Browsing by Author "Weerarathna, RS"

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item: Conference-Full-text
A Dividend or detriment? effect of WFH on work-life balance of software engineers. a structural equation modeling based empirical investigation carried out during covid-19
(Business Research Unit (BRU), 2022-12-01) Yasara, UPI; Ruwanpura, DN; Nambugoda, MWAMSPB; Jayasekara, LPM; Weerarathna, RS; Rathnayake, NM
Once the Covid-19 pandemic broke out, traditional workplaces were transformed into online workstations, forcing people to embrace the notion of Work From Home (WFH). This study focuses on the WFH ideas related to work-life balance as now formal work is done under the roof of the home, blurring the boundary between work and family. Thereby, the study unveils the impact of WFH on Sri Lankan software engineers' work-life balance. Further, considering the cultural background of Sri Lanka, the study examines the moderation effect of gender on the above relationship. Researchers collected 314 valid responses using a questionnaire circulated online for data gathering. The Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) technique was utilized to analyze the data using SmartPLS 3.3.9 software. Once testing the hypothesis empirically, the study results showed that WFH significantly affects work-life balance, but gender does not serve as a moderator. The study suggests that software engineers should focus more on exercising the best WFH practices with self-motivation to lead an equilibrium in work and life. Organizational procedures also seem to be essential in this setting in providing employees with a smooth and supportive WFH environment. This investigation is fruitful and offers unique insights for workers who WFH to establish a balance between work and life and eventually have a content workforce despite the Covid-19-driven hardships in Sri Lanka.
item: Article-Abstract
An Effective system to acoustically convey sign language
Sandanayake, TC; Lenagala, GJY; Liyanaarachchi, WLADVA; Atukorala, ADKR; Weerarathna, RS
Having 5% of the world’s population suffering from speaking disability, building up an effective communication between them and the ordinary community is essential. The people of the community of deaf use sign language as their communication method. In other words sign language is employed by the hearing-impaired to communicate with each other. There arc different sign languages used by different cultures and the communities across the globe. It is very important to have a mechanism for this special group to communicate and blend with the ordinary people specially in working day to day. These special groups of people are contributing much in the development of the economy and other social activities. Therefore, there is a need for a mechanism to bridge the communication gap between this special group and the ordinary community. This research study aims to develop an effective mechanism to acoustically convey sign language to the ordinary community using current technological advancements. The research study has identified the communication issues prevailing betw een the two parties and has developed an effective methodology to convey sign language used by Sri Lankan deaf community. The system has been designed in such a way that the sign or body gesture of the people with speaking disabilities arc captured and converted into voice in English which can be easily understood by ordinary people. This research work also can be extended to many sign languages used by different deaf communities around the world which will contribute to the enhancement of communication in the business
item: Conference-Full-text
Factors affecting success of women entrepreneurs in western province Sri Lanka
(Business Research Unit (BRU), 2022-12-01) Thilakarathne, GDVT; Fernando, WLR; Weerathunga, MLDJU; Sellapperumage, SD; Weerarathna, RS; Shamila, AKPP
Entrepreneurship has traditionally been male-dominated, but women's interest in business is growing in Sri Lanka, though their success remains marginal, raising questions about the factors that influence their business and entrepreneurial success. The study aims to provide insight into the success factors of women entrepreneurs in Sri Lanka. Several studies on the factors influencing entrepreneur success have been conducted, with fewer studies on the factors influencing the success of women entrepreneurs in Sri Lanka. Hence, experts are conducting studies to determine these factors. This study focuses on the significance of three specific variables in contributing to the success of women entrepreneurs: behavioural, cultural, and technological. A survey technique was utilized with data from 375 women entrepreneurs in Western Province to develop a thorough profile, using the convenience sampling method to determine the sample size. This study employed quantitative methods to generate empirical results and substantiations, addressing the research questions. The gathered data were subjected to correlation analysis and descriptive statistics using SPSS. According to the results, all independent variables have a positive correlation with the dependent variable. In contrast, technological elements have a weak positive association with the success of women entrepreneurs. Behavioral and cultural factors have a significant and positive relationship with the success of women entrepreneurs. The study's conclusions benefit academics and decision-makers in both public and private sectors who desire to pursue careers as female entrepreneurs to overcome challenges and progress.
item: Conference-Full-text
Factors affecting the level of stress among undergraduates in Sri Lanka with special reference to covid-19
(Business Research Unit (BRU), 2021-12-03) Madhusanka, AKP; Jayasuriya, NU; Ravishanka, MKU; Pothupitiya, SN; Weerarathna, RS; Dunuwila, VR
To combat the rapid spread of COVID-19 infections universities and higher educational institutes in Sri Lanka had to suspend all on campus activities and had to tranfer into online learning. This resulted in a swift change in undergraduates’ life style and they had to face many new challenges in their academics which created severe mental pressure. Therefore, the objective of the research is ‘to assess the factors influencing the level of stress among undergraduates in Sri Lanka’. The study looks into this mental pressure in terms of the stress levels of undergraduates which is considered to be the dependent variable whereas their online learning experience and university workload are the independent variables. The study takes a quantitative research approach as its primary data is collected through an online questionnaire created from Google Forms and answered by 384 undergraduates. The questionnaire provided data on the online experience and university workload variables and it included the DASS-21 scale (Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale) which measured the stress level of the undergraduates. Descriptive statistics was conducted on the data through the Microsoft Excel. Based on the data analysis, it was found that the stress levels of undergraduates were; 3% normal, 20% mild, 36% moderate, 21% severe and 20% extremely severe. Therefore, it could be said that 41% of undergraduates faced high stress levels that were beyond what is regular and it negatively affected to the way how they could face challenges and carry out their day to day lives. It should be noted that undergraduates appeared to have much higher stress levels as a result of the pandemic.
item: Conference-Full-text
Factors that impact the selection of bio science stream in the G.C.E advanced level in the western province, Sri Lanka
(Business Research Unit (BRU), 2022-12-01) Weerarathna, RS; Rathnayake, NM; Subendran, G; Sivagnanasothy, E; Naguleswaran, L; Rathnayaka, R
The choice of stream in upper secondary education is a turning point for every student for a successful career in the future. The education system in Sri Lanka has five streams—Biological Science, Physical Science, Commerce, Arts, and Technology—and the Biological Science stream is important in national development. The students who select the Biological Science stream in upper secondary education are influenced by several factors, showing a declining trend in Western Province, Sri Lanka. Accordingly, this research aims to identify the factors affecting the selection of the Biological Science stream in G.C.E Advanced Level (G.C.E A/L) in the said region and to examine the impact of those factors. The study identified self-efficacy, career opportunities, and normative social influence as the factors impacting the selection of the Biological Science stream. Data for this study were collected using a mixed method: Primary data was collected using structured interviews and a questionnaire survey. Twenty students were interviewed using convenience sampling, and a questionnaire survey was conducted on a sample of 370 students using a simple random sampling technique. Data were analysed using thematic and multiple regression analysis. According to the regression model, the study recognized that career opportunities and self-efficacy are the most significant factors which impact the selection of the Biological Science stream. The findings suggest improving the quality of the Biological Science curriculum in the G.C.E A/L examination and encouraging students to continue their studies in the Biological Science field, thereby further contributing to national development. This research provides information to stakeholders such as students, parents, educators, and the government for making different policy decisions.
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The Relationship between spiritual intelligence and job satisfaction of it professionals with special reference to it companies in Sri Lanka
(Business Research Unit (BRU), 2022-12-01) Wickramasinghe, KGTT; Perera, LYN; Priyamantha, KK; Samaraweera, SAVT; Weerarathna, RS; Pathirana, UPGY
This paper focuses on identifying the relationship between spiritual intelligence and job satisfaction of IT professionals in Sri Lanka. The growing realization factor of job satisfaction as an ever-growing concern in contemporary organizations and the limited number of studies on the effect of spiritual intelligence on job satisfaction in both local and international IT contexts reveals the prominence of this research. Accordingly, a cross-sectional study was carried out among 383 IT professionals in Sri Lanka, considering spiritual intelligence as the independent variable and job satisfaction as the dependent variable. Primary data was collected via a self-administered structured standard questionnaire developed as a Google form and was analysed using SPSS. The results showed that job satisfaction and spiritual intelligence have a linear relationship demonstrating a positive correlation in the regression model. The findings have important policy implications for IT company employers who want to improve the spiritual intelligence of their workers and create a satisfied workforce. These findings are especially significant for IT company employees who should pay close attention to the substance of spiritual intelligence and strategies to develop it so they may have a fulfilling career that promotes their mental health and happiness.
item: Conference-Full-text
A Study on regaining ABC authority after trade union activities
(Business Research Unit (BRU), 2021-11-03) Illeperuma, KAHKI; Gunarathna, HVNP; Neelawala, PKNGKUP; Didulanga, KTS; Weerarathna, RS; Jayasinghe, SJANS
Trade Union is any group or combination of employees, whether temporary or permanent, having one or more goals that can have a positive or negative effect on organizational efficiency. In ABC Authority, more than 60 Trade Unions were actively involved. Since 2016, six strikes and picketing cases were reported among ABC Authority. The major incident was, that in 2020 ABC Authority East Terminal was to be sold to a foreign Indian company. The purpose of this study was to identify how ABC Authority was regained after trade union activities. The study adopted a qualitative method, conducted semi-structured interview, using thematic analysis and NVIVO software, responded by eight Managers of separate division in ABC authority. The semi-structured interview findings concluded that ABC Authority is positively regained after trade union activities and ABC Authority has highly progressed from trade union activities. This research indicated various trade unions in ABC Authority and there were reasons to conduct the trade union activities in the authority. The semi-structured interview findings conclude that ABC Authority has positively regained after trade union activities and ABC Authority has highly progressed from trade union activities. The respondents also have stated that ABC Authority has made huge progress as a result of trade union activities. The trade union has consistently advocated for the ABC Authority's best interests. The rapid growth of the ABC Authority will be facilitated by several trade union activities. The significance of the study is to look at how ABC Authority regained after trade union activities. Given the numerous roles that unions play in policing their employers in the public sector, this research was absolutely necessary.