Browsing by Author "Gunasekara, KA"

Now showing 1 - 4 of 4

item: Conference-Full-text
Management of social sustainability and quality aspects of rural road construction in Sri Lanka
(Ceylon Institute of Builders - Sri Lanka, 2023-07-21) Nissanka, LA; Gunasekara, KA
Though the rural roads are the final link of the transportation system, they provide the most critical connection between the city and the rural community. Further, the quality of rural roads is a significant factor to be maintained. On the other hand, maintaining quality has both positive and negative impact on social sustainability, which has been identified as one pillar of sustainability. Apart from these facts, there is a lack of research studies regarding the social sustainability and quality of rural roads at the construction stage. Although the term “social” was introduced into sustainability lately, quality is an intangible aspect. Therefore, this research was conducted to address the research gap in managing the effects of the quality of rural road construction on social sustainability. Data for the research was collected through a literature review, semi-structured interviews with conducting among fifteen selected relevant professionals of the project and an industrial document review from the documents maintained by the contractor. The research attempts to show what effects can be identified and the strategies that can be followed to overcome those effects. For that, ten social sustainability factors and fifteen quality aspects of the construction phase has taken. According to the geographical condition of the selected project area, the number of effects related to each social sustainability factor was different. Further, it was found that few quality aspects impact multiple social sustainability factors. The findings of this research prove that both accessibility and safety-related effects have been encountered critically while achieving the selected quality aspects of the rural roads during the construction stage.
item: Conference-Full-text
Overcoming the challenges of sustainable development in Sri Lanka using lean construction principles
Wijerathne, MDIR; Gunasekara, KA; Perera, BAKS
Sustainability is gaining popularity in the construction industry because of the growing concern that the industry has on the serious negative impacts of construction activities on the environment. To achieve sustainable development through environmentally friendly practices, such as green building practices, construction waste management would be essential. However, the new construction philosophy lean, can be used to overcome the environmental challenges of sustainable development. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate how the challenges of sustainable development could be overcome in Sri Lanka using the principles of lean construction. The study used a qualitative approach consisting of a literature review and 20 expert interviews. Interview findings were analyzed manually using content analysis. Specifying value and identifying the value stream were found to be the most suitable lean principles that can overcome the challenges of sustainable development. The research findings also reveal that there is an urgent requirement to practice lean principles in the construction industry in Sri Lanka.
item: Conference-Full-text
Stressors of quantity surveyors working on-site: Female vs male
(Ceylon Institute of Builders - Sri Lanka, 2022-06-24) Gunasekara, KA; Perera, BAKS; Sandanayake, YG; Waidyasekara, KGAS; Gunatilake, S
The World Health Organization has identified stress, which can cause a devastating effect on the emotional and physical wellbeing of a person, as the health epidemic of the 21st century. Occupational stress is a severe problem among male and female professionals. This study aimed to compare the significant stressors of male Quantity Surveyors (QSs) working on-site with their female counterparts. A mixed approach consisting of a series of interviews and a questionnaire survey was adopted to collect the data required for the study. Purposive sampling was used to select the interviewees and questionnaire survey participants from among the QSs working on-site for contractors. Heavy workload/overtime/inflexible work was identified as the most significant stressor of both male and female QSs. Heavy domestic responsibilities and inadequate earned income were the second most significant stressor of female and male QSs, respectively. Shortcomings of the tendering process (document discrepancies, under-priced quotations) were the third most significant stressor for male and female QSs, though not mentioned in the literature. The study findings revealed that the stressors affecting male and female QSs working on-site must be considered separately
item: Conference-Full-text
Symptoms of occupational stress in construction professionals: a systematic literature review
(Department of Building Economics, 2024) Gunasekara, KA; Perera, BAKS; Ranadewa, KATO; Sandanayake, YG; Waidyasekara, KGAS; Ranadewa, KATO; Chandanie, H
Construction professionals are particularly vulnerable to stress due to the demanding and high-risk nature of their work. However, they often remain unaware of their elevated stress levels, which can lead to negative consequences for both their personal well-being and overall job performance. Despite the significance, there has been limited research on stress among construction professionals. This study aims to conduct a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) to identify stress symptoms among construction professionals. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) method filtered the search from 216 articles to 22. The studies were screened based on inclusion criteria, and relevant data were categorised into psychological, behavioural, and physical/physiological symptoms. The analysis identified 41 psychological symptoms (such as anxiety, depression, and irritability), 44 individual behavioural symptoms (including changes in eating and sleeping patterns and increased substance use), nine organisational behavioural symptoms (such as absenteeism and high turnover rates), and 20 physical/physiological symptoms (including headaches, muscle tension, and fatigue). The findings highlight the extensive impact of stress on construction professionals' mental, emotional, and physical health. The paper contributes to the existing body of knowledge by categorising stress symptoms and emphasising the need for holistic stress management strategies. It offers practical insights for employers, policymakers, and healthcare providers to develop targeted interventions to enhance the well-being and productivity of construction professionals. The findings also provide a foundation for future research to explore the long-term effects of stress and evaluate the efficacy of interventions in this high-risk population.