Browsing by Author "Devapriya, KAK"

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item: Thesis-Abstract
Analysis of land value caused by post war development projects in Northeast of Sri Lanka
(2014-08-07) Balakumar, N; Devapriya, KAK; PROJECT MANAGEMENT - Dissertations
There has been a significant growth in Northeast of Sri Lanka due to ongoing Post War Development Projects (PWDPs) such as road, bridge, water supply, electricity, public buildings, amenities, infrastructure and commercial development. They directly give the benefit for urban and suburb people while PWDPs increase the commercial and residential Land Value (LV) according to the theories of urban development, land economics and real estate terms. Meanwhile Land related investors and policy makers face sort of information about fluctuation of current and future LVs due to PWDPs which was special intention to attempt this study to find the trend of LVs. The study was entirely based on quantitative data collection of LVs in addition to the project information on PWDPs while data were collected from observation, websites and dissuasion with primary stake holders. The most of the LVs were collected from Valuation Department and finally all LVs were sorted out to 373 land transactions. The analysis part mainly focused to find the relationship between dependant variable of LV and independent variables of Life Cycle Phases (LCPs) of PWDPs, distance from City Centre and year of value. An important result of this study is statistical findings to claim huge increment for commercial LVs and appreciation level for residential LVs. But, there is no reaction for agricultural LVs during the PWDPs. Furthermore, it is expected that in some selected areas there will have higher value at the completion stage of the PWDPs in future. Besides City Centre upgrading and Outer City expansion have been found respectively urban and suburb areas. The results of the study clearly reveal the value increment for commercial and residential land owners by PWDPs. Therefore policy makers may think to collect betterment charges from land owners. The local authorities need to maintain and preserve the project deliverables of PWDPs to sustain the LVs without low down them in future. For the investment purpose the real estate involvement in selected areas will be more profitable than ever.
item: Conference-Abstract
Applicability of polymer building materials for productivity enhancement and cost reduction in Sri Lankan building industry
(2021-07) Wijeratne, SD; Devapriya, KAK; Gallage, SD
Building construction contributes to a substantial consumption of raw materials compared to other sectors in Sri Lanka. Despite the excessive consumption of raw materials, industry is suffering due to low productivity and economic inefficiency. Thus, the circumstance has led to employ alternative building materials to overcome productivity and cost inefficiency with favourable impacts on sustainability. Polymer has become a global phenomenon with increasing demand as sustainable alternative. Polymer facilitates multiple applications in building construction due to its supreme properties and characteristics. Thus, this research focused develop a quantitative model based on factors related to productivity enhancement and cost reduction to measure the applicability of polymer materials in Sri Lankan building construction. A mixed approach consisting of semi structured interviews followed by a questionnaire survey was adapted for conduct this study. 12 experts were selected for the semi structured interviews and 34 respondents participated for the questionnaire survey. The significance of favourable impact to the productivity and cost efficiency of using polymer materials have been identified in the study. The study discussed the applicability of polymer types in building sector in Sri Lanka and derived resulted in a quantitative model to measure applicability of polymer adoption in the terms of productivity and cost related factors. Study concluded that inherent properties of polymers, buildability, ability to prefabricate, life cycle cost, handling would improve the applicability to local context. Further, relationship identified through the regression model would assist practitioners to select polymer materials while enabling researchers to improve the quality of the products.
item: Conference-Full-text
Applicability of public-private partnership to overcome the challenges encountered by public sector building projects in Sri Lanka.
(2022-06-24) Dissanayake, DMDD; Devapriya, KAK; Sandanayake, YG; Gunatilake, S; Waidyasekara, KGAS
Public-Private Partnership (PPP) is a connection between public sector and private sector for a long duration with the aim of producing public services. PPP provides a mechanism for governments to bridge the supply-demand gap by developing new facilities in the construction industry. It is an extensive necessity for the Sri Lankan context due to the declining position in economic growth over the past years. Since PPP is already being practiced in Sri Lankan infrastructural projects, it is essential to investigate the ability of PPP to improve the public sector building projects (PSBP) in Sri Lanka (SL). An extensive literature synthesis was carried out to identify the PPP approaches and challenges encountered by PSBP. The challenges encountered by PSBP were validated and updated by conducting a semi-structured preliminary interview to comply with the Sri Lankan context. A questionnaire survey was conducted to identify the ability of PPP approaches to overcome the challenges in PSBP. Data analysis was done by conducting the Relative Important Index (RII) technique. The findings revealed that PPP has a high ability to overcome the challenges encountered by public sector building projects. Therefore PPP can be recommended as a procurement strategy for PSBP in SL.
item: Conference-Full-text
Awareness and perception of quantity surveyors toward the smart construction concepts
(Faculty of Architecture Research Unit, 2023-12) Rajapaksha, RSV; Devapriya, KAK; Parameswaran, A
The construction industry is undergoing a transformative phase due to the integration of modern technologies such as Building Information Modeling (BIM), the Internet of Things (IoT), Big Data, Machine Learning, and Blockchain. Quantity surveyors, as pivotal figures in construction projects, must adapt to these advancements. Therefore, the research aimed to determine the perception and impact of new smart concepts and technological trends on quantity surveying professionals. Accordingly, the research adopts a mixed approach. The data was collected through semi-structured interviews and questionnaires. Manual content analysis and the Relative Important Index (RII) were used to analyse the collected data. The findings demonstrate that all identified smart construction concepts significantly influence the quantity surveying profession, with BIM exerting the most substantial impact. Further, the study emphasises the urgency for quantity surveying professionals to upgrade their knowledge and skills to remain relevant in this technologically advancing landscape. Moreover, the research recommended that industry professionals, construction organisations, and academia facilitate this knowledge enhancement through Continuous Professional Development (CPD) workshops, webinars, specialized training sessions, and formal education programs to stay abreast of these modern trends and technologies. Subsequently, this research serves as a valuable guide for stakeholders, encouraging proactive steps towards integrating modern technology into the traditional domain of quantity surveying.
item: Conference-Full-text
Development of a computer model for cost estimation in educational buildings
Chandraratne, KADSM; Devapriya, KAK; Pandithawatta, TPWSI
Cost estimating in construction is critical at the early stage of the project in order to determine whether the project is feasible or not to the client. Cost estimators are facing numerous difficult moments due to incomplete project details and unavailability of cost estimation instruments in early stages of a project. This issue uplifts the necessity of novel and advanced cost model which would be simple, understandable and more reliable. Within the Sri Lankan context, the accuracy of the estimated amount is solely based on the experience and skills of the estimator due to unavailability of reliable cost estimation tool for educational institution buildings in Sri Lanka. Therefore, this paper aims to discuss about the development of a computer model for cost estimation in educational buildings with the current practices and related issues in preparing preliminary project estimates. Semi structured interviews were conducted between twelve experts from consultancy and contractor organisations and the necessary cost data were selected from twenty educational buildings. The Multiple Regression Analysis and Artificial Neural Network methods were utilised to analyse the collected data. Each method has a unique way of building relationships between predictors and responses. However, both the methods were succeeded only in estimating cost of limited number of sub-elements. Multiple Regression Analysis succeeded on five occasions and Artificial Neural Network method had presented efficacy in seven sub-elements only. Altogether eight elements were succeeded in estimating the cost of an educational institution buildings.
item: Conference-Full-text
Disputes between main contractor and subcontractor: causes and preventions
Shivanthi, BKC; Devapriya, KAK; Pandithawatta, TPWSI
Disputes free subcontract is a key to success of modern construction industry which largely depends on subcontracting. Since this effort has to be made on the expense of time and cost, which can be used otherwise to add more value to the project, it is vital to decide an effective mechanism to mitigate subcontract disputes. Considering the need for addressing this fact, this paper aims to investigate causes of subcontract disputes and effective prevention measures. Mixed approach was followed in order to achieve the aim of the study. Thus, a preliminary survey was conducted to validate literature findings and a questionnaire survey was carried out with contractor and subcontractor representatives to identify causes of subcontract disputes and prevention measures. The findings of the preliminary survey were analysed using content analysis technique and data captured through questionnaire survey was evaluated using relative important index and weighted mean. Incompleteness of the contract was identified as the primary reason of disputes in subcontracts. Further, financial issues, risks and uncertainties, collaborative conflicts, opportunistic behaviours of contracting parties and wrong practices also have a significant impact on occurrence of disputes. Proper contract management and proper site management which includes scheduling and effective project management practices were identified as the most effective prevention measures. The contract administrators should identify the things they should necessarily address in the contract and project managers in dispute prevention regards should consider time and cost constraints to prioritize effective prevention measures.
item: Thesis-Full-text
Earn value management for performance measurement in public housing construction projects in Sri Lanka
Harshani, WDC; Devapriya, KAK
Most of construction organizations use project budget when commencing the project. but most of organizations don't properly monitor and use it as a performance measurement ool from the begninig to end of every project. There is no proper basis or standard practice in construction projects for preparing a project budget where Budgeted cost for work performed (BCWP) can be accurately calculated for performance measurement. If there is a proper framework to evaluate the budget, mainly, project team can understand the financial and physical progress of the project rather than other benefits of having a project budget. Earned Value Management (EVM) has been used in other industries such as software and product development businesses. Its applicability within the construction industry as risk-free performance measurement tool is still been overlooked in the industry. EVM supports effective management of projects and work packages collectively and enhances management of the enterprises’ project portfolio. Forecasting using these techniques provides a uniform approach to project reviews, building confidence in the project outcome as time progresses. The concept of EVM, process of EVM, benefits & potential drawbacks have been discussed at literature synthesis. Case study approach was selected for research methodology and Semi-structured interviews, for data collection with the professionals in construction projects to investigate the basic elements which may have in a costing framework and as well as conduct a case study for evaluating the feasibility of the proposed costing framework for evaluating the project budget. Therefore, this research intends to identify a framework to prepare a proper cost budget for public housing construction projects using which, BCWP can be accurately calculated. Usability of EVM in practice is reflected with the measurement of physical progress with the budgeted and actual cost of the housing project.
item: Conference-Abstract
Effect of social and environmental factors on expressway construction in Sri Lanka
(2021-07) Karunathilaka, HLPU; Devapriya, KAK; Shanika, VG
Expressway construction projects are one of the crucial infrastructure projects for a country. Hence, assessment of environmental and social implications prior to initiation of the expressway construction project is vital. Thus, the research aims to analyse effect of social and environmental factors on expressway construction in Sri Lanka. Initially a comprehensive literature review was done to discuss on expressway construction in Sri Lanka and environmental and social implications of expressway construction in global context. The study followed a qualitative approach. Hence, four expert interviews were carried out to explore more on the same context limiting to Sri Lanka. Experts were selected from only on-going expressway project in Sri Lanka, central expressway project. Moreover, collected data were analysed through manual content analysis. The study findings highlighted viaduct construction, land acquisition and rock blasting as the major activities relating to environmental implications of the expressway construction projects. Thus, rational, logical, scientific, and technical selection of the routes is the most effective and efficient mean in minimizing adverse impacts. Hence planning of these activities should be done with due care by authorities only after proper feasibility studies. Further, major factors affecting social implications of the expressway construction have been identified as settlement, livelihood, public infrastructure and health and safety. Hence, resettlement action plans need to be updated to comply with the identified requirements through environmental and social factors.
item: Article-Full-text
An em.pirical ana.lysis of debt capacity of project companies in emerging economies
(2016-05-24) Devapriya, KAK; Alfen, HW
Within institutional economics perspective of project finance, this paper empirically examines the potential influence of factors on debt capacity in project companies when financed through bank-dominated financial systems with comparatively weak legal, regulatory and political institutions. The principle focus of the research is on governance impact on debt capacity of the project company rather than traditional determinants of capital structure choice. • Following previous linear functions on loan syndication, an econometric model on debt capacity is constructed using institutional environment and transaction-specific variables. The model is run for a sample of infrastructure project companies in Asia within the domain of structuring of credit transactions. • The econometric results confirm that stable institutional environments and appropriate mechanisms to manage risk of agency problems increase debt capacity in project companies financed through bank-type intermediaries in emerging economies. • These findings reveal that improvements in institutional capacity and establishment of alternative arrangements to mange credit risks could work to promote long-term investment schemes such as project finance for infrastructure development.
item: Thesis-Full-text
Financial management of infrastructure construction projects in Sri Lanka
Rambukwella, SCRK; Devapriya, KAK
Infrastructure construction as a market segment has always attracted the attention of the society since it is connected with the alleviation of the living standards of the people. But often the infrastructure construction projects encounter financial blunders which are due to various reasons such as complexity, advance technology, external influences, high resource requirements and poor managements. The performance of the infrastructure construction projects is important in retaining and attracting the investment on the infrastructure construction. Since government reserves are limited the private investments are required in the infrastructure developments. In this context a look at the financial performance of the investment in infrastructure is important. The client of an infrastructure development who is at the high end of the disbursement of the investment and who is often responsible for the payback of the investment, should have the optimum performance out of the project. But the proper use of this investment is also dependent on the proper financial management of the construction organization who sits at the low end of the investment project. Out of the many stakeholders of the construction sector the survival of the construction organization is important in the continuity of the construction industry. The capability of the construction organization to handle large projects with success is important in the survival of the organization. This study has undertaken the task of studying how financial management is carried out with the execution of the infrastructure projects by a construction organization. Altogether ten numbers of infrastructure projects have been chosen to study with their cash flows and other financial details and along with the quantitative details qualitative details have also been studied regarding the project management and structure in order to strengthen the quantitative data analysis. The study revealed that the outcome of each project differed along with the project management structure and the project management structure was similar for similarly characterized projects which produced similar achievements. The study also revealed that the construction organization adopts different management methods for the large scale projects even if they are similar in characteristics for other small scale projects. The results have concluded that the financial management differs with the experience the contractor has gained in the particular sector and a major contribution can be from the reason that the contractor has achieved maturity regarding the types of risk he can face in the sector and has developed risk management mechanisms accordingly.
item: Conference-Full-text
A Framework to implement design and built practices for green and adaptive reuse of existing buildings
(2018) Wijesiri, WMM; Devapriya, KAK; Rathnasiri, HWTP; Samarawickrama, S.
Adaptive Reuse is the process to improve environmental, social and financial performance of buildings. Reuse of existing buildings, especially as a result of performance upgrades has been identified with a significant impact on the sustainability of built environment. Application of adaptive reuse with green building concept is known as difficult and lacks attention in the field of research. Further, the potential to implement Green Adaptive Reuse has become uncertain as the way of implementing specific design, build practices for green buildings is still unknown. Thus, this research is aimed at developing a framework to implement design and built practices for green adaptive reuse of existing buildings. A qualitative research approach was followed for this research with semi-structured nterviews involving nine (09) local expert professionals and one (01) international expert professional. The findings were analyzed using content analysis method. Physical, Economics, Functional, Technological, Social, Legal and Political were identified as major design criteria, which related to green building practices. Further, the findings included with barriers and strategies for the implementation of green adaptive reuse for existing buildings. Considering the Sri Lankan context, this study developed a framework as a guide for the implementation of green adaptive reuse for existing buildings. Moreover, government involvement, conducting social awareness programmes, developing skilled professionals, empowering the regulations, provisions of tax concessions through government intervention were highlighted as strategies to mitigate barriers of green adaptive reuse. Finally, a framework was developed for the implementation of green adaptive reuse concept for existing buildings.
item: Conference-Full-text
An investigation into value addition concept correlated to facilities management
Udawatta, CS; Devapriya, KAK; Gowsiga, M; Thatshayini, P.
The purpose of this research is to enable Facilities Management (FM) decision makers to identify key FM interventions that add value to the organisations and to manage a successful implementation and to measure the outputs. This study inaugurated with literature review, and then a preliminary survey was carried out to validate the data gathered from the literature review. To inform the findings reported in this paper data was collected through semi structured interviews with expert from different industrial backgrounds. Empirical finding shows that most industrial professions think they should apply the concept of Adding Value in daily practice but there are constraints such as resistance from top management, limitations within the hierarchy, workload factor etc. Many experts identified that identifying a particular added value and the part FM played in is extremely complex and momentarily difficult. And the most acceptable interventions which were identified through interviews are changing the physical environment, changing the facilities services and strategic advice and planning. All the interviewees agreed that they only use Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to measure the performance of facility related activities.
item: Thesis-Abstract
Nature of status consumption in construction industry of Sri Lanka
(2014-12-10) Rodrigo, KSC; Devapriya, KAK
This study aims to provide a scientific insight into the consumers’ behavior in the construction Industry in Sri Lanka. Consumer behavior in the construction industry presents a veritable problem to be reckoned with, which has not yet been addressed scientifically. The broader objective of the Study is to investigate the peoples’ preferences in constructing or purchasing their houses as commodities, and how they use their house constructing or purchasing in commodity form to demonstrate their social status, lifestyle and other social and cultural values to the society. Further, it is expected, especially, to identity the determinants of the consumer behavior, to rate them in terms of importance, and to identify the relative importance of the determinants in different segments. This research presents results from a dual study based on interviews with six leading Architects and six Contractors who are engaged in housing projects in Western Province. A sample of 53 householders in the Western Province were also interviewed. Altogether, views of 65 respondents were recorded using liker-scales. . Data on housing consumption in the last ten years was collected also from Census and Statistics Department. The study has found that there is a strong trend towards the status-consumption. This study reveals that people are concerned about the type of the houses where they live in, because they believe their houses symbolized their status, life style, income and family background etc. Because of that, when they planned their houses, they have been concerned about the modern style features. Therefore, they tend to seek the assistance of architects to design their houses. Moreover, this study reveals the perception of house owners that people have more respect for those living in modern houses. When people cannot afford to built to modern house, most of them start modernizing their houses when their income increases.
item: Thesis-Abstract
Portfolio approach for agro enterprises in Sri Lanka
(2015-02-07) Liyanagama, PL; Devapriya, KAK
Portfolio Approach for Agro Enterprises in Sri Lanka The industrial sector has been continuously growing during the last few decades. The sector’s development is, nevertheless important as the sector has a high potential for contributing to poverty reduction. Therefore, agriculture, a principal sector in most developing countries should be accorded a high priority. Still the investments in agriculture, at both national and global levels have declined. But the performances shown in rubber based products, food and beverages hindered the reality by up lifting the figures and statistics. There is an urgent need for revising this trend with the evident of benefits highly gained through agricultural research and development investments in both public and private sector by industrial countries. It is more vital to bring the private sector in to the stage. The research conducted with the aim of analyzing agro enterprises in Sri Lanka and the objectives were lined up as identifying the extent to which the portfolio management is practiced in selected agro enterprises and their risk and return behavior in observing the context of portfolio approach. Five agricultural entities were purposively selected from the agro companies population registered under Colombo Stock Exchange. Two major companies were analyzed in detail and referring figures published by RAM ratings Lanka (Pvt.) Ltd. And the risk and return behavior of all five companies were observed. The return on equity, debt to equity ratio, annual revenue, market capitalization and percentage change in annual equity were statistically analyzed through correlation. The figures of non agro companies also were cross analyzed to strengthen the findings. Results show that none of the agro companies researched do not use any specific portfolio approach in investing but rather use their own strategic approaches agreed and approved by the management. Almost all companies show significant positive relationship between market capitalization and annual revenue. In concluding, theories like capital asset pricing model, markovitz approach and random walk theory only concern the assets where it is not practicable in agro businesses only to rely upon assets. In addition, research findings reveal the importance of consideration of market capitalization and annual revenue of the company in assuring right investment decision. The company confidential data and the representativeness of corporate financial figures limited the study. It is recommended to repeat the research for subsectors. It is worth to research for new optimization techniques for investment decision which covers different project aspects.
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Project management constraints and operationalisation dimensions of vehicle emission testing (VET) programme
(2015-06-24) Weerasooriya, RMRD; Devapriya, KAK
Project Management constraints and operationalisation dimensions of Vehicle Emission Testing (VET) program Urban air pollution was becoming an issue in Sri Lanka especially towards late 1990’s. It was evident that the transport sector was the largest contributor to the overall total emissions for all pollutants. Analysis of air quality data had suggested the ever increasing vehicle fleetas the major culprit. Poor vehicle maintenance, absence of a system to monitor, control and regulate vehicular emissions, and low quality fuels contributed towards increased emissions from vehicles.Therefore, government intervention was required to reverse the trend of deteriorating air quality and mitigate the accompanying adverse health effects caused by exposure to fine particles, lead and other vehicular emissions. With the roles, responsibilities and expertise dispersed within several organizations, to curb air pollution, in year 2001, created Air Resource Management Center (AirMAC): a multistakeholder organization as a strong partnership institution linking all stakeholder agencies. AirMAC initiated Vehicle Emission Testing (VET) to monitor and control level of emission generated by vehicles in Sri Lanka in 2008. The main sponsoring body of the VET programme is Ministry of Environment in Sri Lanka. This study was conducted to determine critical constraints to the effective implementation of VET programme in Sri Lanka, particularly from a project management perspective. Its strengths and weaknesses are analysed to propose ways and means to improve its effectiveness and efficiency in the long term. The key findings of this case study categorized under 3 main development areas. The policy measures area includes programme administration, and financial mechanism of VET Trust Fund and has identified several planning and executing issues. Stakeholders’ goals and rewards areas how clear communication gaps and problems with stakeholders’ participation. In the benchmarking and standardization aspects of the VET programme during the monitoring and controlling phases were found several issues arising due to creation of competition, weakness of data and software management, lack of a roadside vehicle emission testing programme, VET centre inspection programme, non-implementation of liquidated damages or penalties for breach of test procedureand so on. For the improvement of the VET programme the recommendations addressing the three important areas organizational changers, better project management practices and the enhance role of the sponsor of management could be followed as the management practices. Keywords: Air Pollution, AirMAC, Vehicle Emission Testing Programme, Project Management, Vehicle Inspection and Maintenance
item: Thesis-Full-text
The relationship between companies’ perforemances and financial structure in construction companies in sri lanka
Aluthwaththa, SM; Devapriya, KAK
Corporate finance is mainly concerned primarily three types of financial decisions which are investments, financing and dividend decisions. Financing decision which is capital structure decision is the fundamental one because it is directly affect to the profitability of a company. The successful selection and use of financial structure is one of the key elements of the firm’s financial strategy. The success of modern enterprises depends on the adoption and implementation of good management practices. According to the economic condition organizations should be change their corporate strategies to achieve the firms’ objective and goals. Therefore proper care and attention need to be given by organizations to determine the financial structure decision. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between financial structure and performances of construction companies in Sri Lanka. The study is limited for seven corporate construction organizations in Sri Lanka. The study is achieved through three objectives which are organizations’ motivation with different financial arrangements, organizations’ performance with financial decision making under different economic conditions and relationship between organizations’ and financial structures. The data has been analyzed by using descriptive statistics and correlation analysis. Capital structure has been indicated through debt to equity, debt to Assets and Long term Debt to Assets and organizations’ performance has been indicated through Return on equity, Return on assets, Net Profit margin and Earnings per share .These measures are in accordance with typical corporate Performa measures. Results show that Long term and Equity shares are the major sources of finance in Sri Lankan Construction Corporate organizations. Further it has found While during an economic down, the companies are arranging their capital structure with retained earnings, less equities and less debt, it is arranged with equity shares and long term loan in an economic growth. It shows that negative relationship between financial structure and organizations’ performance except the association between capital structure indicators and Net Profit margin. Further results show that Sri Lankan Corporate construction organizations are the geared institutions as average level. Therefore capital structure measures will be a sound basis for financial measures for the corporate management in construction in Sri Lanka.
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Road management practices in provincial road development in Sri Lanka
(2015-09-17) De Silva, MAIK; Devapriya, KAK
Recently the development of infrastructure has been identified as a key aspect that should be considered in the development of third world countries like Sri Lanka. It affects the economy of the country as well as the social development of people. In considering infrastructure, roads and transportation can be considered as the most important sector to be developed in Sri Lanka. As the substantial part of the population lives in rural areas and the occupations of most of them are based on agriculture, provincial roads are more useful to the rural communities than the main highways as these roads are required to transport their agricultural out puts to markets situated in urban areas. On the other hand without physical access rural communities cannot get the social benefits such as education, medical treatments, and so on as they have no access to town centres. Provincial Road Development Authority is responsible for the administration of provincial roads in each province. This research was entirely based on the road management practices of provincial roads in Sri Lanka. In this research first the issues and weaknesses in current road management practices have been identified. Thereafter the principal factors leading to these specific issues were analysed by doing case studies under the research objectives. The data was collected from four provincial road projects which were ongoing and completed rehabilitation projects using questionnaires, direct observations, archival records, and so on. This data was investigated under a case study framework and finally conclusions were drawn up. As per conclusions, a set of guidelines have been recommended for the improvement of current management practices of the provincial roads. It is expected that these guidelines would be much helpful to overcome the difficulties encountered in current management practices in provincial road development.
item: Conference-Abstract
Strategic alliances for the Sri Lankan construction industry - a study of best fit partners
Mohamed, S; Devapriya, KAK; Fasna, MFF
To be sustainable with the fast-moving business environment, currently most of the organisations use strategic alliance as a key strategy. This is indeed essential for the firms in the construction sector that operates in a high-risk and competitive business environment. Simply, strategic alliance is an agreement between the business entities with the purpose of achieving the unreachable benefits/advantages which cannot be attained when they are separate. Selecting the suitable partner for strategic alliance is the extremely important task in the formation of strategic alliances and have significant influence on the success of strategic alliance. However, by far selection of most suitable alliancing parties for the formation of strategic alliance in the construction sector is largely overlooked. Hence, this study is focused on identifying the top most suitable alliancing partners for the Sri Lankan construction projects. To collect required data, structured questionnaires were distributed amongst the key parties of the construction sector on the basis of their level knowledge on the concept of strategic alliance (i.e. engineering consultant, main-contractor, and subcontractor). Findings revealed that the alliancing between the main-contractor and sub-contractor would improve the performance of Sri Lankan construction industry and thus derived as the most suitable strategic alliancing partners.
item: Conference-Abstract
Strategic alliances for the Sri Lankan construction industry - a study of best fit partners
Mohamed, S; Devapriya, KAK; Fasna, MFF
To be sustainable with the fast-moving business environment, currently most of the organisations use strategic alliance as a key strategy. This is indeed essential for the firms in the construction sector that operates in a high-risk and competitive business environment. Simply, strategic alliance is an agreement between the business entities with the purpose of achieving the unreachable benefits/advantages which cannot be attained when they are separate. Selecting the suitable partner for strategic alliance is the extremely important task in the formation of strategic alliances and have significant influence on the success of strategic alliance. However, by far selection of most suitable alliancing parties for the formation of strategic alliance in the construction sector is largely overlooked. Hence, this study is focused on identifying the top most suitable alliancing partners for the Sri Lankan construction projects. To collect required data, structured questionnaires were distributed amongst the key parties of the construction sector on the basis of their level knowledge on the concept of strategic alliance (i.e. engineering consultant, main-contractor, and subcontractor). Findings revealed that the alliancing between the main-contractor and sub-contractor would improve the performance of Sri Lankan construction industry and thus derived as the most suitable strategic alliancing partners.
item: Thesis-Full-text
A Study on marketing and customer satisfaction in timber and furniture businesses in state owned enterprise
Manawadu, AC; Devapriya, KAK
The Thesis is based on the timber and furniture production of the State Own Enterprise (SOE). The research is conducted in the case study method, in which a data analysis is represented and a random feedback is obtained through a questionnaire presented to selected customers and showroom manager as well. Even the top management is also provided with the opportunity to express about their attitudes and the achievements in their strategic implementations. Concept of consumer based product development in the timber business is thoroughly discussed all over the research where it outlines the importance and strategies of creating a better customer relationship for furniture and timber product market. Moreover, it surveys about the commercial strategic plan of the SOE and how the strategic plan is implemented. The strengths, weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats which influence the SOE is also researched and discussed. Customer feedback on the timber products also has been collected through a random questionnaire basis which included almost all aspects regarding the timber production of SOE. The customer relationship and satisfaction for timber and timber products in the market were analysed through this questionnaire. Another questionnaire has also been conducted with sales officers of the furniture outlets to examine the consumer behaviour so far. Through this questionnaire it was able to collect information on the reasons for customers being interested on SOE products and the reasons for their disappointments as well. With the results obtained through data analysis are information collected, conclusions are made and further recommendations are present. It is concluded to study the concept of consumer based product development in timber business. Further, it is identified the importance of applying a suitable marketing strategy and a suitable commercial strategy for furniture production. Amongst all, creation of better customer relationship for timber product markets could be identifies as the utmost requirement. Further research is suggest, such that to discuss about the employee satisfaction and utilization of modern machinery in furniture production.