R4TLI - 2023

Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://192.248.9.226/handle/123/21356

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Now showing 1 - 20 of 72

item: Conference-Full-text
Research for Transport and Logistics Industry Proceedings of the 8th International Conference (Pre Text)
(Sri Lanka Society of Transport and Logistics, 2023-08-26) Gunaruwan, TL
item: Conference-Full-text
Transparency and authenticity of mango supply chain
(Sri Lanka Society of Transport and Logistics, 2023-08-26) Madumalka, HWK; Sandamith, WM; De Silva, DAM; Gunaruwan, TL
The mango industry faces challenges due to the perishability of fruits, seasonality, and high demand in processing and fresh fruit markets. To ensure product authenticity, tracing methods are crucial. This study examines the existing traceability system and authenticity while identifying logistics gaps in the mango supply chain. Research focused to develop a block chain-based method to enhance quality, safety authenticity and returns of mango value chain. Primary data collection comprised of environmental scanning, institutional analysis, and participatory approaches. 74 respondents mango value chain included into the sample. Qualitative tools and descriptive statistics were utilized to assess traceability. Results showed that export-oriented mango value chains, especially TJC mangoes, maintained safety, quality standards, and traceability. However, fresh mangoes for local markets and processing lacked similar measures. Poor postharvest management and contamination issues, notably with ripening agents, significantly impacted the safety and quality of the fruits. Exporters demonstrated tracing capabilities up to the collection agency level using stickers with quality information. Common logistics issues included limited awareness among value chain actors, poor communication between nodes, and information asymmetry were key barriers. This study underscores the need to improve traceability, safety, and quality standards in the mango supply chain. Implementing block chain technology could address these challenges and enhance efficiency, transparency, and trust throughout the industry, benefiting all stakeholders.
item: Conference-Full-text
Blockchain-based solution for the process of obtaining and maintaining of the rainforest alliance certification in the Sri Lankan tea supply chain
(Sri Lanka Society of Transport and Logistics, 2023-08-26) Wickramaarachchi, K; Thibbotuwawa, A; Fernando, M; Gunaruwan, TL
The tea industry in Sri Lanka holds a significant position in the global market, as it is the fourth largest tea producer worldwide, and renowned for its premium brand name, “Ceylon Tea.” However, despite the positive economic impacts, the industry encounters several sustainable challenges, such as inadequate agricultural practices, labour wage disparities, deforestation, and soil erosion, among others. This study aims to propose a blockchain-based framework to address these sustainability issues and streamline the process of obtaining and maintaining the Rainforest Alliance certification in the Sri Lankan tea supply chain. The Rainforest Alliance is a voluntary certification program that is widely adopted in the tea industry as a mark of sustainability.
item: Conference-Full-text
A regional spatial planning farmwork to optimize paddy supply chain management in north central province, Sri Lanka
(Sri Lanka Society of Transport and Logistics, 2023-08-26) Jayarathna, N; Jayasinghe, A; Gunaruwan, TL
This research paper proposes a regional spatial planning framework based on the agropolitan concept to optimize the existing paddy supply chain in the North Central Province of Sri Lanka. The study uses primary and secondary data sources, root cause analysis, and geographic information systems to explore the paddy supply chain’s spatial dimension and identify issues. A regional spatial plan is proposed that assigns agro community centers and smart warehouses per river basin, identifies village centers, and assigns the nearest railway stations as logistic centers. The proposed framework aims to address issues such as inadequate storage facilities, drying problems, weak information flow, oligopoly market control, and lack of value addition to paddy products. The proposed framework has the potential to improve the efficiency of the paddy supply chain in the North Central Province of Sri Lanka. By addressing the challenges hindering the smooth flow of the supply chain and improving the value addition to paddy products, the framework can benefit the farmers, consumers, and the economy as a whole. The framework also aligns with the agropolitan concept, which promotes sustainable development by balancing the rural and urban sectors’ economic and social needs.
item: Conference-Full-text
Factors on implementing sustainable practices in the food retail sector: case study from Sri Lanka
(Sri Lanka Society of Transport and Logistics, 2023-08-26) Gunaruwan, TL
Sustainability is becoming more pressing for today’s whole world. This study aims to explore the factors affecting the implementation of sustainable practices in the Sri Lankan food retail sector, by identifying the practices that can be implemented, and the factors influencing the implementation of sustainability practices. A literature review identified such practices and the factors in the global context, which were then confirmed for the Sri Lankan context by industry experts. Next, a questionnaire survey was carried out to collect empirical data from the food retailers, which were then analyzed using PLS-SEM (Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling). Sustainable practices were identified under three categories: Facilities and Utilities, Internal Operations, and Market Activities, and the influencing factors were identified under five categories: Organization and Management, Economy, Regulatory, Society, and Industry and Market. The findings emphasize the need to increase the top management’s awareness of the various sustainable solutions, their benefits, and available financing schemes, staff training programs to enhance their knowledge, skills, and attitudes regarding sustainability, having a good functional integration in the firm, and introducing financing schemes to help companies in funding sustainable practices.
item: Conference-Full-text
Inventory decisions under stochastic demand scenario with high inflation rate-ml approach
(Sri Lanka Society of Transport and Logistics, 2023-08-26) Siriwardena, V; Kosgoda, D; Perera, HN; Gunaruwan, TL
Hyperinflation is a situation where prices increase at an average monthly rate of 50% or more, leading to a rapid loss of the currency’s value and causing severe economic problems. Inventory decisions under hyperinflation are crucial due to the high level of uncertainty and the rapid increase in prices can lead to significant losses if inventory is not properly managed. We examine the effects of hyperinflation on inventories of Biscuits and develop an ML model to forecast optimal order quantities of Biscuit products, with the intention of lowering inventory holding costs and inventory deterioration. Data from a retail company in Sri Lanka during the hyperinflation period of 2022 have been used to develop the ML model to predict customer demand. Six ML techniques were utilized to achieve the research objectives. Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE) and R-squared metrics are employed to choose the best model. We find that Random Forest is the most appropriate ML model to forecast optimal order quantities during a hyperinflation situation. The outcomes of our study will aid professionals working in the Biscuit industry to effectively handle inventory management during periods of hyperinflation. Our ML model can serve as a fundamental tool for predicting inventory levels during hyperinflation, which can be used as a starting point for further analysis.
item: Conference-Full-text
Good teas cannot be produced from badly handled leaf: role of transport and logistics on green leaf supply chain
(Sri Lanka Society of Transport and Logistics, 2023-08-26) Jayasinghe, MAEK; De Silva, DAM; Gunaruwan, TL
The final quality of tea depends basically on the chemical composition of raw tea leaves. Different types of chemical reactions occur in the fresh leaves after harvesting, such as sugar compounds are decomposed with the respiration process and release a high amount of heat and leading to degrade. This study focused to identify quantity and quality loss of green leaf supply chain, find out socio – economic issues of not following standard operating procedures recommended (SOPs) and good practices, lessons learnt from field. This study is based on primary data collected through structured questionnaires, in-depth interviews with key supply chain actors, non-participatory observations of tea lands, collecting centers, various marketplaces, processing factories, export processing firms and institutions of the enabling environment of the agricultural value and supply chains in Badulla, Kandy, Matale, Galle, Matara and Rathnapura districts. The results revealed that the quantity and quality losses of green leaf supply may occur from plucking, bagging, collecting, transportation, bad weather and type of plucker (trained or untrained). During the rush cropping periods post-harvest losses may increase due to the inadequate labor for plucking and operations, Inadequate leaf bags for managing large tea leaf volumes, and inadequate leaf transport facilities and it leads to increase the quality and quantity losses of green leaf supply chain. Inadequate labor is a significant issue in the tea sector, and the failure to follow recommended SOPs results in low-quality tea leaves. Consequently, this leads to marketability issues, low wages, health and safety problems, inadequate sanitation, and poverty etc. This study recommends to maintain good communication and productive relationships among all parties of the supply chain, supplying better technology, value-adding through product upgrading to minimize the economic losses.
item: Conference-Full-text
Supply chain and logistic optimization: analysis of the supply chain for tea silver tips production in low country
(Sri Lanka Society of Transport and Logistics, 2023-08-26) Weerasinghe, PGWSL; Madushani, TASH; Dharmasena, HAYB; Raveena, WAR; Gunaruwan, TL
This is a qualitative research conducted to study the supply chain optimization for tea silver tips production and analyze the supply chain for Silver Tips production in low country and how to optimize the logistics. The study will be targeting 13 major tea factories in low country and 20 tea smallholder growers in Deniyaya area. Face-to-face interviews and focus group discussions were conducted and the data was collected using a questionnaire. Secondary data was collected from previous literature. Data process and analysis was done using descriptive analysis. As for the outcome, study was able to emphasize the issues in the silver tip value chain as well as the suggestions given by the farmers. Growing low yielding varieties, re-exporting tea, poor transportation services and financial support, lack of developmental research and knowledge dissemination to farmers. Growers and the producers suggested to broadening the research and new variety development on tea, updating the growers with the latest technical knowledge, policy implementation, encouraging farmers to use plastic crates and providing financial support in order to maximize the yield.
item: Conference-Full-text
Process analysis factors to adopt intelligent robotic process automation in supply chains
(Sri Lanka Society of Transport and Logistics, 2023-08-26) Waduge, S; Sugathadasa, R; Gunaruwan, TL
Intelligent Robotic Process Automation (IRPA) is becoming one of the leading technologies in today’s businesses that compete in more dynamic business environments. IRPA helps to automate rule-based and repetitive processes in businesses. However, it is necessary to identify process analysis factors to adopt IRPA in supply chains, although there are available factors and frameworks to adopt RPA. Therefore, this research aims to identify process analysis factors to adopt IRPA using the Relative Importance Index (RII) method while categorizing the primary and secondary factors among them. Overall, the findings of this study will help researchers and industry practitioners identify the most critical and secondary factors that need to be considered when adopting IRPA.
item: Conference-Full-text
Fertilizer policy intervention and agriculture supply chain sustainability: an investigation of impacts of the chemical fertilizer ban on farmers in sri lanka
(Sri Lanka Society of Transport and Logistics, 2023-08-26) Perinparajah, V; Jayalath, MM; Perera, HN; Gunaruwan, TL
There has been an immediate change in fertilizer policy in 2021 in Sri Lanka. Sri Lankan government has limited and banned the import of fertilizers and agrochemicals with the objective of making its agriculture 100% organic. Sri Lanka’s leading agricultural economists and experts have indicated that this fertilizer policy reform will lead to a dramatic drop in agriculture production and has adverse impacts on farm incomes and farming families. This research aims to investigate it through a longitudinal analysis of the data to verify whether the fertilizer policy reforms have a negative impact on agricultural productivity and more importantly on the welfare of farmers. The empirical data has been collected from farmers by interviewing them face to face. Results shows that this fertilizer policy change leads to major yield losses and farmers’ livelihoods have been highly affected. This study could serve as a starting point for future studies that revolve around upcoming fertilizer policy reforms.
item: Conference-Full-text
By catch, depredation & authenticity of tuna value chain
(Sri Lanka Society of Transport and Logistics, 2023-08-26) Liyanage, U; Bandara, AMSMRSG; De Silva, DAM; Gunaruwan, TL
Tuna long liners play a very important role in the export-oriented fisheries sector in Sri Lanka while contributing a reasonable foreign income to the country. Hence, the objectives of the study were to investigate the issues of by-catch, depredation, and authenticity of the export-oriented tuna value chain while exploring the transport and logistics issues of tuna supplies and to propose strategies to overcome the issues identified. Primary data was collected from fishers in two fisheries harbors, Dikkowita and Gandara, in the Western and Southern provinces, respectively. A pre-tested, structured questionnaire was administered to the fishermen who used to fish in the high seas and the Exclusive Economic Zone. Boat owners or crew members of multiday fishing boats (IMUL) were interviewed monthly, covering 20% of the boats in each harbor. The depredation index was 15.60, with an attack interval of 3.46 and a damage rate of 0.29. Issues such as depredation of attached hooks or bait, hooking of unwanted catch, dissolving of fish schools, wastage of time, fuel, and energy, and loss of moral strength among fishers were recorded. The unwanted by-catch, such as sea turtles, sharks, seabirds, and sailfish, reduced the harvest, while these non-targeted damages adversely impacted marine life. As suggested solutions to overcome the issues, dolphin pingers could be used to repel the harmful cetacean species, the crew members could be trained for cetacean identification and record keeping, and satellite tagging could be used to closely monitor the predatory species.
item: Conference-Full-text
The transparency in apparel supply chains: a systematic review
(Sri Lanka Society of Transport and Logistics, 2023-08-26) Madumali, S; Weerasinghe, BA; Thibbotuwawa, A; Perera, HN; Gunaruwan, TL
The emergence of complexity, volatility, and competitiveness has made the apparel industry thrive towards a fast-growing global market. As a result, transparency in the supply chain has become one of the most prominent demands of consumers nowadays. However, the available review studies have not predominantly focused on the transparency aspect in a broader perspective within the apparel supply chain. Consequently, a significant research gap was identified in systematic reviews focused on transparency in apparel supply chain research. In this concern, this study is conducted by bridging the studies coming out from the transparency in the apparel supply chain introducing four research clusters that were systematically derived through Scopus based on author keywords of the paper pool. In addition, the evolution of transparency in the apparel supply chain is critically analyzed based on the derived four clusters. Moreover, based on the findings and identified research gaps through literature, the review proposes future research directions in the scope of transparency in the apparel supply chain for the growth of the field.
item: Conference-Full-text
Inventory allocation behavior of the distributor during demand shocks and supplier disruptions
(Sri Lanka Society of Transport and Logistics, 2023-08-26) Kosgoda, D; Perera, HN; Aloysius, J; Gunaruwan, TL
Inventory allocation is one of the main operations in any supply chain. Most of the time inventory allocation for the retailer is done by the manager of the distribution center. Literature reports three allocation mechanisms namely; proportional, linear, and uniform which can be used by the distributor when allocating inventory to their retailers. However, the distributor struggles to identify the best allocation mechanism when there is a mismatch between available supply and demand. We investigate the inventory allocation behavior of the distributor under three different scenarios; (i). when there are positive demand shocks, (ii) when there are supply disruptions, and (iii) when there are both scenarios. We used a computerized laboratory experiment to study the allocation behavior. We employed undergraduate students as participants in our laboratory experiment. The participants in all treatments were assumed as distributors and they were asked to allocate the inventory using any inventory allocation mechanism out of the three mechanisms. ANOVA techniques were used to analyze our data. Our results suggest, the proportional allocation mechanism as the best allocation mechanism when there are demand spikes. A liner allocation mechanism is ideal to use when there are supply disruptions. Further, when there are both demand spikes and supply disruptions, we recommend using the liner allocation mechanism.
item: Conference-Full-text
Factors of inventory management on inventory performance measures: case study from Sri Lankan wholesale industry
(Sri Lanka Society of Transport and Logistics, 2023-08-26) Palliyage, HL; Kavirathna, C; Gunaruwan, TL
Inventory management is a crucial component of sustainability since it enables companies to reduce expenses, enhance cash flow, and increase profitability. Inventory makes up a majority of current assets in the wholesale sector, where errors are bound to happen occasionally, given the frequent large-scale inventory management. This research focuses on identifying the factors and performance measures of inventory management and evaluating the impact of these factors on the performance measures. Initially, the factors and performance measures were identified through a systematic review and industry experts’ opinions. Twenty-two factors were identified and categorized into organization, facilities and equipment, processes, and practices categories. The 24 performance measures were grouped into the operational, customer satisfaction, and environmental categories. A questionnaires survey was conducted with 126 managerial-level employees of wholesale organizations. Data analysis was done using the PLS-SEM method to validate the relationship between the variables and the moderation effect of firm size on these relationships. The findings reflect; organizational factors, processes and practices, and facilities and equipment, influence the performance measures. Among these factors, organizational factors were the most significant in influencing customer satisfaction and operational and environmental performance measures. For most relationships, the firm size did not have a moderation effect.
item: Conference-Full-text
Avocados crossing borders: logistics and transportation issues in avocado supply chain in Sri Lanka
(Sri Lanka Society of Transport and Logistics, 2023-08-26) Senevirathne, MMSC; De Silva, DAM; Gunaruwan, TL
This study mainly attempts the logistics and transportation issues in avocado supply chain in Sri Lanka. Data collection was done in the main Avocado growing areas; Matale, Kandy, Badulla, Bandarawela and Gampaha Districts in Sri Lanka representing 30% avocado growers and 70% intermediaries. The Sri Lankan Avocado production is mainly relied on home gardening and distinguished by wide varieties in avocado cultivars. According to the result of the study the main logistics and transportation issues were identified as inappropriate harvesting practices, packing, postharvest management, temperature management, inappropriate transportation, and storage conditions. The study suggests reducing the logistics and transportation problems through introducing commercial cultivation and increasing technologies for harvesting, storing, packaging and transportation. Furthermore, the study suggests developing a commercial verity as "Hash" in order to gain entry into the international market. To reduce avocado post-harvest losses, it is suggested to invest into value addition products like avocado oil and researches. Most crucially, the study highlights the necessity for greater government attention on Avocado supply chain development.
item: Conference-Full-text
Review of methodologies used in electricity supply and demand forecasting
(Sri Lanka Society of Transport and Logistics, 2023-08-26) Dissanayake, BI; Perera, HN; Velmanickam, L; Gunaruwan, TL
European countries began liberalizing their electricity markets to increase competition and reduce prices for consumers [1]. In a liberalized electricity market, electricity is treated as a tradable commodity like any other product. Since then, electricity markets have been subject to the same economic principles of supply and demand as other markets, with prices rising when demand outstrips supply and falling when supply exceeds demand. A variety of methods and ideas have been tried for electricity forecasting in generation, demand, and price domains over the last few decades, with varying degrees of success. Over time. Researchers have applied methodologies from time series analysis, ARIMA models to machine learning and deep learning techniques. The evolution of these techniques have improved cost reductions in the industry. The purpose of this review is to illustrate the evolution of employed methodology, the complexity of applied solutions, and the opportunities and challenges that forecasting tools offer or may encounter.
item: Conference-Full-text
Assesing the effectiveness of railway operations in Sri Lanka
(Sri Lanka Society of Transport and Logistics, 2023-08-26) Vithanage, NVCJ; Gunathilake, S; Gunaruwan, TL
Railway transportation is one of the most common public transport modes in Sri Lanka. There are 167 main railway stations and 153 smaller railway stations located throughout the country. The objective of this study is to observe the effectiveness of railway operations in the Sri Lankan railway network in terms of safety and passenger satisfaction and identify possible countermeasures to improve the efficiency of the current operations. The railway network belongs to the Western province is considered for the study. Accident data at level crossings and along the railway line such as passengers falling off the platforms, slipping on stairs, etc. are collected through inventories of the respective agencies including the socio-economic factors associated with the victims, geometry-related factors at the accident location, causes for accidents, etc. Data on passenger experience such as punctuality, delays, hygiene, comfortability, etc. and socio demographic factors of passengers are collected through a questionnaire survey. Significant factors that influence accidents are determined using statistical methods, and passenger experience and perspectives are analysed to obtain the level of satisfaction in a 5-point scale. Countermeasures are proposed to improve the safety and the level of satisfaction of passengers that improves the overall quality of rail transportation.
item: Conference-Full-text
Advancing air travel: designing a dynamic airline reservation system for domestic airlines in Sri Lanka
(Sri Lanka Society of Transport and Logistics, 2023-08-26) De Silva, SHIDN; Wickramasinghe, MTA; Gunasekara, D; Gunaruwan, TL
The airline sector is rapidly expanding, with annual revenues in the millions of dollars. Because domestic airlines are the most convenient way to fly in Sri Lanka, local airline websites must be created. However, because there is severe competition in the sector, researchers recognized the need of establishing a web application. Authorizing an administrator to manage all passenger details and flight details, developing a more secure system, automating the e-ticket generating system, improving user satisfaction, lowering development and maintenance costs, and encouraging users with a low level of computer literacy to use the system are all features that will be supported to improve the efficiency of the domestic airline reservation system. As a result, the researchers’ primary goal was to improve the program by expanding the aforementioned functionalities. To accomplish this, researchers chose features such as tokenization, bar code generators, report generators, and automatic ticket generators. Following the successful creation, researchers conducted a system test with participating domestic airline consumers. Based on the testing findings, all responders were pleased with the effective construction of the domestic airline reservation system.
item: Conference-Full-text
Optimizing picking operation in an omnichannel warehouse using simulation and automation techniques
(Sri Lanka Society of Transport and Logistics, 2023-08-26) Lakshitha, S; Kosgoda, D; Perera, HN; Gunaruwan, TL
Omnichannel retailing involves the integration of brick-and-mortar stores and online platforms, which can provide a seamless shopping experience to consumers. However, proper functions and features provided by retail alone may not suffice. Therefore, it is imperative to consider the role of the omnichannel warehouse, which offers significant features such as shorter lead time, lower cost, and larger product assortments. Our research focuses on picking operations as it is one of the primary operations in the omnichannel warehouse that consumes a high amount of time, labor, and cost. We aim to enhance the efficiency of picking operations in an omnichannel warehouse through the utilization of simulation and automation methodologies. Flexsim software was selected as the simulation tool after a thorough analysis of available methodologies. We use three modern automated technologies, conveyor belts, mobile robotic fulfillment systems, and automated guided vehicles, and identify the most appropriate picking technique for the omnichannel warehouse through a comparison of simulation models. Finally, we develop a basic framework utilizing operators for executing pickup operations and generating multiple models, incorporating automated techniques. Subsequently, a comparative analysis of all models is conducted based on each scenario’s time, distance, and cost to identify the most optimal scenario. To implement the OC concept in future studies, it should include new picking methods, operations, and sectors.
item: Conference-Full-text
Northern sea route vs. suez canal route: effects of emission control measures
(Sri Lanka Society of Transport and Logistics, 2023-08-26) Kavirathna, CA; Shibasaki, R; Gunaruwan, TL
Retreat of Arctic Sea ice makes the Northern Sea Route (NSR) an alternative maritime corridor over the Suez Canal Route (SCR), although more NSR voyages generate vessel-based emissions to the fragile Arctic Sea. Thus, emissions-control measures (ECM) are considered for sustainable NSR navigation, although they would harm NSR’s feasibility. This study analyzes NSR’s feasibility with the effect of speed optimization as an operational ECM, heavy fuel oil (HFO)-banned area and emission tax as regulatory ECMs and an emission trading system (ETS) as a market-based ECM compared to SCR. An optimization model decides vessel speeds and HFO-banned areas for minimizing cost and emissions of voyages. Free-ice, medium-ice, and heavy-ice scenarios are analyzed considering spatial-temporal variation of ice conditions. Several scenarios indicate fewer emissions and costs with NSR than SCR. Ice-breaking requirement, slow steaming potential, and fuel prices significantly influence on NSR’s feasibility. Effect of ETS is analyzed considering 174 voyages via NSR over SCR. An optimization model decides optimum route considering marginal abatement cost. Results found 37 and 81 voyages for NSR if SCR’s speed equals 10 and 15 knots, respectively. NSR voyages increase at high prices of carbon allowance and results vary based on the free-emissions quota and navigation month.

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