Browsing by Author "Rathnasinghe, A"

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item: Conference-Full-text
The impact of professionals’ knowledge on innovation adoption in the construction industry: A critical literature review
(Ceylon Institute of Builders - Sri Lanka, 2022-06-24) Weerapperuma, U; Jayasena, S; Rathnasinghe, A; Thurairajah, N; Sandanayake, YG; Waidyasekara, KGAS; Gunatilake, S
The construction industry is one of the leading economic sectors in any country yet is renowned for its reluctance to adopt novel innovations. Meanwhile, research has found that the decision of any industry on the adoption or rejection of innovations depends on its positive or negative perception, which is stipulated by industry professionals’ knowledge. Therefore, this research aims to disclose how the professionals’ knowledge affects successful innovation adoption specific to the construction industry. A qualitatively based extensive literature synthesis has been conducted concerning three concepts to provide a holistic view of innovation decisions. Namely, the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), Technology-Organisation-Environment framework (TOE), and Diffusion of Innovation theory (DOI). The findings revealed that the "existing knowledge" of professionals was a key factor in innovation decisions. Accordingly, five main perceived attributes (relative advantage, compatibility, complexity, trialability and observability) have been identified through Roger’s innovation-decision model, and decisively common measurement items have been documented under each perceived attribute that comprehensively endorses the "existing knowledge" of construction professionals. Furthermore, this contemporary study found that all the recognised measurement items extensively affect innovation-decision. In the absence of a pragmatic decision framework, this article provides a clear impression for both technology developers and their users/stakeholders on crucial elements of innovation adoption that have been concerned via decision makers' technological perception.
item: Article-Full-text
Lean integrated project delivery for construction procurement: The case of Sri Lanka
(MDPI, 2022) Hettiaarachchige, N; Rathnasinghe, A; Ranadewa, K; Thurairajah, N
The choice of proper procurement methods has an impact on the overall productivity and sustainability of construction projects. The current procurement methods have alerted the construction industry (CI) due to the exacerbating fragmentation among parties and the resulting low level of productivity. Therefore, introducing a new procurement system to eliminate the above challenges is imperative to the CI. Therefore, this research investigated the applicability of lean integrated project delivery (LIPD) as a construction procurement system and developed a framework for its successful implementation. A qualitative exploratory approach was adopted, informing an interpretivism stance. Accordingly, semi-structured interviews with 15 Sri Lankan (SL) CI experts were conducted to determine the applicability of the LIPD concept in a real-life CI context. Qualitative content analysis was used to analyse the collected data. This research identified the significance of LIPD compared to existing procurement methods, which may contribute to the long-term planning and management practices in the CI. However, the findings elicited several barriers that could hinder successful LIPD implementation. As a result, some of the strategies discovered include providing LIPD training and awareness, obtaining expert support, and encouraging professionals. This is the first study of its kind to reveal a LIPD framework in a developing country like SL without restricting itself to a specific construction type. Therefore, this study is expected to impact the global CI by paving the way for LIPD as a new procurement system to improve the performances of similar CIs in developing countries across the world.
item: Conference-Abstract
Towards long-term sustainable performance of post-disaster housing reconstruction : second life for temporary housing
(2021-07) Rathnasinghe, A; Sirimewan, D; Shandraseharan, A; Thurairajah, N; Thayaparan, M; Waidyasekara, KGAS
The pressing human needs caused due to post-disaster effects may force donors to provide a roof above the heads of the displaced communities than focusing on fulfilling the references of a ‘home,’ which is a step toward restoring a certain sense of stability embedded with social, cultural, economic, and other interactions. And several displaced communities around the world continue to live in their temporary housing on a long-term basis. Therefore, this study aimed at investigating methods to consider a second life for the post-disaster temporary housing which may ensure long-term sustainable performance. A comprehensive literature survey has been carried out in attaining the aim. Many studies have found that the rapid post-disaster housing re-construction strategies through universal working standards have become unsustainable and culturally unacceptable in the long term. Furthermore, in various instances, the real-life post-disaster temporary housing has been simply dismantled or abandoned due to the end of usage and cultural incompatibility, without giving any concern for future disasters. This could be minimised by transforming the donor initiated temporary housing into a permanent basis. To achieve this, scholars have identified the need of considering the socio-cultural and related physical needs through active involvement of affected communities. Therefore, to achieve prolonged use of temporary housing, the findings suggest that the social and cultural needs of communities and associated physical transformations need to be considered by the donors. The findings serve as a way forward to explore a transformational space that can accommodate social and physical transformations in post-disaster housing reconstruction.