Recent Submissions
Item type: Item , Assessment of the training of mid-level managers at a privately held limited liability business based in Colombo, Sri Lanka to enhance the efficiency(Journal of Multidisciplinary and Translational Research (JMTR), 2023) Cabral, L. L. I.This study focused on improving the training of assistant managers and senior executives at a privately held limited liability business in Colombo, Sri Lanka. It is a leading software company listed on the London Stock Exchange Group. Despite its reputation, the company’s human resources department has received negative feedback on the job productivity of its mid-level managers. To enhance their productivity, the company must provide adequate training and development opportunities for them. However, currently there is hardly any mechanism to identify how to improve the training for the mid-level managers and to analyze the needs of training (training needs analysis). The absence of such a mechanism has led to inefficiencies that hindered the achievement of organizational goals. The main research question was: "How the training need analysis of assistant managers and senior executives in this business can be improved to increase employee productivity?" Additionally, the study explored the impact of ineffective training needs analysis on management job effectiveness and organizational sustainability. Furthermore, the perception of senior executives and assistant managers regarding current training and development programs was examined. The research objectives were to assess the current efficiency of the ‘training need analysis’ for assistant managers and senior executives at the company and to identify the limitations of the current training process in the organization. Based on the results, this study proposed ways to improve the effectiveness of training and development programs and establish a sound mechanism for ‘training needs analysis’.Item type: Item , The Impact of Advertising Appeal on Customer Purchase Intention Towards Food Supplement Products in Sri Lanka(Journal of Multidisciplinary and Translational Research (JMTR), 2023) Rajapaksha, R. K. A. D. A.; Wanninayake, W. M. C. B.Advertising has become one of the determinant activities in the competitive environment for commercial products, including food supplement products. It is a key activity that enhances the demand for a product of commercial value among consumers. The present study examined the impact of the appeal that advertising carries on the buying intention of consumers who buy food supplement products in the Sri Lankan market. Three independent variables and one moderating variable were considered in the study. Rational appeal, emotional appeal, and moral appeal were considered as the independent variables, while age was taken as the moderating variable. Customer purchase intention was considered as the dependent variable. The mixed research method was adapted as the research method and both qualitative and quantitative data were collected. Pearson correlation analysis and multiple regression analysis were employed for quantitative analysis. The thematic analysis was used in addressing the qualitative objective of the study. The data was collected, using a structured questionnaire with a five-point Likert scale, from 188 existing and potential customers of food supplement products in Sri Lanka. Emotional appeal, rational appeal, and moral appeal carried in advertising were found to be positively related to the customer purchase intention of food supplement products in Sri Lanka.Item type: Item , The Efficiency of Video Feedback as a Method for Teachers to Give Feedback During the Development of Writing Skills of the Learners Who Use English as a Second Language (ESL). Sector(Journal of Multidisciplinary and Translational Research (JMTR), 2023) Thennakoon, B. N.Feedback given by teachers to students is one of the most productive ways of improving the performance of learners, including the learners who use English as a Second Language (ESL).However, there has been a continuing dispute over the efficiency of different feedback methods.Even though the written form of feedback is the most frequently used method of feedback used by teachers, studies have found that it has several disadvantages. This study investigated the efficiency of video feedback as a teacher feedback method during the development of paragraph writing skills of ESL learners. The study explored whether students who received video feedback reported a higher level of accuracy/ correctness in their written work when compared to those who received written feedback. It also investigated ESL learners’ perceptions towards video feedback and whether video feedback could be used as an alternative to written feedback. The sample comprised 20 undergraduates enrolled in the Industrial Management degree program at the University of Kelaniya. Over a five-week period, a test group was provided with video feedback while a control group was provided with written feedback. In addition to a comparative analysis of the accuracy of paragraph writing, a questionnaire was given to the test group at the end of the study to study their perception on video feedback. The quantitative and qualitative data collected were analyzed using SPSS statistics and thematic analysis, respectively. The findings revealed that video feedback facilitated a higher level of accuracy in the paragraphs written by those who received video feedback from teachers. The study verified that video feedback is a method preferred by and convenient for learners. It helped them to interact easily with teachers and to revise the paragraphs they were writing. The findings showed that video feedback could be used as an alternative to written form of feedback.Item type: Item , Lipolytic microorganisms and their wide range of microbial extracellular lipases: Diverse biotechnological applications(The Journal of Desk Research Review and Analysis, 2025) Dias, P. P. C. M.; Gunasinghe, Y. H. K. I. S.; Rathnayake, I. V. N.Lipases are economically important, effective biocatalysts widely used in various industries. These enzymes can catalyse the hydrolysis of esters formed from glycerol and long-chain fatty acids. Lipases can be extracted from plant and animal sources, even though they can be synthesised via chemical processes. Currently, microbial enzymes are being used for industrial purposes. There are 150 industrial enzymes with hydrolytic action, including lipase, which is the third largest group of industrial enzymes. Microbial lipases are utilised as biocatalysts in various biotechnological applications due to their stability in organic solvents, broad substrate specificity without a cofactor, and higher enantioselectivity. Microbial lipases are more crucial in biotechnological applications due to their ease of production and environmentally sustainable production ability. Among them, extracellular microbial lipases play a crucial role in the enzyme production industry because of their ease of production and purification. The ability of microorganisms to adapt to extreme environmental conditions has been advantageous in industrial microbiology. The organisms in those environments utilise various substances as their primary energy source, so they possess specific enzymes that break down these energy sources. To utilise microbial lipases in industry, they must withstand harsh environments. The current review provides key information about the diversity of lipolytic microorganisms. These various microbial sources can be utilised to produce lipases, including different types of microbial lipases, their classification, general structure, catalytic activity, and their wide range of biotechnological applications. In addition to the enzyme, this review discusses lipolytic microorganisms, which can be applied to wastewater treatment.Item type: Item , Advances in polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) production by halophilic microorganisms: phylogeny, biosynthesis, and biotechnology for sustainable applications: A review(Journal of Science of the University of Kelaniya, 2025) Vithana, K. V. D. K. R.; Rathnayake, I. V. N.Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are biodegradable polymers produced by various microorganisms as intracellular storage compounds. Among other PHA-producing microorganisms, halophiles are considered a promising PHA producer due to their unique metabolic capabilities and adaptability to extreme conditions. Halophiles are also a promising approach to sustainable and cost-effective PHA production, which uses low-cost substrates and simplified bioprocessing conditions. This review explores the phylogenetic diversity of halophiles, the biotechnological advancement in their cultivation, the factors that influence PHA production, and the methods used to detect, extract, and characterize PHAs from halophiles, highlighting opportunities in optimizing PHA production. By studying these aspects, this review focuses on providing a comprehensive understanding of the potential of halophiles in bio-plastic production and their role in reducing plastic waste pollution.