Recent Submissions
Item type: Item , Barriers for the AI Adoption in Maritime Logistic Sector in Sri Lanka(Department of Industrial Management, Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka., 2025) Ranasinghe, T.; Kavirathna, C.The seamless integration of new technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), into maritime logistics operations presents significant opportunities for optimizing efficiency and competitiveness in Sri Lanka's maritime logistics sector. This study assesses the impact of critical barriers to AI adoption across four key categories: technological, organizational, financial, and industrial barriers. Using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) and a structured questionnaire survey with 133 industry experts, the research identifies the most significant barriers, such as limited data-driven decision-making (technological), lack of coordination and support from upper management (organizational), and high implementation costs (financial). Among these, technological barriers were found to have the highest impact on adoption, followed by organizational barriers. Conversely, industrial barriers, such as lack of regulation and privacy concerns, were less significant in the Sri Lankan context. The findings provide actionable recommendations, including prioritizing investment in digital infrastructure, fostering workforce development through targeted training programs, and enacting regulatory reforms to mitigate barriers. This research contributes to theoretical and practical understandings of AI integration in maritime logistics, offering a pathway for Sri Lanka to enhance operational efficiency and compete effectively in the global trade ecosystem.Item type: Item , Barriers to Digital Transformation in Sri Lanka's Maritime Industry(2025) Aththanayaka, K. M. H. N.; Kavirathna, C.This research investigates the digitalization of Sri Lanka's maritime industry, focusing on identifying barriers, analyzing relationships, and evaluating digital transformation potential within import, export, and freight-forwarding operations. Using a systematic review, the study identifies key barriers to digitalization, including organizational and management-related, operational, resource-related, market-related, and technological barriers. A survey was conducted, and 148 responses were collected for this research. Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) analysis is employed to explore the relationships between these barriers and the levels of digitalization. The results reveal that all types of barriers significantly impact the level of digitalization in Sri Lanka's maritime industry, with organizational and management-related barriers having the highest impact. Additionally, ordinal data analysis is conducted to assess the gap between the current and potential levels of digitalization. The study highlights significant gaps in import, export, and freight-forwarding processes. The findings provide actionable insights and a comprehensive framework to guide stakeholders in overcoming barriers, enhancing digital adoption, improving operational efficiency, and achieving a competitive advantage in the maritime sector.Item type: Item , Voice from the Control Room : Government Officials’ Perspectives on How Politics, Funding and Technology Shape Sri Lanka’s Transport Future(Department of Industrial Management, Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka., 2025) Bandara, S.; Perera, Y.; Premathilaka, H.; Wijethunga, J.; Karunarathna, N.; Dayapathirana, N.The daily struggles of Sri Lanka's public transportation system affect millions of lives, yet the voices of those who run it often go unheard. This study spoke with eight senior government officials from the National Transport Commission and Ceylon Government Railways to uncover what happens behind the scenes. Through detailed interviews, three main problems weighing on their minds were identified: political interference disrupts their work, money shortages block necessary improvements, and finally, worker satisfaction has hit rock bottom. Many transport workers feel stuck with low wages and unclear career paths, which makes it hard to keep services running smoothly. However, it is not all about bad news. These officials shared smart ideas about fixing issues, from better resource management to innovative technology implementation that could help riders track their buses and trains. They believe Sri Lanka's public transport can improve with the right changes. This research study goes beyond just listing problems - we talked to people who live these challenges every day and know what needs to change. Their stories show that improving public transport is not just about new buses or trains; it is about supporting the people who keep everything moving, listening to what riders need, and Equipping transport workers with the required equipment to perform their jobs well.Item type: Item , Integrating MILP and MCDM for Smart Warehouse Location Selection in Agricultural E-Commerce(Department of Industrial Management, Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka., 2025) Sholeh, M. B.; Rochim, A. F.; Nugraheni, D. M. K.Optimizing warehouse locations is critical for reducing logistics costs, improving delivery reliability, and enhancing sustainability in agricultural e-commerce. This study applies Mixed-Integer Linear Programming (MILP) to filter optimal warehouse alternatives, followed by MARCOS for ranking. The findings indicate that MILP significantly impacts the selection process, with G7, G1, and G6 emerging as the top choices. Sensitivity analysis and comparisons with other MCDM methods confirm the robustness of the results. This research offers practical insights for improving supply chain efficiency and contributes to decision-making models for warehouse location optimization.Item type: Item , NextStep: A Smart System-Based Career Guidance Application for Students in the Computing Field Based on the RIASEC Model(Department of Industrial Management, Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka., 2025) Geethanjana, H. K.; Sirisuriya, M.; Abesinghe, D. V. D. S.This paper presents the development of a Smart System based career guidance application specifically designed for students in the computing field. With the increasing complexity of technology-related careers, students often require personalized guidance to choose a career path that aligns with their skills and preferences. This application integrates an expert system and skill assessment tests to offer tailored career recommendations and resources to guide the students in specific career paths. The expert system is based on the RIASEC model, a standardized career classification framework and enhanced by industry insights which evaluates a student's responses to provide a best-fit career path, while the skill assessment further categorizes the user's proficiency level in their chosen field. The application is built with a Drools-based expert system that aligns user characteristics with relevant career paths. Evaluation through user surveys and expert feedback has shown a promising user satisfaction rate of 85% and approximately 90% accuracy in providing desired career recommendations, demonstrating the application's effectiveness in enhancing student engagement and career readiness. This research project fills a critical gap in personalized career counseling, offering students a data-driven, interactive tool for informed career decision-making.