Master of Business Administration in Project Management

Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://192.248.9.226/handle/123/32

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item: Thesis-Full-text
Causes and effects of delays in medium scale building construction projects in Sri Lanka
Samarakoon, SMS; Ekanayake, LL
The main purpose or this study is to identify the causes or delays in medium scale building projects in Sri Lanka. highlight its impact on the construction industry and to forward recommendations for minimization or such delays . A questionnaire survey was carried out among the professionals engaged in medium scale building projects to identify the delays and their effects. Hundred and twenty two professionals responded. The relative important index method was adopted to rank the GIUSCS and effects in the order 01" their importance and "Improper project management by the contractor" was identified as the main cause. Other causes for the project delays were identified as "Shortage of " labour". "Improper planning by contractor" and "Financial problems or the clients". The most damaging effect or the delays was identified as the "Cost overrun" whilst other adverse effects were recognized as "Time overrun". "Disputes" and ..Arbitron". Key players in the construction industry are contractors. Consultants and clients. They hold diverse views on the causes for delays. But at times agree on certain issues. Hence. Spearman's Rank Correlation Coefficient method was used to check the agreement among them. Having identified the causes for the delays and ranking the same, separate set of guidelines were prepared for each party. identifying the areas they need to improve/concentrate to overcome the problem or delays. These guidelines will ensure that clients would pay more attention on aspects such as project management. identification or rlit requirements or the building. minimizing design/structural changes during construction and setting realistic time targets whereas the main areas in relation to the contractors would be efficient project management. financial management. and material procurement. Further. the proposed Guidelines will focus the attention of the Consultants on issues such as minimizing discrepancies in bidding documents. effective approval process. and identification of the client' s requirements.
item: Thesis-Abstract
Cost of software quality (CoSQ) contribution towards, gaining higher return on investment in software development projects
De Silva, OWW; Ekanayake, LL
Information Technology plays a key and decisive role in the modern business world. Along with the ever increasing importance and the decisive role of Information Technology, Software Development has taken a prime place in the holistic context of Information Technology. Under the said circumstances, there arises the urgent need to have carefully planned, efficient quality assurances processes for these software systems. It is essential to put it place more accurate prediction of the potential costs and anticipated benefits of various quality assurances technically within a particular project as it facilitates for economically rational decision making. The main goal of this research is to obtain an enhanced understanding pertaining to the examination of the impact of cost of software quality towards deciding the level of return on investment applicable to the software development projects. The sample of this research was formed within Virtusa private limited in Sri Lanka who especially involved with IT project management responsibilities in organizations. Data was gathered from a corporate database and also through a structured questionnaire. The main findings of the research shows once the company has identified its key processes and established adequate process control, quality can be easily linked to financial performance. It also reveals that the Software development project's ROI is a widely used approach for, measuring the value of a new and improved process or product technology, convincing managers to invest money and effort in improvement, and convincing them that the company can help solve structural problems, estimating how much effort to invest to solve a certain problem or estimating whether a certain intended benefit is worth its cost, deciding which process improvement to implement first as many organizations must prioritize these due to timing and resource constraints. Limitation of this research was the small sample space. Although it was deemed that formal interviews and forum discussions would greatly benefit the purpose of this research, such research methodology could not be performed
item: Thesis-Full-text
Impact of monetary and non monetary rewards towards employee motivation : case study of garment industry in Sri Lanka
Perera, KE; Ekanayake, LL
This research is carried out to investigate the impact of monetary and non-monetary rewards towards employee motivation. Therefore, research objectives are set out to understand to identify different financial and non-financial rewards used by the organization considered, to critically evaluate the importance of using financial and non-financial rewards for organization and to access the significant of motivating employees for the organization.Further, study is carried out to analyse the impact of financial and non-financial rewards on employee motivation of the organization. Further study is used to provide recommendations on ensuring employee motivation through financial and non-financial rewards.Primary and secondary data collection methods are used to investigate the study. Quantitative data analysis method is used to collect numerical data and analyse the numerical data from SPSS statistical software a well MS Excel. Frequency distribution analysis is used to address the second objective of the research. Thereby, it can be concluded that all independent variables are important for motivation as they are all above the mean value of 3. The most important reward is achievement followed by influence. Monetary rewards are also of high importance according to the above analysis.Correlation analysis and Regression analysis is carried out to explore the most significance motivating factors which affects the employee’s motivation. And it is found that Achievement Recognition and Financial Rewards are most significant factors that affects the employee motivation.It is recommended to provide support to employees to achieve job tasks, to motivate employees while appraising their exceptional performance, to motivate employees by considering their new ideas and suggestions, to get the employee participation in organisational decision making process, to allow employees to get benefits from opportunities, to allow employees to take organisational decisions freely, to keep the employee suggestion box to motivate employees in other way, to develop training and development programs to enhance employee skills and competencies of the organisation and to provide monetary rewards to employees of the organisation.
item: Thesis-Full-text
Longline fishing in Sri Lanka
(2014-08-19) Krishan, KWR; Ekanayake, LL
Coastal and deep sea fishing are the main sub sectors of Sri Lankan fishery industry. The deep sea fisheries in Sri Lanka have been in existence since the early 1980. Sri Lanka coastal fishing sector mainly uses conventional methods with less capital investments. Dispute of this, coastal fish production of Sri Lanka is higher than the deep sea fish production. Longline and gillnet are the two widely use fishing methods in deep sea fishing sector. In this paper economic efficiency, Post Harvest Fish Lost (PHFL) of longline fishing are evaluated and identified. Similar evaluation is conducted for gillnet fishing to compare the position of longline fishing in the deep sea fishing sector. Research methodology for economic efficiency and PHFL was developed using the findings of literature survey. Primary data were collected from 150 deep sea vessels operated in Negombo fishery harbour. 3,346 deep sea fishing vessels are operated in Sri Lanka in the year 2010 according to the fishery statistic 2010, issued by Ministry of fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development (MFARD). Data collection was done during February through October of 2011 in Negombo fishery harbour. Accounting Rate of Return (ARR) measures the net gain from a capital investment. ARR is use to evaluate and identify the economic efficiencies of longline fishing and gillnet fishing. To calculate ARR, capital investments, fix costs, variable costs, revenues, number of fishing trips per years are used.Further this paper investigates the trend of longline fishing in the Sri Lanka. Secondary data from MFARD and FAO were used to evaluate and identify the trend. Findings indicate that the ARR for longline fishing are attractive and comparatively higher than gillnet fishing. It is found that PHFL of longline Fishing is very less. PHFL of longline fishing is found as around 12.5% of gillnet fishing. Further deep sea fishing sector demonstrates impressive improvement during last few years. Hence the results conclude that high return and high quality standard of longline fishing. This will make longline fishing more popular and attractive in deep sea fishery sector. Further Deep sea fishing will dominate Sri Lanka fishery sector as implied in trend analysis. Hence longline fishing will be very significant in Sri Lanka fishery sector. It is suggested that in order to improve the fisher sector in Sri Lanka, longline fishing should be promoted by placing right credit mechanism to the fishermen, easy and affordable access to modern technology and right infrastructures for longline vessels in fishery harbours.
item: Thesis-Abstract
Outsourcing -influences and outcomes from telecommunication industry in Sri Lanka
indrasiri, GHPM; Ekanayake, LL
Outsourcing is a concept, which is considered to be an emerging in this decade since all organizations required surviving and being competitive in the market where it plays. Telecommunications industry in Sri Lanka is one of the rapid growing industry, where it is considered to be having more and more competition among the operators. This competition is critical due to the prevailing economic environment, where all organizations will focus on reduced costs structure while improving their capabilities within the industry. Therefore, "Out sourcing" is regarded as a major strategy to achieve f1exibility, which keeps the organization in a competitive position in the industry.Since there were few studies on outcomes of out sourcing and to improve knowledge of the decision makers who involved in outsourcing decision, study on outsourcing was carried out. Main objectives of the research were to identify key inf1uences, how outsourcing is carried out and common characteristics of successful out sourcing programs.Based on the theoretical frame work, three organizations were selected from the telecom industry in Sri Lanka and carried out a case study on the out sourcing programs, which had been initiated by those organizations. Since the operating structure and business processes were the same in the industry, organizations were selected in three disciplines like mobile, fixed line and CDMA operators. Managerial positions, who involved in outsourcing of business processes of above organizations,were interviewed base on a structured interview guide.Case studies revealed the major influences of outsourcing and the common characteristics of outsourcing programs. Also, it revealed the way that out sourcing of business processes were carried out in telecommunication sector.
item: Thesis-Full-text
Public -private partnerships for infrastructure development in Sri Lanka
(2014-08-21) Perera, WSL; Ekanayake, LL
Public- Private Partnerships (PPPs) is becoming a popular investment model since late 1980s and 1990s in the world. PPPs in the delivery of public services have become a phenomenon which is spreading around the globe and generating great interest among governments, investors and other key project stakeholders. PPPs avoid the often negative effects of either exclusive public ownership or outright privatization. This is seen as a win-win situation for both public and private entities where they undertake large budget projects. This balanced approach is especially welcomed in public services which touch on every human being's basic needs & economical development of a country. Basically in this research, it is attempted to address three main objectives, which are to identify the current PPP coverage on infrastructure projects in Sri Lanka, to identify current deficiencies in PPP practices and areas which resist PPP being an attractive investment model in infrastructure developments in Sri Lankan context and to propose an improved PPP framework/model that can be use effectively and address the identified problems in infrastructure developments in Sri Lanka. (Based on Indian PPP framework) Based on theoretical framework in this research, a structured questionnaire was introduced for collecting data. Then, the data set has been evaluated using Likert Scale and giving weights for that and the total percentage of score. To get the maximum benefit from PPPs to a country, there are three main needs that motivate the governments to encourage into PPPs for develop infrastructures, Those are, first attract private capital investment, secondly increase efficiency and use available resources more effectively, thirdly reform sectors through a reallocation of roles, incentives, and accountability, better customers service, employee morale, transfer of technology and training for the people. In contrast, the Indian context/ framework of PPP practice has been compared against the deficiencies in the local PPP set up that is to suggest improvements to the Sri Lankan PPP framework
item: Thesis-Abstract
Risk management process for power generation projects in Sri Lanka
Wanniarachchi, TA; Ekanayake, LL
Risk management helps potential obstacles to be identified and contained early through proper response strategies, thereby minimizing negative impacts on positive aspects on project cost, schedule, scope and quality. Managing potential risks also helps identify opportunities that may enhance the project and have a positive impact on project objectives. The initial surveys carried out by the author revealed that neither the main power utility in Sri Lanka, the Ceylon Electricity Board nor any of the Independent Power Produces operating in the country either possess or practice any documented, structured Risk Management Process for power generation projects. Therefore, there is a great requirement to develop an appropriate Risk Management Process for Sri Lankan power generation projects. The main scope of this research is to formulate a Risk Management Process for Power Generation Projects (RMPPGP), taking in to account the current risk management context of the country. In the thesis, the author has proposed an RMPPGP consisting of six sub-process i.e Establishment of the risk management context of the Power Project, Risk identification, Risk analysis , Risk response planning, Risk monitoring & control and Communicate &consult. Comprehensive flow charts for each of these sub-processes and also the required supporting material of the RMPPGP have also been presented for convenient practice.
item: Thesis-Abstract
Solution for national water supply & drainage board customers' problems in Colombo city
(2014-08-20) Letchumanamohan, S; Ekanayake, LL
Clean and adequate water is a basic and fundamental requirement of human beings. Focusing on customer requirement is particularly important, where several alternative sources and service providers are available. Customer satisfaction and good customer relationships are important in any business, which is also applicable to the N WS&DB in spite of state monopoly. A satisfied customer would assist by informing any pipe leaks in the distribution system and house connection promptly. This research aims to access the customer satisfaction levels of the NWS&DB customers, identify problems faced by the customers and suggest solutions in order to improve the intuitional and operational system. A questionnaire survey was conducted in 36 householders in Colombo South area who had complained to the NWS&DB. The important problems identified in the customer's survey are insufficient pressure in the distribution system, inaccurate meter reading, delay to attend repair work and poor quality of repairs. The relevant NWS&DB Engineers were interviewed to collect reasons for the above mentioned problems and the following important human resources management problems were identified. • Lack of self interest in the repair gangs • Lack of authority/ funds, to procure sufficient number of equipment. The important reasons for the customers' problems include • Minimum accountability of repairs as large number of the site gangs carry out the repair works in the whole city rather than a small number attending a specified area. • Minimum proactive maintenance and repairs are carried out by the existing O&M section, due to lack of motivation • At present the numbers of repair gangs are insufficient. The problem is worsened due to police requirement to carry out night work. The important reasons for all customers' problems were analyzed in order to propose a feasible management option on par with the available industry practices. The solution for the problems is recommended as both long term and short term. As a long term solution, decentralization of repairs and O&M of distribution system, and an incentive scheme in order to motivate the workers have been recommended. In order to solve the immediate problem the recommended short term solution is outsourcing of development works and excess activities for which available staff are inadequate. Further

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