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Decent work for economic growth through ambidextrous leadership: a case study
(Development and Learning in Organizations: An International Journal, 2025) Darshani, R. K. N. D. D.; Surangi, H. A. K. N. S.
Purpose The aim of this paper is to explore how ambidextrous leadership enables decent work in South Asian SMEs, with insights for the Global South. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative single-case study was conducted using five semi-structured interviews with senior leaders of a medium-scale apparel SME in Sri Lanka. The study applied thematic analysis, justified sample sufficiency through data saturation, and employed strategies of reflexivity and triangulation to ensure credibility. Findings This paper found that ambidextrous leadership enables decent work for economic growth by blending formal authority with informal, trust-based practices suited to resource-constrained SME contexts. Findings also highlight how “cultural ambidexterity” allows leaders to respect hierarchy while enabling open employee voice, a dynamic not theorized in earlier ambidexterity literature. Research limitations/implications The study’s single-case focus provides in-depth insights but also limits broader generalization Practical implications The paper offers guidance for SME leaders to enhance decent work through context-sensitive, flexible leadership approaches such as daily dialogue with employees, embedding skill development into tasks, and fostering low-cost innovation through shop-floor participation. Originality/value This paper extends ambidextrous leadership theory by demonstrating its practical relevance in informal, culturally embedded SME environments and by positioning cultural ambidexterity as a distinct contribution to leadership and decent work debates in developing economies.
Comparison Between Buddhist & Modern Human Resource Practices: A Study Based on Primary Secondary Sources
(Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Nāgānanda International Institute for Buddhist Studies, 2025) Buddhika, H. J. R
This study comprehends how ancient philosophical ideas may influence or differ from contemporary organizational behaviour and management methods; the study examines the similarities and differences between traditional Buddhist perception and modern human resource (HR) practices. Integrating philosophical and cultural viewpoints into HR frameworks is becoming more popular as businesses look for more ethical and comprehensive approaches to workforce management. Buddhism offers a distinctive perspective for analyzing contemporary HR paradigms because of its strong emphasis on compassion, mindfulness, moral behaviour, and the welfare of all sentient beings. The study is based on a qualitative research methodology and an analysis based on modern HR procedures, literature reviews, and textual analysis of Buddhist scriptures (mainly the Dhammapada, Vinaya Pitaka, and other pertinent canonical texts). The study evaluated the domains of organizational culture, performance management, employee engagement, leadership, motivation, and conflict resolution. The ethical HR practices prioritizing sustainability, equity, and fairness have much in common with Buddhist concepts like Right Livelihood and Right Action from the Noble Eightfold Path. Similarly, contemporary developments in compassionate leadership and employee well-being initiatives are consistent with the Buddhist idea of Karuņā, or compassion. A key component of Buddhist practice, mindfulness is increasingly used in HR techniques that aim to increase workplace attention, emotional intelligence, and stress reduction. Modern HR practices are often driven by productivity, competitive advantage, and measurable outcomes, whereas Buddhist approaches are rooted in spiritual development, self-realization, and the cessation of suffering. By bridging ancient wisdom with contemporary management, the study advocates for a balanced approach that respects individual dignity, promotes mental well-being, and supports sustainable organizational development. In conclusion, while Buddhist teachings may not entirely replace modern HR methods, their integration can enrich existing frameworks by offering a more humane and ethical foundation. This fusion presents a promising avenue for the evolution of HR practices that are efficient but also mindful, inclusive, and aligned with deeper human values.
A Machine Learning Approach to Detect Denial of Sleep Attacks in Internet of Things (IoT)
(IoT, 2025) Dissanayake, I.; Welhenge, A.; Weerasinghe, H. D.
The Internet of Things (IoT) has rapidly evolved into a central component of today’s technological landscape, enabling seamless connectivity and communication among a vast array of devices. It underpins automation, real-time monitoring, and smart infrastructure, serving as a foundation for Industry 4.0 and paving the way toward Industry 5.0. Despite the potential of IoT systems to transform industries, these systems face a number of challenges, most notably the lack of processing power, storage space, and battery life. Whereas cloud and fog computing help to relieve computational and storage constraints, energy limitations remain a severe impediment to long-term autonomous operation. Among the threats that exploit this weakness, the Denial-of-Sleep (DoSl) attack is particularly problematic because it prevents nodes from entering low-power states, leading to battery depletion and degraded network performance. This research investigates machine-learning (ML) and deep-learning (DL) methods for identifying such energy-wasting behaviors to protect IoT energy resources. A dataset was generated in a simulated IoT environment under multiple DoSl attack conditions to validate the proposed approach. Several ML and DL models were trained and tested on this data to discover distinctive power-consumption patterns related to the attacks. The experimental results confirm that the proposed models can effectively detect anomalous behaviors associated with DoSl activity, demonstrating their potential for energy-aware threat detection in IoT networks. Specifically, the Random Forest and Decision Tree classifiers achieved accuracies of 98.57% and 97.86%, respectively, on the held-out 25% test set, while the Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) model reached 97.92% accuracy under a chronological split, confirming effective temporal generalization. All evaluations were conducted in a simulated environment, and the paper also outlines potential pathways for future physical testbed deployment.
Risk factors of lymphatic filariasis in Asia: a systematic review
(BMC Infectious Diseases, 2025) Galgamuwa, L. S.; Hakmanage, N. M.; Fernando, S.
Background Lymphatic filariasis remains a major public health challenge across many parts of Asia, where environmental, socioeconomic, behavioral, and programmatic factors converge to sustain transmission. Understanding the risk factors for lymphatic filariasis supports in guiding targeted interventions, including enhancing mass drug administration (MDA), strengthening vector control, and creating educational initiatives for the community. This focused strategy can increase the efficacy and efficiency of LF elimination initiatives in various Asian contexts. Methods This review was conducted with available literature to assess risk factors of lymphatic filariasis in Asia in line with the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. Searches were performed in PubMed, Google Scholar, Science Direct and Springer Nature Link databases and included 12,402 original English-language studies published up to January 2025. A total of forty four journal articles containing factors associated with lymphatic filariasis in different microscopic and clinical diagnostic stages, including over 284,908 participants were finally assessed for this review. Results Circulating filarial antigen (CFA) was consistently higher among males and older individuals, particularly in low-elevation areas and densely populated households in Myanmar and Sri Lanka. Factors related to occupation and socioeconomic status, such as outdoor employment, low income, and poorly constructed housing, were associated with a greater risk of infection in Malaysia and Indonesia. Similar patterns were noted for microfilaremia, with male gender, advancing age, and poorly constructed housing identified as significant predictors in various studies conducted in India and Indonesia. Other contributing factors included low educational attainment, inadequate sanitation, inconsistent use of bed nets, proximity to drainage systems, and migration status in Asia. Conclusion The findings indicate that the transmission of lymphatic filariasis (LF) in Asia is influenced by a combination of demographic, social, and environmental elements. This underscores the necessity for comprehensive vector control and community-oriented initiatives that address both the health and social dimensions of the disease.
A Comprehensive Evaluation of a Formal Peer Tutoring and Support Centre in Sri Lankan Higher Education: An Impact Analysis
(Faculty of Education, University of Colombo., 2025) Radhakrishnan, H. K.; Rajapaksha, R.
Peer tutoring has been widely accepted as an effective complement to traditional teaching, enhancing academic performance, fostering collaboration, and accommodating diverse learning needs and gaps. However, in Sri Lanka, peer learning within the higher education sector has remained chiefly informal. This study evaluated the first-ever formal Tutoring and Support Centre (TSC) established in a technological faculty of a state university with the objectives: (1) to understand its impact on students' core subject comprehension, (2) to assess its ability to create an inclusive environment that overcomes language barriers, and (3) to identify key aspects required for the successful establishment of a formal peer tutoring approach within the Sri Lankan higher education sector. This study employed a mixed-methods approach to analyse data collected over an eight-month period, which included tutor availability, session activity logs, and student feedback. The dataset analysed consisted of inputs from 100 undergraduates who were tutees and 36 peer tutors. One hundred one tutoring sessions were conducted, with the focus being on the core subjects of Mathematics, Physics, Programming, and Statistics. The study's outcomes indicated high student satisfaction, with 85.1% of 208 feedback responses rating the sessions 10/10 and 11.5% rating them 9/10. Thematic analysis of qualitative student feedback highlighted the tutors' clarity in explaining complex concepts, the judgment-free environment, and personalised guidance in familiar language as key strengths. The overall analysis further revealed strong and continuous engagement among both tutees and tutors, showcasing the operational feasibility of a formal peer tutoring establishment. While the study primarily measured self-assessed impact rather than objective academic outcomes, the consistently positive responses underscore the centre's potential as a replicable model within Sri Lankan higher education. To ensure long-term sustainability, it is recommended that peer tutoring be embedded into academic calendars, that pedagogical training be provided for tutors, and that dedicated infrastructure be established for tutoring sessions.