Industrial Management

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Adoption of Industry 4.0 and lean concepts in hospitals for healthcare operational performance improvement.
(International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management, 2021) Ilangakoon, T. S.; Weerabahu, S. K.; Samaranayake, P.; Wickramarachchi, R.
Purpose – This paper proposes the adoption of Industry 4.0 (I4) technologies and lean techniques for improving operational performance in the healthcare sector. Design/methodology/approach – The research adopted a systematic literature review and feedback of healthcare professionals to identify the inefficiencies in the current healthcare system. A questionnaire was used to get feedback from the patients and the hospital staff about the current practices and issues, and the expected impact of technology on existing practices. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, correlation analysis and multiple regression analysis. Findings – The results indicate that I4 technologies lead to the improvement of the operational performance, and the perceptions about I4 technologies are made through the pre-medical diagnosis. However, a weak correlation between lean practices and healthcare operational performance compared to that of I4 technologies and operational performance indicate that lean practices are not fully implemented in the Sri Lankan healthcare sector to their full potential. Research limitations/implications – This study is limited to two government hospitals, with insights from only the doctors and nurses in Sri Lanka. Furthermore, the study is limited to only selected aspects of I4 technologies (big data, cloud computing and IoT) and lean concepts (value stream mapping and 5S). Therefore, recommendations on the adoption of I4 technologies in the healthcare sector need to be made within the scope of the study investigation. Practical implications – The implementation of I4 technologies needs careful consideration of process improvement as part of the overall plan for achieving the maximum benefits of technology adoption. Originality/value – The findings of the research can be used as a benchmark/guide for other hospitals to explore the adoption of I4 technologies, and how process improvement from lean concepts could influence the overall operational performance.
Analysing the risk in the supply chain of apparel industry during an epidemic outbreak
(IEOM Society International, 2021) Perera, Sanduni; Wijayanayake, Annista; Peter, Suren
Companies try to continue in business but struggle because of disruptions they face in the supply chain (SC)' In this research, it is explored the SC risks faced by th-e-apparel industry during an epidemic-outbreak' It aims to investigate what type of risks are associated during an epidemif^outbreak and ho* iihas affected the SC' Further, it is investigated which risks should be prioritized, hoi to develop a suitable model to identiff the SC risks and vulnerabilities' The data is collected from literature, interviews and surveys from leading personnel in the Sri Lankan apparel industry' It is then mapped in a vulnerability matrix, tested and vatidated. In this siudy, it is identified !!at lhe loss of international key supplieis and order canceliations are the riskiest. A generalized vulnerability model is developed in this study consiaeiing cost and time factors, however, it can be cusi=omized using different factors-and.risks depending on the experienceland needs of the company. The study can be further developed to identify the SC risk mitigation strategies that should be taken to mitigate the SC disruptions during an epidemic outbreak.
Analyzing the Impact of Student Engagement on Learning Outcomes in E-learning Platforms: Case on Programming Language Courses
(Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), 2024) Lakshani, Erandika; Wijayanayake, Janaka; Prasadika, Jinendri
This study explores how students engage with e-learning platforms and how it relates to their academic success, focusing on programming language learning among Information Technology (IT) undergraduates in Sri Lanka. This study employs the Community of Inquiry (CoI) framework in conjunction with the evaluation of academic pressure to measure student engagement. The research aims to understand the impact of cognitive presence, social presence, and teaching presence on learning outcomes in e-learning, while also examining how infrastructure plays a moderating role. The data were gathered through a structured questionnaire, and the gathered data were analyzed using SmartPLS 4 software. The findings highlight that cognitive presence, social presence, and teaching presence significantly predict better learning outcomes, emphasizing their crucial role in the effectiveness of e-learning in programming language courses. The study doesn't find a strong connection between the academic pressure felt by undergraduates and the learning outcomes. This suggests that success in e-learning is influenced by various factors beyond traditional academic pressures. Additionally, we investigate the moderating effect of infrastructure on these relationships. Unexpectedly, the study reveals that infrastructure doesn't significantly change the connections between cognitive presence, social presence, and teaching presence on learning outcomes. In simpler terms, the technical support provided doesn't seem to alter how these elements impact student success in this context. This study offers valuable insights into the intricate dynamics of student engagement, academic pressure, and infrastructure within the realm of e-learning. These findings hold significance for educators, policymakers, and researchers in the field of education, providing actionable knowledge to enhance support for students navigating e-learning environments.
Android Source Code Vulnerability Detection: A Systematic Literature Review
(ACM Computing Surveys, 2022) Senanayake, J.; Kalutarage, H. K.; Al-Kadri, M. O.; Petrovski, A.; Piras, L.
The use of mobile devices is rising daily in this technological era. A continuous and increasing number of mobile applications are constantly offered on mobile marketplaces to fulfil the needs of smartphone users. Many Android applications do not address the security aspects appropriately. This is often due to a lack of automated mechanisms to identify, test, and fix source code vulnerabilities at the early stages of design and development. Therefore, the need to fix such issues at the initial stages rather than providing updates and patches to the published applications is widely recognized. Researchers have proposed several methods to improve the security of applications by detecting source code vulnerabilities and malicious codes. This Systematic Literature Review (SLR) focuses on Android application analysis and source code vulnerability detection methods and tools by critically evaluating 118 carefully selected technical studies published between 2016 and 2022. It highlights the advantages, disadvantages, applicability of the proposed techniques, and potential improvements of those studies. Both Machine Learning (ML)-based methods and conventional methods related to vulnerability detection are discussed while focusing more on ML-based methods, since many recent studies conducted experiments with ML. Therefore, this article aims to enable researchers to acquire in-depth knowledge in secure mobile application development while minimizing the vulnerabilities by applying ML methods. Furthermore, researchers can use the discussions and findings of this SLR to identify potential future research and development directions.
Antecedents Of Driving Customer Purchase Intention Via AI Based Customer Engagement Strategies In The Post Pandemic Era
(Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), 2024) Hensman, Sheramy; Jayasinghe, Shan; Fernando, Ishenka
This study explores the antecedents that affect customer purchase intention in the post-pandemic era, specifically through AI (Artificial Intelligence) based customer engagement strategies. By analyzing a sample size of at least 147 social media users in Sri Lanka and examining demographic profiles such as age, gender, occupation, and average monthly income, this research addresses a gap in the literature by investigating the positive impact of AI on conversion rate optimization. The study focuses on the factors of brand credibility, customer satisfaction, price sensitivity, brand attitude, and social influence, and their impact on consumer purchase intention in the context of AI-based customer engagement. This research rejects some hypotheses related to brand credibility, price sensitivity, and social influence, and accepts others related to customer satisfaction and brand attitude. It highlights the importance of customer satisfaction and brand attitude in driving consumer purchase intention in the context of AI-based customer engagement. The findings provide valuable insights for businesses and marketers seeking to optimize AI strategies for improved customer engagement and higher conversion rates.
Applicability of Lean and Green Concepts in Logistics 4.0: A Systematic Review of Literature
(IEEE Xplore Digital Library, 2019) Edirisuriya, A.; Weerabahu, S.; Wickramarachchi, R.
Sustainability is emerging as a main consideration throughout the industrial world due to the environmental pollution and degradation happening in a major scale as a result of industrial wastes while lean management is becoming a popular management tool in minimizing waste. Logistics industry contributes for these issues due to the wastes released in a considerable amount. Experts have highlighted that implementing lean principles in parallel to green concepts is more successful; which could lead to waste and cost reduction. A theoretical gap has been identified in the field of logistics in applying lean and green concepts in the context of Industry 4.0. A comprehensive literature review was conducted to address the identified research gap with the objective of examining the important lean practices and green concepts which are expected to enhance the operational performance of logistics functions. A key word based search, analysis of the topic and abstract, full text review were the steps followed respectively, for selecting the most relevant research papers which have been proven as valid, accepted and published to extract the knowledge for this study. As the major contribution, authors have developed a conceptual framework which focuses on the enhancement of operational performance of logistics operations by applying lean and green concepts with special reference to Industry 4.0 technologies. The results of the study will be beneficial for the LSP as it will suggest the strategies, concepts and techniques to enhance the operational performance of logistics functions.
Are ready-made technology transfer solutions suitable for developing the renewable energy sector in Sri Lanka
(2015) Withanaarachchi, A.S.; Nanayakkara, L.D.J.F.; Pushpakumara, C.
Assessment of Human Emotional Responses to AI–Composed Music: A Systematic Literature Review
(Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), 2024) Fernando, Poorna; Mahanama, Thilini V.; Wickramasinghe, Manya
In the world of musical creation, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) represents a significant paradigm shift in emotional engagement. This research investigates the human emotional responses evoked when listening to AI-composed music. Focused on figuring out the emotional impact of AI-composed music, the study explores the complex relationship between human emotional experiences and compositions crafted by AI algorithms. Through a comprehensive literature review, this paper examines existing methodologies, insights, and gaps in understanding the emotional dimensions of AI-composed music. Major findings reveal that while AI software like artificial intelligence virtual artist (AIVA) shows it can help explore emotional authenticity, ongoing doubt and preference for music made by humans highlight the need for more research. Attitudes of both listeners and music professionals toward AI-composed music are characterized by skepticism and negative perceptions, emphasizing the urgency to address reservations and investigate the unique emotional qualities of AI-composed music. Furthermore, the complex nature of music emotion recognition, influenced by factors such as music genre, cultural perspective, and age group, complicates understanding emotional responses to both human-created and AI-composed music. The paper supports the development of analytical methods, particularly through machine learning and deep learning approaches, to enhance understanding of the complexities of emotional responses and improve AI music composition. A human- experience-centered framework is proposed to address subjectivity in assessing emotional responses to music. This research aims to understand the details of emotional responses and find out if AI-composed music can really evoke emotions comparable to human-created compositions.
Business process reengineering in public sector organizations: Systematic literature review of critical success factors
(International Conference on Industrial Engineering and Operations Management, 2021) Amarasinghe, A.A.T.M.; Wickramarachchi, Ruwan
Business Process Reengineering (BPR) focuses on critically analyzing existing business processes in an organization and redesigning enhanced effectiveness and functional efficiencies. Although private sector organizations have widely adopted BPR, it has been observed that public sector organizations are less successful in utilizing this exercise to improve their processes. This paper aims to investigate and identify the critical success factors (CSFs) that impact the implementation of BPR in the public sector and develop a framework to support improving success rates. A critical review of the literature was conducted to identify CSFs and derived fifteen CSFs that influence BPR implementation in the public sector under five dimensions. According to findings, Management commitment, financial resources, organizational structure, Human resources, and IT infrastructure are the main five CSFs in public sector BPR implementation. CSFs of BPR are crucial for an organization to achieve the end goal or mission of the BPR project.
Challenges Affecting the Successful Adoption of DevOps Practices: A Systematic Literature Review
(Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), 2024) Nayanajith, Akalanka; Wickramarachchi, Ruwan
Contemporary business organizations are increasingly turning to IT-related tools, particularly software, to enhance the efficiency of their operational processes. As a result, time to deliver to market and the quality of software product has been a major concern to software development companies. Hence these organizations are willing to implement DevOps practices. DevOps has emerged as a promising approach in software development and operations, aiming to enhance collaboration, automation, and efficiency in delivering high-quality software products. While DevOps practices have gained significant attention globally, the successful adoption of DevOps practices in specific regions, may encounter unique challenges for various reasons. It also has become a critical endeavor for organizations in the developing countries, like Sri Lanka, seeking to enhance their software development and delivery processes. This systematic literature review explores the challenges affecting the successful adoption of DevOps practices by extensively analyzing relevant scholarly articles, conference papers, and industry reports. The identified challenges encompass organizational culture, technical infrastructure, skill gaps, regulatory compliance, and resource constraints. More specifically, the analysis revealed major challenges such as resistance to change, absence of supportive and visionary leadership, outdated legacy systems, high cost of investment, skills gaps, communication gaps between development and operations teams, and a deep-seated company culture.
A combined Approach of Analytic Hierarchy process and Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory Methods for Evaluating Key Success Factors of Third-Party Logistics Service Providers
(IEOM Society International, 2021) Perera, T; Wijayanayake, A; Wickramarachchi, R.
This study aims to evaluate key success factors associated with the third-party logistics (3pL) service providers in Sri !1tru.This study used the systematic literature review and expert's opinlon to"identi$ tt. t.y success factors of third-party logistics industry in Sri Lanka. In total, 20 key rr...r, factors were obtained, and those key success factors were grouped into four categories as organization strategy, management and process, human resources and customer o-rientation' The study used the Q-sort technique to gr*p key-success factors into four categories and Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHf) to identiflz the priorities of thi key ,u"..r, factors. Decision Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) method used to identify the interelationships among the key ,r.r.r, factors in each category' The result shows that business expansion, technology and automation, internationalizationof operations, management and leadership style are the most important key iuccess factors in the Sri Lankan third-party logistics industry' The outcomes ofthis study can help managers/practiiioners to formulate flexible decision strategies for performance better in their third-party logistics firms and experience a competitive advantage against the competitors.
Combining Industry 4.0 with Lean Healthcare to Optimize Operational Performance of Sri Lankan Healthcare Industry
(IEEE Xplore Digital Library, 2018) Ilangakoon, T.; Weerabahu, S.; Wickramarachchi, R.
Healthcare is one of the industries that requires the highest quality services for the wellbeing of the society. Today, the demand for healthcare growing rapidly with increasing aging population, rapid urbanization, changing diets, inactive lifestyles and rising obesity levels. The Industry 4.0 technologies and lean techniques can be used to enhance the operational performance of the healthcare supply chain and the patient flow. This paper examines the factors contributing for the inefficiencies in Sri Lankan Healthcare sector and how the operational performance can be optimized through premedical diagnosis of diseases by incorporating Industry 4.0 technologies and lean techniques. Based on a systematic review of literature and feedback of healthcare professionals, the paper identifies the inefficiencies in the current healthcare system. A conceptual framework has been developed by considering the direct impacts from lean management practices and Industry 4.0 technologies on improving operational performance through pre-medical diagnosis of diseases. Thus, patients can take preventive actions and be more health conscious while the healthcare providers and other related parties can plan their medical services and supporting services for arising health requirements making the healthcare industry much more efficient.
A computer program to find specific protein motifs implemented for CTL epitopes
(Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science, 2005) Senadhera, P.; Wijeratne, G.
Delphi as a methodology for eliciting expert opinion - important factors to be considered
(2015) Withanaarachchi, A.S.; Nanayakkara, L.D.J.F.; Pushpakumara, C.
Design of an auto disconnecting regulator and a safety switch to prevent domestic gas leakages
(IEEE, 2020) Rajapaksha, R. M. I. U.; Perera, P. S. H.; Nandasena, P. K. D. M.; Gunarathna, P. S. T. K.; Gihan Kanishka, P. P. D.; Ranaweera, A. L. A. K.; Kalingamudali, S. R. D.
There is a growing demand for research in various aspects of smart homes. Automated security systems are an integral part of smart homes. Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) is one of the popular fuels used in domestic cooking. Therefore, there is a very high demand for LPG fire security systems. In this study, an automated LPG fire security system for domestic gas leakages has been designed and a prototype model is constructed. The designed system automatically takes preventive measures in case of gas leakage. It includes a newly designed automatically disconnecting regulator from the cylinder which shuts OFF gas supply from commercially available gas cylinders, a control circuit for switching OFF the power supply of nearby area of gas leakage and transceiver unit for sending SMS to the corresponding people. It has been designed to operate automatically when LPG concentration reaches to 200 PPM, a value well below the LPG gas inflammable concentration. LPG concentration is sensed by the MQ-5 gas sensor and fed into the microcontroller. The commercially available gas regulator is modified by attaching a spring and solenoid valve. The spring is compressed when the regulator is ON. Once an LPG leakage of appropriate PPM is detected, a pulse is sent to the solenoid valve such that the attached spring gets rest by removing the regulator from the cylinder. At the same time, a warning message will automatically send to the corresponding users and security personnel through a GSM module attached to the circuit. The circuit is embedded with a rechargeable battery to work even in power outage. Additional gas sensors are installed in electrical switches located near to the gas cylinder and kept in connection with the microcontroller through the Bluetooth module to cutoff electrical power to prevent any spark.
Designing a Data Governance Model to Implement GDPR in Sri Lankan Enterprises
(International Conference on Industrial Engineering and Operations Management, 2021) Ranathunga, P.A.Indhumini; Wickramarachchi, Ruwan
The volume and complexity of data have expanded while demanding the need for specialized data protection solutions for many data-driven enterprises. Personal data is the internet's new oil and the digital world's new currency, has a big impact on privacy and security. Various laws have been implemented in many nations to protect people's personal information. One of them is GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation), which is particularly relevant for EU data processing businesses. Though it does not apply directly to Sri Lanka, it is directly applied to European Union counterparties. To avoid losing business with the EU, Sri Lanka must also comply with GDPR. Although there aren't many resources for GDPR implementation guidance, the existing ones are not very comprehensive. To resolve the issue, we went through a series of processes to construct a comprehensive model, after which we were able to develop a data governance model to deploy. The data governance model provides extensive direction for data management. We established the indicators and drivers that must be observed while applying the GDPR principles through interviews with industry professionals and completing an extensive literature study. A data governance model is provided in this study for data-driven organizations to simply implement compliance.
Determinant of Factors affecting Customer Satisfaction: Case of the Logistics Industry in Sri Lanka
(IEOM Society International, 2021) Egodawela, S. M. D. T. K.; Wijayanayake, A.N.; Peter, P.L.S.
Sri Lanka is a key transshipment hub on the important East-West trade route. In terms of logistics performance, Sri Lanka ranked 94ft out of 167 countries according to the World Bank's Logistics Performance tndicator (LPI) for 2018. If Sri Lanka is to exploit and leverage its positioning to its fullest potential, then it is imperative that the country must improve on its overall positioning in the index, by being competitive, improving on efficiency and being sensitive to customer needs, Improving customer satisfaction is crucial for business sustainability, and importantly act as a deterrent to prevent customer switching. Although previous research has captured the relationship between customer satisfaction and service quality through a combination of the SERVQUAL (Service Quality) or SERVPERF (Service Performance) model, there are other controllable factors that can influence this relationship. The study examines from both a service as well as the performance perspectives and incorporates other controllable factors that influence customer satisfaction. The study is based on the third-party logistics (3PL) industry in Sri Lanka.It considered all the important influencing factors and their relationships with each other in a systematic review process and was supplemented by reviews from industry experts and data inputs from 3PL customers. It was found that customer handling, tech initiation, competitive prices, and flexibility, have a significance impact over the all the dependent variables (Customer Loyalty, Switching Behavior, Customer Complaints). The results could be used by the service providers, to realign their offerings to suit the demands of its customers and help the country become a logistics hub for the region.
Determinants of Employee Engagement in the Post-Pandemic Working-from-Home Contexts: Evidence from the Sri Lankan Software Industry
(Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), 2024) Thasipan, Rajagopal; Jayasinghe, Shan; Prasadika, A. P. K. J.; Wijerathna, Sujith Kasun
This study explores the dynamic landscape of employee engagement within the Sri Lankan Software Industry amid the post-pandemic surge in remote work. Recognizing the unique challenges and opportunities of this transition, the study highlights the necessity for a comprehensive comprehension of the factors that impact engagement when conventional workplace structures are not present. Framed within the context of the evolving work-from-home scenario, the study addresses the industry-specific gap in knowledge, contributing both theoretically and practically. Leveraging a comprehensive literature review and insights from industry professionals, the research identifies factors crucial to employee engagement, including employee well-being, small-group collaboration, job safety and security, job satisfaction, social interaction, and the supervisor's role. The hypotheses formulated and tested through a survey of 196 technical employees reveal significant associations between these factors and employee engagement. Notably, employee well-being emerges as a key contributor, with holistic well-being programs deemed essential in remote work settings. The study further explores the mediating role of small-group collaboration and the moderating impact of the supervisor's role, shedding light on the intricate relationships that shape engagement. While emphasizing the positive impact of transparent communication on job safety and security, the research underscores the importance of proactively addressing challenges to boost overall job satisfaction. The findings offer valuable insights for organizations navigating the complexities of remote work, emphasizing the multifaceted strategies required to enhance organizational performance in the evolving work landscape.
Developing a Multi Criteria Decision Making Framework to Select the Most Suitable Production Line in Apparel Firms: Use of ANP Method
(IEOM Society International, 2021) Thalagahage, N.T.H; Wijayanayake, A.W.; Niwunhella, D.H.H.
The apparel industry is considered as one of the most labor-intensive industries where production planning and Control (PPC) is considered as an impoftant function, because of its involvement from scheduling each task i-n the process till the delivery of customer demand. Line planning is a sub process within PPC, through which the production orders are allocated to production lines according to its setting and due dates ofproduction completion. The decisions that address line planning function still heavily rely on the expertise of the ploduction planner. When production planners are required to select production lines for the production ofa particuiar type ofpioduct, little emphasis has been placed on ways to apportion ceftain production orders to the most appropriate pioduction system. In thii research, a framework is developed using Analyical Network Process (ANP) which is a Multi Critlria Decision Making (MCDM) method, enabling the incorporation of all the planning criteria in the selection of a production line. The weighted scores obtained by the best alternative production lines are used in a Linear Programming model to optimize the resource allocation in an apparel firm.
Drivers Enabling Developing Countries to Enter High-Tech Production Networks through Global Production Sharing: Evidence from Malaysia, Taiwan, and Vietnam
(Sustainability, 2023) Jayasinghe, S.; Johnson, L. W.; Udayanga, N.; Kumarapperuma, L.; Ranjitha, S.
Since the 1960s, the world has witnessed the rise of several East Asian nations as economic powerhouses. One of the main contributing factors of their success is their decision to create policies that allowed them to enter high-tech global production networks. Today, other countries are attempting to do the same by replicating the success of these East Asian nations, but they have had considerably less success. Thus, a study that investigates the drivers of developing countries entering global production networks would be of great use to policymakers in other countries. Hence, with the support of evidence from Vietnam, Malaysia, and Taiwan, this study proposes policy options (government support, science parks, tax, and other incentives, high- and semi-skilled labor, infrastructure development roadmaps, and free trade agreements) that are necessary to initiate and drive the entrance of a developing country into high-tech global production networks. Government support was identified as the main driver that determines the outcome of an effort to enter. Infrastructure development roadmap and free trade agreements were identified as optional. However, it is recommended that governments consider the two optional factors during policy formation, as they could complement the other factors.