Browsing by Author "Ekanayake, BJ"

Now showing 1 - 11 of 11

item: SRC-Report
Application of value engineering to building refurbishment projects
(2017) Ekanayake, BJ; Sandanayake, YG; Ramachandra, T
Refurbishment projects are characterised with uncertainty and complexity that result in subvert of value for money. In this context, value management (VM) is endorsed as an approach to optimise value for money of construction projects. Enhancing VM application in refurbishment projects seems less, even though employing VM application in new building projects continues. This research developed a framework to enhance VM application in hotel refurbishment projects in Sri Lanka, since refurbishment projects that have employed VM are comparatively high in hotel sector. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews with 18 participants, documents review and observations. The manual and code-based content analysis was used for data analysing. The study revealed that VM is employed in an ad-hoc manner, primarily as a cost reduction exercise. The VM workshops adopted for the case studies were derivatives of the standard SAVE 40-hour job plan and contractors' change proposal. However, this study proved that the ad-hoc application of VM could reduce the project cost on average by 6.81%. Nevertheless, the ad-hoc VM studies contributed to time overruns of 1 to 3 months. Absence of evidence of quantifying the impacts of the other value for money attributes; quality, guest satisfaction and achievement of sustainability was noteworthy. The two topmost challenges to implement VM in refurbishment projects were the inadequate awareness of the client about the significance of VM and insufficient time to conduct the VM study while the project is ongoing. The current study introduced a framework for enhancing VM application in hotel refurbishment projects in Sri Lanka by incorporating strategies on raising awareness, training and development on VM, choosing the appropriate timeframe to apply VM, choosing the appropriate composition for the VM team, choosing the appropriate VM job plan and enabling legal provisions and assistance from regulatory bodies.
item: Conference-Full-text
Bridging the theory-practice gap in value management in Sri Lankan construction industry
Mahinkanda, MMMP; Sandanayake, YG; Ekanayake, BJ
Construction process is one of the most complex and dynamic procedures. Therefore, it is vital to use resources efficiently and effectively. Considering this requirement of any construction project, creating value for money is becoming important. It contributes to the economic, social and environmental aspects of a country. The concept of value is based on the relationship between satisfying needs, expectations and the resources required to achieve them. Value Management (VM) is recognised as a suitable approach to ensure value for money in construction projects. Although, VM concept is significantly used in developed countries, its applications do not seem to be well established in the construction industry in most of the developing countries including Sri Lanka. This is mainly due to lack of understanding of VM concept. Hence, this study aims to investigate how to bridge the theory-practice gap in VM in Sri Lankan construction industry, through seven case studies. Case study data collection was based on interviews, document review and observations and analysed using content analysis. The research findings revealed that these projects employed different kinds of VM methodologies derived from standard VM methodologies with the focus of various VM objectives. The study further identified number of reasons for theory-practice gap in VM such as lack of a formal guideline and less knowledge on VM, which dilute successful VM implementation. The experts further proposed train in-house VM facilitators, proper project planning, motivate investors, train Sri Lankan professionals by foreign experts and govern VM knowledge sharing as strategies to bridge the gap in order to deliver best value for client’s money.
item: Conference-Full-text
Challenges in hotel building refurbishment projects in Sri Lanka
(Ceylon Institute of Builders, 2018-06) Ekanayake, BJ; Sandanayake, YG; Ramachandra, T; Sandanayake, YG; Gunatilake, S; Waidyasekara, KGAS
Amongst the contemporary issues encountered by the buildings, deterioration and obsolescence are in the forefront. The refurbishment has been acknowledged as an avenue to deliver profound solutions to overcome these issues by upgrading, altering, extending, renovating and improving facilities and prolonging building lifespan. Nevertheless, refurbishment projects are uncertain and sophisticated with many challenges. Refurbishment projects in Sri Lanka are dominated in hotel buildings compared to other types of buildings because hotel buildings needed to be upgraded and modified frequently to maintain the tourist attraction intact. Nevertheless, the challenges in these projects remain unprecedented due to lack of in depth investigation. This research therefore, set out to explore the challenges in hotel building refurbishment projects in Sri Lanka. A qualitative approach was applied by focusing on three recently completed hotel building refurbishment projects. Subsequently, data collected through unstructured interviews with the participants involved in the refurbishment projects, document reviewing and observations were analysed using content analysis. The findings revealed topmost challenges as the budget overruns due to superficial designs and construction activities, time overruns due to refining designs to cater unanticipated building conditions, limitations to introduce changes to the existing building structures and the interruptions to building occupants due to simultaneous operations. The budget overruns for Cases A, B and C were reported as 13.64%, 1.38% and 0.95% respectively. The time overruns were calculated as 55.56%, 25% and 50% respectively. These challenges adversely affected in achieving value for money in terms of cost, time, quality, customer satisfaction and sustainability.
item: Conference-Full-text
Challenges in hotel building refurbishment projects in Sri Lanka
(Ceylon Institute of Builders, 2018-06) Ekanayake, BJ; Sandanayake, YG; Ramachandra, T; Sandanayake, YG; Gunatilake, S; Waidyasekara, KGAS
Amongst the contemporary issues encountered by the buildings, deterioration and obsolescence are in the forefront. The refurbishment has been acknowledged as an avenue to deliver profound solutions to overcome these issues by upgrading, altering, extending, renovating and improving facilities and prolonging building lifespan. Nevertheless, refurbishment projects are uncertain and sophisticated with many challenges. Refurbishment projects in Sri Lanka are dominated in hotel buildings compared to other types of buildings because hotel buildings needed to be upgraded and modified frequently to maintain the tourist attraction intact. Nevertheless, the challenges in these projects remain unprecedented due to lack of in depth investigation. This research therefore, set out to explore the challenges in hotel building refurbishment projects in Sri Lanka. A qualitative approach was applied by focusing on three recently completed hotel building refurbishment projects. Subsequently, data collected through unstructured interviews with the participants involved in the refurbishment projects, document reviewing and observations were analysed using content analysis. The findings revealed topmost challenges as the budget overruns due to superficial designs and construction activities, time overruns due to refining designs to cater unanticipated building conditions, limitations to introduce changes to the existing building structures and the interruptions to building occupants due to simultaneous operations. The budget overruns for Cases A, B and C were reported as 13.64%, 1.38% and 0.95% respectively. The time overruns were calculated as 55.56%, 25% and 50% respectively. These challenges adversely affected in achieving value for money in terms of cost, time, quality, customer satisfaction and sustainability.
item: Article-Full-text
Drivers And Barriers Of Using Intrenet Of Things For Successful Lean Implementation In Construction Projects In Sri Lanka
(Faculty of Architecture University of Moratuwa, 2020-11) Sandagomika, NMGH; Sandanayake, YG; Ekanayake, BJ
With the rising impact of technological advancements within all sectors, there is an increase in interest among construction industry practitioners to integrate novel technologies collaborated with concepts. Lean is one such concept, which has received growing attention of construction companies. However, past researchers have identified many barriers for successful lean implementation in global construction context, where, technological approaches seem to be a success factor. Many experts have identified Internet of Things (IoT) as an enabler for the lean implementation in construction, which is undoubtedly lacking in the Sri Lankan context. Hence, this paper aims to investigate the drivers and barriers for using IoT for successful lean implementation in Sri Lankan construction industry. Seven semi structured interviews with experts in IoT and lean construction were conducted under the qualitative approach for data collection to achieve the research aim. Findings highlighted increased product and process quality; reduced unnecessary delays in construction process; reduced unnecessary costs; enhanced inventory management system; and increased site safety as key drivers, whereas, expensive devises and high cost of implementation; resistance to change; lack of internet coverage, IT facilities and compatibility issues; difficulties to adapt due to lack of knowledge and skills; security and privacy issues; and lack of innovative culture were identified as key barriers of using IoT for successful lean implementation in Sri Lankan construction industry. Findings revealed the several similarities in drivers and barriers of using IoT for lean construction implementation both in global and Sri Lankan context.
item: Conference-Full-text
Ecological footprint to evaluate environmental sustainability of apparel sector built environments: the Sri Lankan perspective
(Ceylon Institute of Builders, 2017-06) Ekanayake, BJ; Sandanayake, YG; Sandanayake, YG; Ramachandra, T; Gunatilake, S
Accelerated human pressure on earth has necessitated adopting environmental footprints to evaluate environmental sustainability. Ecological Footprint (EF), Carbon Footprint (CF) and Water Footprint (WF) are common environmental footprints used to evaluate environmental sustainability globally. Although there is a growing interest for calculating CF and WF, there is a lack of application of EF for environmental sustainability evaluation in Sri Lankan apparel sector. Therefore, this research investigates the applicability of EF to evaluate environmental sustainability in apparel sector built environments in Sri Lanka. Research scope was limited to evaluate environmental impacts of energy consumption, water utilisation and waste generation in apparel sector built environments. A qualitative research approach was followed to pursue the research aim. A comprehensive literature review was conducted to review the concept of EF and the relationship of EF with CF and WF. Subsequently, three apparel sector factories were investigated in detail to identify the nature of EF application in Sri Lanka and collected data was subjected to content analysis. Findings revealed that, even though EF is not currently fully calculated, it is partially evaluated through quantification of CF and Grey WF. It was also revealed that EF can be practiced to evaluate environmental sustainability in apparel sector built environments in Sri Lanka. Difficulty to understand the underlying assumptions of EF of water utilisation and EF of waste generation was identified as the main barrier. Providing training and awareness on the application of EF, raising awareness on calculating EF of water utilisation and EF of waste generation are some of the strategies to overcome barriers.
item: Article-Full-text
Implementation of circular economy principles during pre-construction stage: the case of Sri Lanka
(Emerald Publishing Limited, 2021) Wijewansha, AS; Tennakoon, GA; Waidyasekara, KGAS; Ekanayake, BJ
Purpose – Despite the positive impacts of the construction sector on enhancing economic growth and ensuring societal well-being, its negative impacts on the environment from unsustainable resource consumption levels, emission of greenhouse gases (GHGs) and waste generation is monumental. Circular economy (CE) concept is identified globally as an avenue to address problems regarding adverse impacts of construction on the environment. This paper presents the principles of CE as an avenue for enhancing environmental sustainability during the pre-construction stage within Sri Lankan construction projects. Design/methodology/approach – This research was approached through a qualitative research method. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with subject matter experts. The number of experts were limited due to lack of experts with knowledge on the subject area in Sri Lanka. Data were analysed using content analysis. Findings – Findings revealed a range of activities under each R principle of CE, that is, reduce, reuse, recycle, redesign, reclassification and renewability that could be implemented during the pre-construction stage, thereby providing a guide for construction professionals in implementing CE at the pre-construction stage. The need to expand knowledge on CE concepts within the Sri Lankan construction sector was recognized. Originality/value – This study provides a qualitative in-depth perspective on how 6R principles of CE could be integrated to a construction project during the pre-construction stage. By adopting the proposed activities under CE principles, construction professionals can enhance the environmental sustainability of construction projects.
item: Conference-Full-text
An Investigation on corporate social responsibility of construction organisations in disaster in Sri Lanka
(2020-11-06) Nanayakkara, NB; Sandanayake, TG; Ekanayake, BJ
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is a concept, which is broadly determined as ensuring the efficacy of the organisation in integrating social and environmental considerations into organisational operations. In Sri Lankan context, a great enthusiasm can be seen among organisations to engage in CSR initiatives. Having considered the importance and impact, the study aims to investigate the importance of CSR initiatives by construction organisations in disasters in Sri Lanka. Thus, a mixed method research approach was followed as the methodology of this study. Findings are based on semi-structured interviews held with construction industry professionals. Findings of this study revealed that the implementation of CSR initiatives is more important during a disaster situation in the aspects of both affected party and aiding party. Moreover, construction organisations implement CSR during disaster situations by considering it as a mandatory responsibility of an organisation. Further, most of the construction organisations engage in CSR implementation during natural disaster situations. In practice all the construction organisations tend to engage in reactive initiatives. More importantly, it is revealed that both the organisational work force and society are benefitted through CSR implementation in disaster situations.
item: Article-Full-text
Revisiting the role of professionals in designing buildings with low embodied and operational energy
(Emerald Publishing Limited, 2020) Tennakoon, GA; Waidyasekara, A; Ekanayake, BJ
Purpose Many studies have focused on embodied energy (EE) and operational energy (OE), but a shortage of studies on decision making, which involves several decision makers whose decisions can affect the energy performance of buildings, is evident. From the stages of the project life cycle, the design stage is identified as the ideal stage for integrating energy efficiency into buildings. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to revisit the role of professionals in designing energy-conscious buildings with low EE and OE. Design/methodology/approach This study administered a qualitative approach. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews only with 12 experts, due to the lack of expertise in the subject matter. The data were analyzed using manual content analysis. Findings The outcomes revealed the necessity to revisit the role of construction professionals in terms of adopting energy-efficient building design concepts from the project outset. The roles of the key professional groups (i.e. architects, structural engineers, services engineers and quantity surveyors) were identified through this research. Common issues in designing energy-efficient buildings and the means of addressing such problems were outlined. Originality/value This study contributes to the knowledge by revisiting the roles of construction professionals and proposing how they could leverage their strengths to play the important role and contribute collectively to design buildings with both low OE and EE.
item: Conference-Full-text
Systematic application of green cleaning in Sri Lankan healthcare sector
(Department of Architecture, University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka, 2019-11-14) Rathnasiri, AKNE; Sridarran, P; Ekanayake, BJ; Dayaratne, R
Extensive use of complex cleaning chemicals and disinfectants in the healthcare industry has raised concern over the effectiveness of conventional cleaning in creating a safe and healthy environment. The increasing rate of adverse respiratory and dermatological illnesses among healthcare custodians has emerged the need for effective yet safer cleaning alternatives. Green cleaning was introduced in the 1980s as a substitution for conventional cleaning. Green cleaning denotes methods and products of cleaning, which incorporated environmental friendly ingredients designed to preserve human health and environmental quality. Even though there is rapid adoption of green cleaning in developed countries, developing countries seem to fall behind in shifting to green cleaning. However, ad hoc green cleaning practices are incorporating in the Sri Lankan healthcare sector. This research focuses on investigating the systematic application of green cleaning in the Sri Lankan healthcare sector. A qualitative research approach has been undertaken to pursue the research aim. A comprehensive literature synthesis was carried out to review the green cleaning concept. Expert interviews were conducted among cleaning related personals of both private and government healthcare facilities and the collected data was analysed through content analysis techniques. It was affirmed that green cleaning ad hoc practices are higher compared to the systematic practices. This reveals the possibility of integrating green cleaning into Sri Lankan healthcare sector. However, the need for a collaborative effort from the green cleaning stakeholders was proven. Green cleaning strategies encompassing educational, management, government and market conditions are identified. Improving the awareness, top management commitment, government policies and regulations, improved marketing and custodian's positive attitudes are some identified strategies that could be applied to overcome the barriers.
item: Conference-Full-text
Total quality management implementation in Sri Lankan construction industry
(IEEE, 2018-05) Wickramarachchi, HR; Sandanayake, YG; Ekanayake, BJ; Chathuranga, D
Achieving quality in construction projects is vital for construction organisations. Small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) require vigorous quality achieving techniques to compete with large scale competitors. Therefore, this study investigated the total quality management (TQM) implementation in construction SMEs in Sri Lanka. The study adopted a mixed approach. Data collection was done through preliminary interviews and a questionnaire survey among professionals of construction SMEs. Quantitative data were analysed using respondent average score method and qualitative data were analysed using content analysis. The study revealed that although TQM practices are employed by the SME contractors, their understanding about TQM is low. The highest implemented TQM practice is the “Continual review and comparison of work progress and cash flow with data related to actual progress”, while “Conducting value engineering workshops with client at project commencement” is the least implemented. TQM practices of “Employees feel the commitment of top management towards project and process quality improvement” and “Ensuring prompt communication of design changes to the project team and other relevant parties during the construction process” are the most contributor to project success. “Employees are given with responsibility and authority to perform without monitoring and inspections”, is the least contributor to project success.