bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
moderating effect of sustainability reporting on the relationship between board characteristics and firm financial performance
Authors: Shyamanthi O.N.K. 
Published: March 2022

Purpose: This study primarily focuses on probing whether sustainability reporting has a moderating effect on the relationship between board characteristics and financial performance of Sri Lankan firms.
Design / Methodology / Approach: The study draws on data from 50 listed companies in Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) with the highest market capitalization during the period 2016 – 2018. This study considers seven board characteristics: board size, gender diversity, board independence, CEO duality, Number of board meetings held, nationality of board members and the number of members with PhD qualifications as independent variables to measure the board characteristics. Firm financial performance is measured by market and accounting based financial performance measures; ROA and Tobin’s Q. The Ordinary Least Square (OLS) regression models are applied and the moderating effect of sustainability reporting is measured using a GRI based index and PROCESS macro version 3.4 by Andrew F. Hayes.
Findings: The results reveal that the sustainability reporting moderates the relationship between board characteristics and firm financial performance. Further, the results show that the board size, nationality of board members and number of board meetings held have statistically significant negative relationships with firm financial performance. Other independent variables: gender diversity, board independence, CEO duality and board members with PhD qualifications do not show a statistically significant relationship with firm financial performance.
Practical Implications: This study contributes to the understanding of relationships between board characteristics and financial performance with the moderating impact of sustainability reporting. It provides academic evidence to policy makers in Sri Lanka for current and future governance reforms.
Originality / Value: Recent local and global financial catastrophes have stressed the significance of following corporate governance mechanism either on a mandatory basis or a voluntary basis. Further, the sustainability reporting has become a contemporary concern in global context and adoption of globally accepted standards and principles has become a current practice in Sri Lankan context. Therefore, a study carried out to examine the relationships between such sustainability reporting adoptions, present governance characteristics and firm financial performance is a timely necessity in Sri Lankan context.
Keywords: Board characteristics, Firm financial performance, Sustainability reporting
Women in Boards and Sustainability: Empirical evidence from Sri Lanka
Authors: Fernando D. , Dissanayake D.H.S.W. , Deshika N.P.T. 
Published: March 2022

Women in boards is an emerging concept as a solution to break gender barriers across boardrooms. Thus, a comparative study has been conducted, focusing on examining the degree of women in boards and the level of sustainability based on the resource dependency theory, contingency theory, and agency theory. But there is a dearth of studies related to the women in board and sustainability in Sri Lanka. This study is carried out as a solution to the empirical gap and contextual gap. The archival data is gathered based on the audited annual set of financial statements based on the highest market capitalization for the period of 2016 to 2019 and the sample consists of 50 companies. In addition to secondary data, direct interviews were conducted for the sample taking an approach of the triangulation method. The gathered data was dropped down and analyzed by using descriptive statistics, regression, and independent sample T-test. The researcher has used sustainability as the dependent variable and the women directors on the board as an independent variable. The results indicate a significant positive relationship between women in boards and sustainability in Sri Lanka. Sri Lankan companies with the critical mass concept have a greater mean difference than companies without having female directors at least three. Furthermore, it also reveals that women’s power of managing different roles and gender stereotypes tend to increase sustainability performance in social, economic, and environmental spheres. The inclusion of female directors will be a pragmatic solution to gender diversity and to create an interest in sustainability which is proving to be an emerging trend in Sri Lanka. This study has proved that the inclusion of women’s voices in the board room adds more colour not only to survive in the corporate world but also to highlight and accentuate an organization by contributing more to society and the environment with growing performance.
Keywords: Women in Boards, Corporate Sustainability, Critical Mass Concept
Solid Waste Management in Local Governments in Sri Lanka with reference to the Boralesgamuwa Urban Council
Authors: Sellahewa W.N. 
Published: March 2022

Local authorities are responsible for the provision of an extensive range of public services for the citizens in that residential area which encompassing different fields including the social, economic, environmental, recreational, and community development. This study has been narrowed down to examine the difficulties facing by local government when providing Environmental and sanitation services. When it refers to the environmental services provided by local governments, Solid-waste management can be regarded as a burning problem especially in Colombo district. Based on this situation, this research has been conducted to study about the Solid-waste management in local governments in Sri Lanka with special reference to Boralesgamuwa Urban Council. Main purpose of this study is to identify the challenges of local government institutions in solid waste management and to provide recommendations to enhance the solid waste management practices in local government institutions in Sri Lanka. This study is mainly based on the primary data which has been collected through in-depth interviews followed a semi structured questionnaire. Sample size is 50 including ten officers, ten waste collecting servants and twenty citizens in Boralesgamuwa area. Data has been collected using random sampling methods and analyzed descriptively. As the main findings of the study it was recognized the problem of proper implementation of the waste collecting plan of Boralesagmuwa urban council. There were several servant related problems such as servants’ demotivation, deficiency of labors, lack of facilities, lack of attendance, health problems and bad behaviors of labors etc. Deficiency of vehicles and maintenance problems identified under the category of transport relater problems. The matter of not collecting the waste properly by waste collecting servants was the main problem identified related to the people. Further, recommendations for solid waste management problems in local authorities, have also been provided in this study.
Keywords: local government, solid waste, management
systematic literature review on the notion of sustainability in social enterprise research
Authors: Jayawardhana K. , Siyambalapitiya J. , Fernando P.I.N. , Vimalini N. 
Published: March 2022

Given the noteworthy contribution to the global socio-economic development, research on social enterprises (SE) has gained prominence in extant business literature over the past two decades. Making a clear departure from their for-profit counterparts, the core purpose of SEs is to deliver a social mission while at the same time staying financially viable and as a consequence, “sustainability” is strongly embedded in their core drive of existence. Rapidly sprouting body of literature on social enterprise posits that “sustainability” is intensely coincided with “social enterprises”. Although “sustainability” has been a buzz word in the context of social enterprise research, lacking of systematization and categorization of knowledge hinders the advancement of SE context specific research. Consequently, the primary objective of this paper is systematization and categorization of the extant knowledge on sustainability in social enterprise research context. The study carried-out a systematic literature survey and here, published papers were downloaded from well reputed databases such as Scopus, Social Science Citation Index and Science Direct. After removing the repetitions, a total of 108 papers published on sustainability in social enterprise research context was compiled and used for final analysis. The analytical approach was twofold: First, a citation analysis was performed in order to evaluate the prominent, emerging and popular sustainability-based research areas in the extant body of knowledge in the field. Second, a thematic analysis was performed to analyze and interpret explicit themes on which sustainability concept has been investigated in social enterprise research context. Thematic analysis was also used to observe specific patterns of sustainability research in SE context. The paper discovered six themes that the sustainability concept has been researched in SE context through significant research popularity disparities can be witnessed among the discovered themes. Since this paper identifies several research gaps and inconsistencies in the field, it noticeably sets path for future research on the concept of sustainability in SE research context.
Keywords: Sustainability, social enterprises, systematic literature review, citation analysis, thematic analysis.
Investigation on the Readiness of the Sri Lankan Construction Industry towards Internet of Things (IoT): Conceptual Guideline
Authors: Dilakshan S. , Rathnasinghe A.P. , Seneviratne L.D.I.P. 
Published: March 2022

The world is witnessing the dawn of the Fourth Industrial Revolution known as Industry 4.0, where the ICT-fuelled digital economy is taking off exponentially. In such a context, the essence of the Internet identified as the Internet of Things (IoT) is a revolutionary way of procuring goods and services. IoT refers to scenarios where network connectivity and computing capability extend to objects, sensors, and everyday items not generally considered as computers while allowing them to interact among each other with the least involvement of humans. The application of IoT has already extended to the sectors such as manufacturing, transportation, energy, retail, smart cities, healthcare, and buildings to significantly improve the quality of life by increasing efficiency, productivity, profitability, and innovation. Meanwhile, the construction industry is still suffering from complexity and bottlenecks, whereas IoT has aroused researchers' curiosity to investigate the possibility of achieving more efficient management throughout the whole life cycle of a construction project. In the Sri Lankan (SL) context, the construction industry places a vital role in economic and physical development. Furthermore, in the Sri Lankan economy, Construction is the fourth highest sector after services, manufacturing, and agriculture. Therefore, it is vital to recognize the potential of IoT to be adopted in the industry, and associated barriers within such a process, which is the aim of this study. To attain the aim, an extensive literature synthesis was piloted to acknowledge the concepts and current practices of IoT applications in a global context. Literature synthesis revealed the global construction industry's faithfulness towards IoT applications, following a successful identification of potential barriers. Eventually, a conceptual guideline was developed to specify key variables that influence a phenomenon of interest while guiding SL construction professionals to recognize and adopt IoT applications in their respective fields.
Keywords: Internet of Things (IoT), Industry 4.0, Construction Informatics, Information Technology, Smart Sensors
Impact of Technology Readiness on Usage of Accounting Software among Small and Medium Enterprises in Kurunegala District
Authors: Abeysinghe W.A.M H. , Rajeshwaran N. 
Published: March 2022

Technology in many cases, are rapidly changing faster than the employee’s knowledge, skills, awareness and compliance. Therefore, some organizations or some people reject to manipulate the technology for their accounting functions. Therefore, there is a problem implementation of IT does sufficient for enhancement of usage accounting software packages. The objective of this paper is to investigate the significant impact technology readiness on usage of accounting software among small and medium enterprise. To achieve this objective this empirical survey using closed ended questionnaire. This survey results revealed that almost half of the responded SMEs have reported that, there is a moderate impact of technology readiness on usage of accounting software among SMEs in Kurunegala district. Positive and negative related beliefs of technology readiness have affected this moderate impact. It seems that small and medium enterprises are suffering some curiosity in presenting financial reports using accounting software packages whether their organization is fully embraces with technology. As the results reveled in this study recommended Usage of accounting software in SMEs should improve rather than the manual method. However, security threats of technology, reluctance of users’ CAS knowledge and skills, mind set and human habit, are affecting negatively for usage. So through this study hope to find out that, how technology TR impact on usage of accounting software among SMEs. For this study selected 383 respondents and responses were collected by using closed ended questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS 22.0 version. This research has used a famous model which has been presented by the parasuraman, that is technology readiness model. The study survey revealed that drivers of technology readiness, optimism and innovativeness are positively impact and inhibitors of technology readiness, discomfort and insecurity are negatively impact on usage of accounting software. It is proving after rejecting all null hypothesis.
Keywords: Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), Technology Readiness (TR), Computerized Accounting System (CAS), Statistical Practical Software System (SPSS), Information Technology (IT)
applicability of Robotic Process Automation in the Supply Chain & Logistics Industry in Sri Lanka
Authors: Witharana V.N.B. , Liyanage H. L. 
Published: March 2022

As technology transforms the business world, the supply chain and logistics sector need to embrace automation that promise rebuilding and integrating sustainable supply chains. Robotic process automation is the application of automating the business processes using software bots. These software bots can enter data into software applications, manipulate data, and communicate with other software applications. However, most robotic process automation literature focuses on sectors such as finance, but little research focuses on supply chain and logistics sector applications. Besides, robotic process automation in the Sri Lankan supply chain context is less studied. Therefore, the study's main objectives are to identify the applicability of robotic process automation in supply chain and logistics industry in Sri Lanka. Furthermore, the study aims to identify employee perception towards robotic process automation implementations in the supply chain logistics industry in Sri Lanka.
This study uses qualitative and quantitative research methods to collect data. Initially, a case study was conducted in one Logistics Company. A comprehensive feasibility framework was developed to identify the most feasible process. The AS-IS process and data flow mapping were developed to in-depth study the applicability of robotic process automation of the selected process. Findings confirm that many tasks of the selected process can be automated using robotic process automation. Moreover, a survey was conducted to identify employee perception towards robotic process automation implementations. The findings reflect that the young employees who have higher education and income levels are more likely to view robotic process automation as a positive impact on their jobs in the supply chain and logistics industry in Sri Lanka.
Keywords: Robotic Process Automation, Supply Chain and Logistics Industry in Sri Lanka, Employee Perception, Feasibility Framework
Effectiveness of Project Management Tools and Techniques in Sri Lankan Telecommunication Sector
Authors: Ekanayake E.M.C.L.B. , Weligamage P. 
Published: March 2022

The main focus of this research is to investigate the effectiveness of project management tools and techniques (PMTT) in Sri Lankan telecommunication sector. Also this research will further elaborate how Project Management Tools and Techniques effect on success of projects. Sample has been derived as a representation by covering main telecommunication providers in Sri Lanka. This sample consists of 178 employees who are responsible for projects in telecommunication sector. Linear regression and correlation analysis has been used to prove the model fitting. The finding suggests that project manager’s competency, top management support and organisational commitment facilitate project success by active use of PMTT. Further Project manager’s competency is the most important factor influencing the level of PMTT usage and thereby project success. Also, Top management support is the second most important factor determining the level of PMTT usage and project success. Further Organisational commitment influences the level of PMTT usage and project success. Finally, analysis proved there is no significant association between project complexity and PMTT usage or project success.
Keywords: Project management tools and techniques, project management, telecommunication sector, project success
How Top Management Values Impact in Setting Strategic Direction and Directional Corporate Strategies in Large-scale Export-Oriented Companies in Sri Lankan Apparel Industry
Authors: Wickramathilaka S.S.G. , Pushpakumari M. D. 
Published: March 2022

Sri Lankan apparel industry is very distinctive industry after the trade liberalization in 1977. Large apparel companies were established after 1977. This paper fundamentally focusses on top management values and how it affects in setting strategic direction and directional corporate strategy of export-oriented companies in Sri Lankan apparel industry. The research was carried out as a qualitative research by using interviews as main data collection tool. The book on life stories of one top manager also taken as secondary source in deriving key findings relating to that top manager. Six top managers from six different large-scale apparel companies were used as the sample based on purposive sampling and thematic analysis was used to analyze data. The paper emphasis the importance of top management values in the apparel context and how it is being impacts on setting strategic direction and directional corporate strategies. Based on the identified finding, this paper discusses about mode of conduct values, self-centered values and society centered values of top managers in Apparel context and deep analysis on how strategies and company’s direction is affected by those top management values. According to the findings, mode of conduct values has identified as the most influential values of top managers, while personal values is the second influential values and society centered values are the least contributing values on setting strategic direction and directional corporate strategies.
Key words: Top management values, Strategic direction, Directional corporate strategies, Export– orientation, Sri Lankan apparel industry
Is Ethical Banking the Future? A Literature Review
Authors: Jayasekera M.A.K.De.S. , Pushpakumari M.D. 
Published: March 2022

Banks are one of the main contributors of economic growth. Whilst carrying their role as a catalyst of economic growth, banks may cause indirect damage to the environment and neglect part of the society. In the process they evade themselves from the socio- environmental responsibilities. In search of sustainable development through banking requires a new form of banking. The alternative source of banking has emerged to address these issues of environmental and societal sustainability. The new criteria for a knowledgeable shareholder/customer planning for investments/relationships with a bank would be the objective of the bank for environmental and societal sustainability. Banks are moving from profit centered banking to socio-environment centered banking. The ultimate objective is to achieve not only economic gains but societal and environmental gains as well. Hence; a form of banking based on values emerged and are called Ethical Banks. These banks promote ethical and responsible behaviors among their stakeholders. Ethical Banks like any other conventional Bank engages in whole gamut of banking operations. It operates with more transparency. Ethical Banking has many sustainable criteria, Responsible Investments, Values based Banking, Financial Inclusion, Environmental Sustainability and Sustainable Economic Gains. Ethical Banking is gaining popularity especially among the western part of the world. As the world is heading towards sustainability, Ethical banking is the most suitable banking model for the future. The subject of Ethical Banking is new to this part of the world. Therefore, many researches on this subject were done in the western world. Very few researches are available in Asian context. The purpose of this paper is to examine whether Ethical banking would be the future of banking through a literature review. The study is a desk research in the form of a literature review based on literature published between 1989-2019. The significance of the study is to find out whether Ethical Banking could contribute to socio-environmentally sustainable growth as the future of banking. Based on the literature reviewed, it can be concluded that Ethical banking could be the future of Baking for a sustainable world.
Keywords: Ethical Banking, Value Based Banking, Financial Inclusion, Sustainable Development Environmental Sustainability