Volume 18 - Issue 1 - 2023

Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://repository.kln.ac.lk/handle/123456789/29553

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Impact of COVID-19 on Employee Well-being in Apparel Industry in Sri Lanka
(Department of Human Resource Management, Faculty of Commerce and Management Studies, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka., 2023) Lakmali, M. G. T.; Sandeepani, D. M. M.
Sri Lanka is one of the most vulnerable developing countries suffering from the emergence of novel COVID-19 pandemic. Along these lines, the Sri Lankan apparel sector was mainly impacted. Examining the impact of epidemics on the well-being of employees who work in the Sri Lankan apparel industry is a notable research direction as per the empirical evidence. Thus, the present study aimed to examine the attributes of perceived pandemic concerns in terms of physical, psychological, financial, and concerns regarding social gaze while investigating the well-being of employees working in the apparel sector during COVID-19. A total of 100 apparel sector employees from 10 different companies in Sri Lanka was selected as respondents using simple random sampling technique. A Google-form based questionnaire was developed for the data collection. Data analysis was conducted applying structural equation modelling using SMART PLS software. The results revealed that employees’ physical, psychological, financial, and concerns regarding social gaze, have a significant influence on their work stress during COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, work stress during pandemic significantly influences employee well-being in the Sri Lankan apparel industry. Moreover, significant indirect influences were identified between physical, psychological, and financial concerns and employee well-being via work stress. The present study provides valuable insights to the human resource officials attached to the apparel industry to mitigate possible work stress of employees to ensure higher employee well-being during pandemic situations.
Glass Ceiling and Women’s Career Development: Evidence from Sri Lankan Logistics Field
(Department of Human Resource Management, Faculty of Commerce and Management Studies, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka., 2023) Gunawardane, H. K. M.; Marasinghe, M. A. P. N.; Illukkumbure, S. P. N. V.; Ayeshmantha, W. U.; De Mel, W. D. H.
Women are entering the labor force in greater numbers than ever before, however women in top leadership positions remain scarce. Scholars have coined the term "glass ceiling" to describe this troubling condition, where women face invisible obstacles while attempting to advance in their careers. The present study is mainly aimed at exploring the glass ceiling and women’s career development in the logistics field in Sri Lanka. Qualitative research approach was adopted and in-depth interviews with ten women executives employed in the field of logistics in Sri Lanka contributed towards data collection of the study. The respondents were purposively selected. The thematic analysis revealed four themes as major glass ceiling factors: self-efficacy, family role, social capital and organizational culture. The study proposes recommendations on how women in the field of Logistics can shatter the glass ceiling to reach higher positions and the opportunities to increase women representation in top managerial positions within the field. This research intends to raise women's awareness in order to pave the way for them to rise to the top of the corporate ladder and to include women in strategic decision-making that benefits both the organization and the society.
Labour Market Flexibility and the Rise of Non-Standard Work in Nigeria
(Department of Human Resource Management, Faculty of Commerce and Management Studies, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka., 2023) Ikeije, U. U.; Okpo, S. C.
This paper examined labour market flexibility and rise of non-standard work within the Nigerian context. The objective is to examine the flexibility of the labour market and its contributions to the rise in non- standard jobs/employment in the Nigerian labour market. This paper adopted a descriptive approach which described, compared, and measured the data. Data were generated through integrative desk review of the official reports of National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and empirical report from literature. Descriptive analyses were carried-out on the data and the outcome formed the basis for interpretation. The results of data analysis revealed a constant rise in non-standard work from 16.3% in 2010 to 22.80 in 2021. On the other hand, there has been a constant decline of standard jobs from 78.6% in 2010 to 43.9% in 2021. Key sectors (oil, banking, and telecommunication) also experienced rise in non-standard work. The paper concludes that labour market flexibility, which was aided by deregulation of national labour markets, provided a fertile ground for the rise of non-standard work in Nigeria. The paper recommends that non-standard workers’ right to a free choice of employment and respectable working circumstances should be recognized in national labour market and employment policies.
Online Learning Experience During Covid-19 Pandemic: Empirical Evidence from Management Undergraduates of Private Universities in Sri Lanka
(Department of Human Resource Management, Faculty of Commerce and Management Studies, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka., 2023) Rathnakara, K. A. K. S.
In 2020/21, the Covid-19 pandemic impacted the entire planet on several levels. Regardless of their state of development, practically all economies were severely impacted. The education industry was one of the most severely impacted industries by the pandemic. It posed numerous challenges and disruptions in all aspects of educational operations, including the delivery of lectures and the completion of assignments. Working from home was established in most countries, and it was also applied to the education sector. As a result, the primary goal of this study was to evaluate university undergraduates' online learning experiences in Sri Lanka. This research digs deeper into the challenges and benefits of online learning, as well as satisfaction levels and acceptance of online learning as the new normal. According to the data, Management faculty undergraduates at non-state universities received varying levels of technical support from their relevant institutes and used a variety of online learning technologies. The most significant benefit, according to the research, is the ability to work flexible hours. Lack of student participation, lack of face-to-face contacts, internet connectivity, and technological concerns were the most common issues. Furthermore, undergraduates were found to be partially satisfied with online education but to have a higher acceptance of it.
Impact of Work-Life Balance on Job Satisfaction of Employees in Public Banks in Western Province of Sri Lanka
(Department of Human Resource Management, Faculty of Commerce and Management Studies, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka., 2023) Ekanayake, E. M. U. A.; Dilhan, A. P. S.; Suthasan, S.; Gunathilaka, M. D. T. S.; Jayasinghe, J. K. P. S. K.; Dissanayake, L. D. A. D.
This study was conducted to measure the impact of work-life balance on employees’ job satisfaction in public banks. The target population of this study was the Western province state bank employees. And out of the population, a sample of 381 respondents was collected. Using a convenient sampling method covering Gampaha, Colombo, and Kalutara districts. A structured questionnaire with 5 points Likert scale was used to collect data from respondents and analyzed it through the SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) software package. Correlation analysis, Regression analysis were used to test the relevant objectives of this research. The research findings indicate a positive relationship between job satisfaction and employees’ work-life balance in the state bank.