Commerce and Management
Permanent URI for this communityhttp://repository.kln.ac.lk/handle/123456789/140
Browse
18 results
Search Results
Item The Buddhist perspective of continual improvement(University of Kelaniya, 2016) Jayawardane, T.; de Alwis, A.C.Continual Improvement (CI) is closely linked to Japanese quality management. As the CI concepts were developed in a strong Buddhist culture in the background, a remarkable similarity can be seen between CI and Buddhism. This paper reveals the overlap between various sciences of CI and various Suttas’ in the Sutta Pitaka of Buddhism as the main reference body. Sutta Pitaka is one of the three key branches of Tripitaka which is the oldest and most original text available on the Buddhist philosophy. The similarities that are observed deep inside the tools, techniques and behavioral branches of CI such as cause and effect relations, problem validation, problem solving sequence, problem types, corrective and preventive action, nonconformity, autonomy and knowledge are discussed in detail.Item The Nexus between Employee Induction and Job Satisfaction: A Case of Executive Level Employees in Ceylon Tea Services PLC(Faculty of Commerce and Management Studies, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2016) Rebecca, E.; Bandara, M.M.M.; Weeresinghe, T.D.; de Alwis, A.C.Induction is an important Human Resource Management (HRM) function which organizations should engage in with the overall aim of increasing organizational productivity and employee motivation. According to the extant literatures there is a significance relationship between induction program and job satisfaction of employees. Thus, induction has an important part to add value to the employee commitment through its effectiveness. The primary objective of the current study was to explore the relationship between current induction programs of the selected company and employees' job satisfaction. Consequently, this study investigates how each component of induction affect to the employee satisfaction. Seventy four (74) executives those who have completed a continuous service period of 3 years in the company and have participated for the company induction were selected as the sample. Convenience sampling was applied to select the aforementioned sample. Data were collected through a standard questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and the correlation test were used to derive the conclusions. Findings reveal that 71% of the respondents are either dissatisfied or strongly dissatisfied about the current induction that they have. Further, it is found that there is a positive, but insignificant correlation between current induction programs (including the policy) and job satisfaction of executives in the company. Hence, having assessed the correlation it is recommended to give the program at the beginning of the recruitment and it is suggested to get the participation of senior management, concern on human side when design the program, gradually give introduction on the company and give relevant information gradually. Through following above process can make satisfied employees with the induction program.Item The Impact of Total Quality Management Practices on Export Performance of Apparel Exporters of Sri Lanka(2016) Abeykoon, M.W.M.; de Alwis, A.C.In today’s global competition and economic liberalization, quality has become one of the important factors for achieving competitive advantage. And this ever-increasing demand for quality product and services had forced organizations to invest substantial resources in Total Quality Management (TQM) strategies. The present day international market environment is characterized by increased number of competitors and intensified efforts at all levels and each domain. Under these circumstances quality development and its continuous advancement has developed a significant meaning. Developed countries often resist exports from developing countries if the exports do not meet their country quality standards. And Sri Lanka like other developing economies is also trying hard to exploit business opportunities in international markets and has succeeded as far as textiles and apparel industry. Purpose of this study was to examine the impact of total quality management practices (TQMP) on export performance (EP) of apparel exporters of Sri Lanka. A five point Likert scale questionnaire was used as the key instrument of data collection and data were obtained from 65 apparel exporters of Sri Lanka. Eight dimensions were used to measure TQMP including Leadership, Training, Employee Management, Information and Analysis, Supplier Management, Process Management, Customer Focus and Continuous Improvement. The correlation and regression analysis were used to examine the impact of TQMP on EP and the relationship between TQMP and EP. Results of the study clearly indicated that all dimensions except Information and Analysis were significantly correlated with EP. In addition, customer focus, continuous improvement and supplier management were found as the most significant dimensions that impact on EP.Item Assessing the implementation of total quality management in education administration institutions in the central province Sri Lanka(2016) Abeykoon, M.W.M.; de Alwis, A.C.The purpose of this study was to assess the implementation of TQM aspects among education administration institutions in the central province, Sri Lanka. This study focused on identifying the level of Hard TQM implementation and Soft TQM implementation among selected education administration institutions. A five point Likert scale questionnaire was used as the key instrument of data collection. The data were obtained from a survey of 41 administrators in education administration institutions in central province. The findings suggest that the level of hard TQM implementation is at a high level and the level of soft TQM implementation is at a moderate level. Further the study reports that the level of hard TQM implementation is higher than the level of soft TQM implementation. Among the studied Hard TQM techniques Quality Circles is reported as the most adopted technique. Customer/Citizen Satisfaction and Top Management Commitment and Support are the top principles adopted among the studied Soft TQM practices. In addition to that report revealed that there is no significance difference in between districts in central province when implementing hard TQM and soft TQM.Item Determinants of Training Motivations: A Case of Non –managerial Level Employees in Value added Tea Company(2016) Rebecca, E.; Bandara, M.M.M.; Weerasinghe, T.D.; de Alwis, A.C.The purpose of this study is to investigate the factors which determine the employees’ participation in training programs in one of the Tea Manufacturing Companies in Sri Lanka. Even though non-managerial level employees in the aforesaid company have requested several training programs from their supervisors semi-annually, they are reluctant to participate in those programs. Hence, this research is conducted as an exploratory field study which is cross-sectional, intending to explore the determinants of training motivation of employees in the selected company. Unit of analysis of the study is at the individual level; individual non-managerial employees. Researcher administered a standard questionnaire to collect primary data from a sample of 83 non-managerial employees where convenience sampling was used to select the sample. Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) was conducted to find out the significant determinants of training motivation. Moreover, factor loading values and cumulative percentage of extraction sums of squared loading values were used to draw the conclusion. It is found that self-efficacy, training reputation and job benefit are the significant training motivators for non-managerial employees in the selected company while supervisory support and the financial sponsorship were found to be insignificant motivators. Hence, it is recommended for practicing manager and Human Resource (HR) professionals in the selected domain to design training programs which will improve the efficacy and the reputation of the participant, and especially, to deliver transferable skills in designing future training programs.Item Owner Family: Critical Factor for the Success of Business Succession in Family Owned Companies(2016) de Alwis, A.C.The foremost purpose of this research was to evaluate the level of influence coming from owner family on business succession processes in various successor modes. The targeted population was selected were the successors of family owned businesses that contain between 50 and 149 employees and who were involved in a business succession process within the last 10 years. Sample units were selected through simple random sampling method and consist of 128 units. The main data collection modes were a structured research questionnaire mail-out, and also indepth discussions held on successors. All factors have a positive relationship to Initial satisfaction in Business Succession Process. However, the relatively important factor is family harmony. When succession is conducted with family member successors, the most important factor for success is family harmony. In practice business succession process encourages stakeholders to work for higher levels of satisfaction for the successor. Furthermore, the study recognizes Unrelated Manager Successor as a suitable alternative succession mode for family owned business.Item Importance of social media in destination marketing: theory and practice(2016) Berislav, A.; de Alwis, A.C.Changing economic conditions, new ways of tourist behaviour and especially Internet technologies are likely to cause the emergence of new or growth of existing tourism market. Social media plays a significant role in many aspects of tourism, especially in information search and decision-making process, destination promotion and in focusing on best practices for interacting with tourists. It can be defined as a group of Internet-based applications that build on the ideological and technological foundations of Web 2.0 and that allow the creation and exchange of user-generated content in destination marketing. In a time of economic recession, social media are having more important role as an element of destination organisation (DMO) marketing strategy when public sector decreases in their funding. According to the literature review, authors developed detailed typology of social media for the purpose of this study (social networks, social commerce, blogging, video and photo sharing, mobile apps, etc.). Empirical research will present qualitative and quantitative understanding of current use of social media on a sample of Croatian tourism destinations and tourists. The study will also show thedifferencein the number ofsocial media techniques used by DMO, as well as thegreat diversityin the useaccording to the geographicarea. Also, the paper will present future directions and suggestions which could develop e-promotion strategies in destination marketing.Item Impact of students’ perceived quality of distance education on student satisfaction with special reference to undergraduate students of bachelor of management studies degree programme, The Open University of Sri Lanka(2016) Abeykoon, M.W.B.; de Alwis, A.C.Distance education becomes more accepted as a legitimate form of education and as colleges and universities attempt to meet the growing demand for courses and programmes for distance learners, one major concern that attracts the attention is the aspect of quality. The primary issue for distance learning institutions, like for conventional ones, is quality and the assurance that students are being provided with the best possible education or training with the highest possible standards. Purpose of this study was to analyse the construct of quality as perceived by distance learners of Bachelor of Management Studies program at the Open University of Sri Lanka and the influence of this perception on the students’ satisfaction. The study focused on identifying students perceptions of key dimensions that define the construct of quality from students’ perspective. A questionnaire was used as the key tool of data collection. Descriptive and correlational statistics were the main tools used in the study. Results of the study clearly indicated that all dimensions except perception on quality of faculty were significantly correlated with students’ satisfaction. The study conclude that institutions are required to pay attention to factors such as quality of pedagogy, learner support, technological and even infrastructure as measure of meeting students’ quality expectations.Item Social Media in Destination Marketing(2016) Andrlic, B.; de Alwis, A.C.Changing economic conditions, new ways of tourist behaviour and especially Internet technologies are likely to cause the emergence of new or growth of existing tourism market. Social media plays a significant role in many aspects of tourism, especially in information search and decision-making process, destination promotion and in focusing on best practices for interacting with tourists. It can be defined as a group of Internet-based applications that build on the ideological and technological foundations of Web 2.0 and that allow the creation and exchange of user-generated content in destination marketing. In a time of economic recession, social media are having more important role as an element of destination organisation (DMO) marketing strategy when public sector decreases in their funding. According to the literature review, authors developed detailed typology of social media for the purpose of this study (social networks, social commerce, blogging, video and photo sharing, mobile apps, etc.). Empirical research will present qualitative and quantitative understanding of current use of social media on a sample of Croatian tourism destinations and tourists. The study will also show thedifferencein the number ofsocial media techniques used by DMO, as well as thegreat diversityin the useaccording to the geographicarea. Also, the paper will present future directions and suggestions which could develop e-promotion strategies in destination marketing.Item Incumbents Influence On Family Business Succession Process(2016) de Alwis, A.C.Post succession performance of family owned businesses has become ineffective. The foremost purpose of this study was to evaluate the level of influence coming from incumbent related factors on business succession processes in various successor modes. The targeted population was selected were the successors. The criteria to select the population were the family owned businesses that contain between 50 and 149 employees and who were involved in a business succession process within the last 10 years excluding the three years, 2007 to 2010. Sample was selected through simple random sampling method and consists of 128 units. The main data collection modes were a structured research questionnaire mail-out and data analysis was done mainly by using SPSS. All incumbents' related factors have a positive relationship to initial satisfaction with the business succession process. However, the relatively important factors to generate higher levels of initial satisfaction with the business succession process is the relationship between incumbent and successor. The relative importance of influential factors changes when the succession mode changes. When succession is conducted with a family member successor, the most important factor for success is successor's relationship with the incumbent. However, when succession is done with an unrelated manager successor, there is no restively important factors to the business succession process The factors of relative importance to maximize business performance after the business succession process is: t the relationship between the incumbent and successor