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
17 results
Search Results
Publication Open Access FreshSight: An Accessibility-Focused Approach to Produce Freshness and Shelf- Life Detection for Food Safety and Waste Reduction(Faculty of Engineering, 2025-09-09) Fernando,W.P. R.; Kirupananda, A.Colour-blind individuals encounter daily challenges, particularly in distinguishing colour-based indicators of food spoilage. This limitation significantly impacts their ability to assess the freshness and safety of fruits and vegetables accurately. Concurrently, global concerns regarding food spoilage have intensified, with millions worldwide affected by foodborne illnesses each year. The modern lifestyle, characterized by its rapid pace and time constraints, exacerbates this issue, often leading to unnoticed spoilage and substantial waste. The resulting annual waste, estimated at one-third of all edible food, imposes significant societal and environmental burdens, underscoring the urgency for effective solutions. FreshSight enables users, including those with colour vision deficiencies, to assess the condition of fruits and vegetables through a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN)- based real-time image analysis engine and an intuitive interface. This system provides immediate visual feedback to help users make informed decisions and avoid the consumption of spoiled produce. It also offers inclusive design features that support individuals with visual impairments. Beyond individual benefits, FreshSight promotes responsible food handling and contributes to the broader goal of sustainable food systems. By combining advanced technology with user-centered design, the solution enhances both safety and accessibility in everyday food-related decisions. In addressing the critical challenges of food safety, inclusivity, and waste reduction, FreshSight aims to support healthier lifestyles and contribute positively to environmental and societal well-being in the modern world.Item Open Access THE APPLICABILITY OF CARBON EMISSION ESTIMATION WITH BIM ENVIRONMENT: SRI LANKAN CONTEXT(Ceylon Institute of Builders, 2025) Perera D.A.M.V; Allis C; Perera B.K.C; Lokuge AThe global construction industry is increasingly adopting sustainable practices and advanced technologies to enhance efficiency and reduce environmental impacts. Within this context, managing carbon emissions has emerged as a critical component of sustainable development, with Building Information Modelling (BIM) serving as a pivotal tool in this pursuit. While developed countries have already integrated BIM and carbon emission estimates, there is a notable opportunity for similar advancements in developing countries, potentially leading to significant progress within the industry. Hence, this paper aims to explore the applicability of implementing BIM for carbon emission estimations in the Sri Lankan construction industry. A comprehensive review of existing literature identified the importance of carbon emission simulations, BIM implementation strategies and estimation procedures in other countries. Further, this research involved a survey to assess the familiarity and experience levels of construction professionals with BIM tools for carbon emission estimations in Sri Lanka. Findings from the research point to Autodesk Insight as the primary software tool used within the industry. While the industry demonstrates an awareness of these processes, its progress is hampered by a lack of experience in using these technologies for carbon emission estimation scenarios and the absence of crucial databases such as Environmental Product Declarations. The study recommends enhancing industry capacity through targeted training and the adoption of advanced tools. It also encourages further research to assess the compatibility of BIM technologies in the local context, aiming to bridge the gap and drive sustainable transformation in Sri Lanka’s construction sector.Publication Embargo Review of Existing Literature on the Impact of Green Supply Chain Management Practices on Organisational Performance(University of Nigeria Department of Mass Communication, 2026-01) de Zoysa, A.T; Ranathunga Arachchi, D.T; Gunasekara, D.C; Bandara, H.N; Refaie, C.S.R.B; Lokeshwara, A.ABackground: Green supply chain management (GSCM) has gained prominence as more organisations seek to strike a balance between the objectives of sustainable operations and financial performance. The importance of understanding the implications of GSCM practices for organisational outcomes is increasing, given mounting environmental pressures and the need to compete globally. Objective: This research assesses the impact of GSCM practices on the organisation's economic, environmental, social, and operational performance, and identifies key themes, theoretical considerations, and gaps in the literature. Methodology: The systematic literature review method was employed. Overall, 60 peer-reviewed articles published in the last 12 years (2013-2025) were retrieved from major academic databases, including Emerald Insight, ScienceDirect, IEEE Xplore, and Wiley. Strict cleaning and screening were based on Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). The thematic synthesis was used as one of the data analysis techniques, with the emphasis on sampling characteristics and conceptual frameworks, methodological designs and reported outcomes. Consistency of the reviewed research, as well as the validity and reliability of the studies, were taken into consideration to ensure the trustworthiness of the findings. Results: As indicated in the review, GSCM practices are effective in enhancing operational efficiency, environmental performance, social responsibility, and economic performance. Firm size, organisational capabilities, institutional pressures, and supply chain integration are among the factors that moderate the effectiveness of GSCM practices. Conclusion: GSCM has continued to be a strategic force towards sustainable and organisational performance. Results attest to their important role in improving financial performance and environmental regulation. Unique Contribution: The research integrates emerging knowledge to provide a universal model of the complex nature of GSCM effects. It offers theoretical clarity, reveals emerging themes and creates gaps that will be filled by future research. Key Recommendation: Future research should involve cross-industry comparative experiences, sophisticated modelling, and an examination of the impact of digital technologies on the efficacy of GSCM.Publication Embargo Exploring Food Waste Management Practices: Insights from a Coastal Hotel in Sri Lanka(University of Nigeria Department of Mass Communication, 2025-01) Panapitiya, C; Dias, A; Aluthge, K; Ahamed, A; Weligodapola, M; Rathnayake, NBackground: Food waste is immense, accounting for over one-third of worldwide food production for human consumption, totalling 1.3 billion tons annually. Additionally, Sri Lanka's estimated daily food waste is 4000 tons, with the hotel and hospitality sector responsible for a notable percentage. Therefore, it is essential to understand how this amount of waste is generated and what strategies are being employed to manage it. Objective: The research intends to identify the causes of food waste and understand the main waste generation points and food waste mitigation techniques employed within the hotel. Methodology: This exploratory study employs a qualitative approach to examine food waste management practices at a coastal hotel in Sri Lanka’s western province. Researchers used purposive sampling, semi-structured interviews with four key informants, and participant and non-participant observations. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. Results: The findings demonstrate that the hotel implements various food waste management techniques, including operational, quality, and standards elements. These techniques vary from internal initiatives to external measures. Conclusion: Effective practices can reduce the waste generated throughout the hotel's food supply chain. This will ultimately result in better economic, environmental, and societal outcomes. Unique Contribution: This research provides useful insights and lays the groundwork for future research by addressing this timely issue prevailing within both the local and global hotel industry. These findings can be applied to other settings, such as households, retail, and emerging hotels and resorts.Publication Embargo Uniaxial compressive response of cement mortar with waste aluminium fibre sourced from electrical distribution cables(Springer Science and Business Media, 2025-01) Perera K.D.Y.G.; Ahamed Y.L.F; Somarathna H.M.C.C; Jayasekara D.A.B.P.M; Mohotti D; Raman S.NElectrical distribution and communication cables cease to function for transmission when their length is insufficient, and it is considered as it approaches the end of their useful lives. Further, the disposal techniques are not eco-friendly. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of cement mortar systems with the inclusion of aluminium fibre extracted from electrical distribution cables. Two diameters of 1.35 mm and 1.70 mm and two lengths of 10 mm and 15 mm fibres were used while incorporating four volume ratios, particularly 0.5%, 1.0%, 1.5%, and 2.0% to evaluate the effect of the length, diameter and volume ratios. The compression test and density test were performed to study the behaviour of Metal Fibre Reinforced Mortar (MFRM) systems under both dry and wet states. Compared to conventional mortar, the ultimate compressive strength of MFRM systems was increased up to 39.4% in 1.5% of fibre addition under the 28-day dry state, where the 1.5% volume ratio showed the best performance under compressive loads. Strain at ultimate strength, modulus of elasticity and strain energy also showed improvements with the fibre inclusion up to 74.4%, 87.3%, and 106.6% respectively. Fibres with higher aspect ratios showed significant effectiveness among the aforementioned fibre variations. The overall results highlighted that the MFRM with 1.5% of fibres performed expertly with 15 mm length and 1.35 mm diameter under compression loadsPublication Open Access The Green Pulse of Hospitality: Assessing Green Supply Chain Practices on Organisational Performance in the Sri Lankan Hotel Industry(Elsevier B.V., 2026-01-03) Bandara R.M.H.N; Ranathunga Arachchi R.A.D.T; Gunasekara L.D.C; De Zoysa N.A.T; Lokeshwara, Anuja A.; Refaie, Chapa S.R.B.In the modern competitive business environment, sustainability has become the key theme in organisational performance (OP), compelling organisations to adopt environmentally friendly operations in the business world. The hotel industry is a significant contributor to national economies, and it is steadily incorporating green practices to improve operational efficiency and reduce environmental impact. Though green supply chain management (GSCM) has been a subject of significant interest in manufacturing and logistic settings, GSCM in the hospitality industry, particularly in developing nations such as Sri Lanka, is still a largely unexplored area. To bridge this gap, the current study investigates the relationship between GSCM practices and OP with a particular focus on the moderating effects of hotel star classification. A cross-sectional, deductive research design was used, and Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) was the method of analysis. A web-based survey of 167 star-class hotels in Sri Lanka gained a high response rate of 88.44%. GSCM practices were represented as a second-order construct with five dimensions: eco design, green purchasing, internal environment management, investment recovery, and reverse logistics. The findings reveal that GSCM practices have a significant positive impact on OP. However, the star ratings of the hotels had no significant effect on this relationship, meaning the positive impact of GSCM practices are consistent across the industry. This finding indicates the need to investigate additional moderating variables such as ownership patterns and environmental certifications. Future comparative studies in various Asian nations with different cultural, legislative, and market settings may advance our understanding of GSCM practices in hospitality industry.Publication Open Access Exploring Sustainability-Driven Fintech Usage Intentions Among Gen Z in Sri Lanka(SLIIT City UNI, 2025-07-08) Vallaven, LWith growing global environmental awareness, Generation Z (Gen Z) has emerged as a key demographic driving demand for sustainable, technologyenabled solutions. This concept paper, developed from an undergraduate research proposal, explores sustainabilitydriven intentions to use financial technology (FinTech) services among Gen Z in Sri Lanka. Drawing on the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), the study aims to examines and offer new insights on how attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control (PBC), and environmental concerns influence sustainability-driven Fintech usage intentions among Gen Z’s in Sri Lanka. A mono-method quantitative design is proposed, with data to be collected from Gen Z individuals in Sri Lanka using purposive and snowball sampling. The data will be collected via an online questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics.Publication Open Access Impact of Green Supply Chain Practices on Sustainability in Sri Lankan Tea Export Sector: A Systematic Literature Review(ICSDB 2024 and SLIIT Business School, 2024-12-10) Medani, K.; Karunathilaka, N.; Thathsarani, H.; Liyanage, P.; Karunarathna, N.; Aluthwala, C.GSCM is one of the most crucial strategies that incorporate sustainability into operational and production practices. Based on this premise, the given systematic literature review examines how the key GSCM practices influence sustainability in Sri Lanka's tea export sector. This review identifies synthesized findings from various studies that the adoption of GSCM has led to a significant improvement in economic sustainability through a reduction in operational costs of up to 20%-and enhancing the ability of market competitiveness. In this regard, environmental concerns contribute by reducing resource consumption by up to 30% as waste is generated, promoting sustainable production processes. Socially, GSCM advances good labor practices and strengthens community involvement in the pursuit of better working conditions, improving relationships between the producers and local communities. With all these advantages, however, GSCM in the Sri Lankan tea export sector faces fluctuating global market prices, effects of climate change, and persistent labor shortages. These challenges are indicative that strategic interventions of the government to support and collaborate in the industry do become urgent to enhance sustainability. This review also points out one important limitation in relying on secondary sources of data and emphasizes that there is a dire need for empirical research to enhance the evidence base to provide actionable insights for policymakers and stakeholders. In sum, this literature review underlined that GSCM played a vital role in the advancement of sustainability within the tea export sector and in providing a competing position of the industry in a global market for long-term viability in sustainabilityPublication Open Access Investigation of the Carbon Offsetting Targets Towards Sustainability: A Focus on 3PL Companies(ICSDB 2024 and SLIIT Business School, 2024-12-10) Erandika, T.; Pallawala, T.; Wijesinghe, A.; Perera, D.; Karunarathna, N.; Kalansuriya, N.This study examines the carbon emission reduction goals of third-party logistics (3PL) firms for sustainable activities, assessing their effectiveness and impact on sustainability. It explores the goals and methods used by these companies, their implementation challenges, and the potential effects on sustainability outcomes like reduced emissions, improved operational efficiency, and increased stakeholder participation. This aims to understand how 3PL companies reduce their carbon footprints and identify opportunities. This study examines the leading 3PL providers in the global content market using a comprehensive analysis of literature articles. The effect of carbon footprints on efficiency in third-party logistics companies is examined in the present research. With an emphasis on carbon mitigation, the effects of carbon footprints on organisations, and the tactics 3PL entities employ to lower their carbon footprints, it included 76 research publications during 2019–2024. The study examines supply chain management, sustainability, and emission reduction using the theories of carbon management, stakeholders, and the environment. The outcomes demonstrate how well the retention of carbon techniques works to raise industrial sustainability standards. This study evaluates the interest and difficulties experienced by 3PL companies by comparing the results with those of other countries. Consequently, the goal of the research is to raise the general understanding of environmental issues and accomplish long-term sustainability objectives in the transportation industry, as a finding of this research, Direct, indirect, and fugitive carbon footprints have considerable impacts on the environment and economy. Compared to individuals, businesses are more responsible for global warming, which damages infrastructure, disrupts supply chains, and lowers productivity. 3PL companies can employ carbon mitigation strategies, such as waste reduction, renewable energy investments, and environmentally friendly transportation while interacting with stakeholders and governments to minimise the negative environmental effects. Likewise,20% of the world's greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions come from the transportation sector, which includes 3PL companies.Publication Embargo Enriching Resilience in Smart Manufacturing: Critical Analysis of Industry 4.0 Technologies on Sustainable Production Process(SLIIT, Faculty of Engineering, 2024-10) Karunarathne, P L D N; Gamage, H C T; Kawya, M V TIntegration of Industry 4.0 technologies in smart manufacturing in the context of sustainable production processes has opened new paths to enrich resilience. This research aims at how Industry 4.0 technologies can be applied to smart manufacturing which is empowered by sustainable production processes in order to achieve maximum resilience. Through a broad literature review, key theories, concepts, and practical and theoretical studies related to smart manufacturing, resilience, and sustainability of production processes are examined. And the theme itself drives to establish a couple of research questions in order to find solutions and derive research inventions as to how Industry 4.0 technologies can enrich resilience in manufacturing and what sustainability implications arise from their adoption. And data gathering is been done using a simple questionnaire and analyzed using an extensive as well as a comparative method after considering how production processes have been changed before and after applying Industry 4.0 technologies. Overall, Industry 4.0 not only creates a more efficient and higher quality production process, but it also enables the things like predictive and preventive maintenance and upgrades, which results in lower downtime and less capital expenditure over time.