different levels of capital structure decisions. The interpretation of the results and the reasons for such variations were identified.Publication Embargo COVID-19 MODIFYING THE DYNAMICS OF FINANCIAL REPORTING: AN EXPLORATORY STUDY(SLIIT Business School, 2019-12-10) Nagendrakumar, N.; Lokeshwara, A.A.; Naresh, R.; Abeywickrama, D.P.; Hewaarachchi, S.H.; Edirisinghe, A.M.I.E.The COVID-19 pandemic has influenced many business sectors worldwide, including the Accounting and Finance reporting perspectives. This motivated the researchers to investigate how the pandemic has affected the financial reporting of listed companies in the Sri Lankan context. It was evidenced that the empirical studies on the influence of COVID-19 on corporate financial reports based on accounting standards and techniques are still in the beginning stages; therefore, this paper sets the foundation in bridging the existing knowledge gap by examining how Covid-19 has modified the dynamics of financial reporting. This study is exploratory in nature, and the researchers adopted interpretivism philosophy and have used an inductive approach in conducting the research. The case study method was adapted, where in-depth and semi-structured interviews were applied to collect data. The study population is one hundred and fifty-eight (158) companies consisting of six (6) sectors: Banking, Materials, Consumer services, Diversified financials, Capital goods, and Telecommunication in Colombo Stock Exchange, out of which seven (7) sub-cases were chosen under the purposive sampling technique and the collected data were analyzed on thematic procedures using the Wordcloud analysis tool. Based on the findings, it was revealed that reporting aspects of different sectors were influenced differently by COVID- 19. LKAS 1(Going concern), LKAS 2 (Inventory), LKAS 16 (Cost of depreciation), SLFRS 13 (Fair value measurement) are a few of the standards generally mentioned by the respondents. The result of this study contributes to filling the existing knowledge gap and will be a value addition to contemporary academia.Publication Open Access A Critical Literature Review on Nexus of Bullying and the Whisperings of Turnover Intentions in Sri Lanka's Higher Educational Sphere(ICSDB 2024 and SLIIT Business School, 2024-12-10) Kevitiyagala, L.; Joshep, K.; Rajapaksha, S.; Illangamatilake, K.; Jayasinghe, P.; Rathnayake, N.Workplace bullying is defined as repeated mistreatments and harassment aimed towards an organisational member by other individuals or groups within a workplace context. It remains a critical concern across the globe in various industries negatively impacting the employees’ wellbeing and organisations’ reputation to date. This critical literature review delves into the definite context of academics in the higher education sector in Sri Lanka to explore the relationship between workplace bullying and turnover intentions. This critical literature review examines the theoretical framework, methodological strategies, and empirical data to shed light on the complex relationship between workplace bullying and turnover intentions among academics in the higher education sector of Sri Lanka. By directing attention to these dual aims, this study pursues to understand the underlying mechanisms that link workplace bullying to turnover intentions. This proposed study also explores the moderating role of leadership styles on the relationship between workplace bullying and turnover intentions. The thorough evaluation of methodological strategies captures the complexities of workplace bullying experiences and the implications in the existing research studies. This critical literature contributes to further enhancing the existing literature on workplace bullying and turnover intentions by providing insights into its prevalence and influence within academics in the higher education sector of Sri Lanka. Furthermore, highlights the importance of preventing workplace bullying and creating a supportive work environment in higher educationPublication Open Access Critical Success Factors of Electronic Government Procurement (E-GP) Implementation in Sri Lanka(ICSDB 2024 and SLIIT Business School, 2024-12-10) Dikmadugoda, L.Electronic Government procurement is one aspect of the E-Government concept. It offers to the value for money, cost-saving, better fiscal policy management, and substantial competition and a stronger marketplace. Many countries all over the world including developing countries such as Bhutan, Napal, and Bangladesh obtained advantage through the digitalization of government procurement. The main objectives of the study are measure to the level of eprocurement practises in the public sector in Sri Lanka and examine to the critical success factors in adopting e-procurement in Public Sector Institutions in Sri Lanka. The population of the study comprises of the national-level public sector entities such as Ministries, Departments, Statutory Boards and Public Companies and Registered vendors. A sample of procurement entities was selected on convenience sample method. This research based on quantitative studies and Quantitative data collected through a structured questionnaire to identify the determinants of successful e-procurement adoption and the level of e-procurement usage. The survey results of this study affirm the pivotal role of organizational, legal, and environmental factors in driving the successful implementation of electronic government procurement, consistent with the findings outlined in the literature review. Concurrently, the survey underscores the limited influence of technology and political factors on the e-government Procurement (e-GP) implementation in Sri Lanka. Despite these nuances, the overarching objective of the research remains unchanged: to offer a streamlined pathway for the swift and effective adoption of Electronic Government Procurement practices across all sectors of the government.Publication Open Access Delving into the Generational Spectrum: Internal communication of leaders with Gen Z in the Corporate Context(ICSDB 2024 and SLIIT Business School, 2024-12-10) Pathirana, G.; Kumarasena, N.; Rathnayake, C.; Maduranga, S.; Dayawansha, P.; Ehalapitiya, S.This study investigates the internal communication strategies employed by workplace leaders to bridge the communication gap with Generation Z within organizational settings. Using semi-structured interviews with 15 corporate leaders until data saturation was achieved, the research captures leaders' evolving perspectives on engaging with Gen Z employees. Findings reveal that while many leaders are transitioning from traditional communication methods toward approaches that resonate with Gen Z, certain areas of Gen Z’s communication expectations remain unmet. Addressing these gaps is critical as Gen Z increasingly shapes the workforce, necessitating an understanding of their distinct communication styles and values. This study uniquely contributes to the discourse on generational communication within organizations, highlighting the role of effective leader-Gen Z interaction in fostering a cohesive work environment.Publication Embargo Determinants of Turnover Intention of Sewing Machine Operators in Sri Lanka(SLIIT Business School, 2019-12-10) Nagendrakumar, N.; Dissanayake, L.D.A.D.; Guruge, P.R.G.; Panagoda, K.D.; Jayasekara, M.E.N.; Kavindya, M.A.P.This study aims to identify the relationship between the determinants of the turnover intention of SMO’s in the apparel industry in Sri Lanka. The study adopted the deductive approach using the judgmental sampling in selecting the factories of four and the convenient sampling in selecting the respondents of 321. A structured questionnaire was administered, and the number responded was 274. The Pearson correlation was employed in testing the hypotheses and the study found that the job condition, living and social condition, personal characteristics, HRM activities, negating sexual harassment, and responsibilities are the significant determinants of the turnover intention of SMO's in the apparel industry in Sri Lanka. This study highlights the importance of having a policy decision to reduce the turnover intention of SMOs in the apparel industry since the apparel exports hold a prominent place in Sri Lankan economy as its contributions cover a significant portion of the country's exports.Publication Open Access Digital Distilleries: Navigating Industry 4.0 Trends in Sri Lanka’s Beverage Industry(ICSDB 2024 and SLIIT Business School, 2024-12-10) Thakshila, P.; Kushani, M.; Darshana, S.; Herath, B.; Pathirana, G.; Jayasinghe, P.; Ehalapitiya, S.Industry 4.0 is a rapidly evolving paradigm allowing industries to explore digital transformation opportunities to provide services and products to both existing and new markets at competitive prices. Developed nations have largely capitalized on Industry 4.0, creating fresh market opportunities by embedding advanced technologies in industrial processes. This research assesses the readiness for implementing Industry 4.0 in Sri Lanka’s beverage sector through primary data. Using focus group interviews with managerial-level employees in large-scale beverage firms, this study identifies technical, operational, and market/environmental factors as key influences in adopting Industry 4.0 in this sector. The findings contribute actionable insights into strategic pathways for digital transformation.