Research Publications

Permanent URI for this communityhttps://rda.sliit.lk/handle/123456789/4194

This main community comprises five sub-communities, each representing the academic contribution made by SLIIT-affiliated personnel.

Browse

Filters

2020 - 20264

Advanced Search

Filter by

Settings

Author: search.filters.author.Perera, CSubject: search.filters.subject.Sri Lanka

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 4 of 4
  • Thumbnail Image
    PublicationOpen Access
    Integration of industry 4.0 technologies to overcome lean manufacturing barriers in Sri Lanka’s apparel sector
    (Emerald Publishing, 2026-02-09) Silva, N; Hettiarachchi, D. I; Perera, P; Perera, C
    Purpose – This study aims to examine how Industry 4.0 (I4.0) technologies can enable Lean Manufacturing (LM) practices in Sri Lanka’s apparel industry. Although LM has been widely adopted to improve efficiency and reduce waste, persistent barriers such as frequent product changes, limited real-time visibility and infrastructural constraints have restricted its full potential. The purpose of this research is to explore how advanced digital solutions, including Internet of Things (IoT), real-time analytics and augmented/virtual reality (AR/VR), can address these barriers and enhance the competitiveness and sustainability of apparel manufacturing in a dynamic global market. Design/methodology/approach – A qualitative single-case study design was used to provide an in-depth understanding of digital–lean integration. The research was conducted in collaboration with a leading Sri Lankan apparel manufacturer. Data were collected through on-site factory observations, semi-structured interviews with managers and employees and examination of company records. Using Yin’s (2018) case study methodology as a guiding framework, the study analyzed how selected I4.0 technologies were implemented alongside lean tools and how these interventions addressed identified operational inefficiencies. Findings – The study found that I4.0-enabled solutions significantly enhanced lean practices by improving production workflow transparency, defect detection and downtime reduction. Tools such as IoT-linked dashboards, electronic Kanban systems and automated performance monitoring minimized non-value-adding activities and reduced bottlenecks. AR/VR applications demonstrated potential for training and machine setup, while predictive maintenance improved equipment reliability. However, the research also identified persistent shortcomings, including data confidentiality issues, workforce adaptability challenges and high capital investment requirements. The findings highlight both the opportunities and practical limitations of integrating digital technologies into lean environments. Research limitations/implications – The research was limited to a single case study of a large apparel manufacturer in Sri Lanka, which constrains the generalizability of findings. Data confidentiality policies restricted access to detailed financial information, preventing quantitative analysis of productivity gains and return on investment. Future studies could extend this research by including multiple firms across varying scales and geographies, enabling comparative insights. Broader empirical studies that quantify the financial outcomes of digital–lean integration would provide further validation and support for industry-wide adoption. Practical implications – For practitioners, the study offers a roadmap for integrating I4.0 technologies with lean practices in apparel manufacturing. The evidence suggests that digital lean tools can enhance transparency, improve workflow efficiency and support more accurate decision-making. Managers should prioritize investments in IoT-enabled monitoring, predictive maintenance and digital visual management systems while addressing workforce readiness through training programs. Attention must also be given to cybersecurity and change management to ensure sustainable implementation. These findings are particularly relevant for resource-constrained firms seeking to maximize operational efficiency while navigating global competitive pressures. Social implications – The integration of I4.0 and LM in Sri Lanka’s apparel sector holds broader social benefits by safeguarding employment in a critical export industry that provides livelihoods for over 300, 000 workers. Enhanced productivity and competitiveness contribute to economic stability and foreign exchange earnings. Moreover, digital lean practices can reduce waste, contributing to environmental sustainability and aligning with global sustainable development goals. By strengthening the resilience of the apparel sector, these advancements can help sustain jobs and improve working conditions, particularly in developing country contexts where apparel remains a cornerstone of industrial growth. Originality/value – This study provides one of the first in-depth examinations of how I4.0 technologies can act as enablers of LM in the Sri Lankan apparel industry. Unlike prior studies that treat lean and digital transformation as separate trajectories, this research highlights their synergies and tradeoffs in practice. By capturing both the benefits and shortcomings of digital lean tools, the paper contributes to theory by extending understanding of lean–I4.0 integration in emerging economy contexts. It also offers practical value by providing industry-specific insights that can inform managers’ strategic decisions on digital transformation.
  • Thumbnail Image
    PublicationEmbargo
    Navigating economic crisis: Factors shaping resilience in Sri Lankan construction SME supply chains
    (Taylor and Francis Ltd., 2025) Madhavika, N; Bandara, M; Manchanayake, M; Perera, C; Bandara, W; Jayasinghe, P; Ehalapitiya, S
    In today’s construction industry, supply chains are subject to much greater disruption than they were in the past, resulting in a greater need for resilience. However, there is a gap in the literature that examines the resilience of construction small and medium scale Enterprises (SMEs) specifically focusing on developing countries. This article is a step towards identifying the factors influencing the resilience of construction SME supply chains taking the case of Sri Lanka: a developing country which is currently amidst a major economic crisis. This research study adopted a mixed-method approach, employing 08 structured interviews with employees ranging from executive level to top level management of 08 construction SMEs followed by a questionnaire survey considering a sample of 195 construction SMEs also with executive level to top level management of each construction SME. The findings indicated that Collaboration, Entrepreneurial Orientation (EO), Internal Integration, and Outsourcing have a positive significant impact on the resilience of Sri Lankan construction SMEs’ supply chains during an economic crisis, while ‘collaboration’ and ‘EO’ are the most influential factors respectively. Therefore, construction SMEs must prioritize and enhance collaboration and EO when devising supply chain strategies to strengthen resilience during economic crises. This paper contributes to filling the research gap by investigating factors influencing construction SME supply chains in a developing country during an economic crisis. Moreover, it contributes to the knowledge by being one of the latest empirical studies focusing on the construction SME supply chains in Sri Lanka. The findings provide a valuable reference for both policymakers and practitioners seeking to improve the resilience of construction SME supply chains.
  • Thumbnail Image
    PublicationEmbargo
    Navigating economic crisis: Factors shaping resilience in Sri Lankan constructionSME supply chains
    (Taylor and Francis, 2024-10-05) Madhavika, N; Bandara, M; Manchanayake, M; Perera, C; Bandara, W; Jayasinghe, P; Ehalapitiya, S
    In today’s construction industry, supply chains are subject to much greater disruption than they were inthe past, resulting in a greater need for resilience. However, there is a gap in the literature that examinesthe resilience of construction small and medium scale Enterprises (SMEs) specifically focusing on develop-ing countries. This article is a step towards identifying the factors influencing the resilience of construc-tion SME supply chains taking the case of Sri Lanka: a developing country which is currently amidst amajor economic crisis. This research study adopted a mixed-method approach, employing 08 structuredinterviews with employees ranging from executive level to top level management of 08 constructionSMEs followed by a questionnaire survey considering a sample of 195 construction SMEs also with execu-tive level to top level management of each construction SME. The findings indicated that Collaboration,Entrepreneurial Orientation (EO), Internal Integration, and Outsourcing have a positive significant impacton the resilience of Sri Lankan construction SMEs’ supply chains during an economic crisis, while‘collaboration’ and ‘EO’ are the most influential factors respectively. Therefore, construction SMEs mustprioritize and enhance collaboration and EO when devising supply chain strategies to strengthen resili-ence during economic crises. This paper contributes to filling the research gap by investigating factorsinfluencing construction SME supply chains in a developing country during an economic crisis. Moreover,it contributes to the knowledge by being one of the latest empirical studies focusing on the constructionSME supply chains in Sri Lanka. The findings provide a valuable reference for both policymakers and prac-titioners seeking to improve the resilience of construction SME supply chains
  • Thumbnail Image
    PublicationOpen Access
    An empirical study of students’ satisfaction with professional accounting education programs, Sri Lanka
    (researchgate.net, 2020-07-29) Nadishana, G. S. W. Y; Ameen, Z; Kulatunga, K. A; Perera, A; Perera, C; Madhavika, W. D. N; Nagendrakumar, N
    This study aims to analyze the factors affecting students' satisfaction with professional accounting courses offered by Professional Accounting Education Institutions, and then aims to assess the impact of students' satisfaction and students' loyalty towards Professional Accounting Education Institutions in Sri Lanka. It is evident that a significant gap exists between student enrolment and the rate of students’ passing out as professional accountants as per the annual reports of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka and the Institute of Certified Management Accountants of Sri Lanka (2014-2018). The study adopted a deductive methodology while employing a stratified random sampling technique and distributed 500 questionnaires which had a response rate of 80%. The data was analyzed using structural equation modeling via SPSS and AMOS versions 25. The study concludes that course assessment and institutional image, teaching methods, teaching staff, course organization and infrastructure facilities, and institutional administration and efficiency significantly impact the student satisfaction. And also, it concludes that the students’ satisfaction significantly impacts students’ loyalty. This study add value to the literature by focusing the students’ satisfaction from two extreme angles (i.e., students’ need and loyalty) and introduces a new model which would enhance the appropriate administration of the Professional Accounting Education Institutions