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Managing it investment and strategic alignment for firm performance: a comparative study in emerging economies
No full textStudies on the impact of strategic alignment between managing IT investment and firm performance are limited. Drawing on the multi-theoretic lens such as the resource- The IT investments simply do based theory, and process theory this study examines the impact of managing IT and strategic alignment on firm performance as a comparative study between China and Sri Lanka. This study uses the primary data of 206 responses from Chinese and 182 responses from Sri Lankan IT and business managers. Accordingly, the findings revealed a strong and positive relationship in the hypothesized relationships. Further, the strategic alignment partially mediates the relationship between managing IT investment and firm performance between the above two countries context. This study opens for a greater understanding of the dilemma in the nomological linkage for the above relationship and contributes to the literature by lengthening the theory while suggesting insightful, and practical implications
A sociological study on digital divide: a comparative analysis between selected urban and rural areas in Tamil Nadu, India
Full text linkDigital technology is instrumental in driving social transformations in areas such as the economy,
politics, culture, and religion. An attempt was made in this present study to analyse the ground
reality of Rural and Urban areas in the field of digitalization and digital practices in Tamilnadu,
India. It is necessary to promote digitalized practices in Urban areas since its deliberately
intertwined with business or economic activities. Apart from such factors the educational, political
and legal aspects are seeking the direct interventions with digital world. In contrast the
digitalization has been still growing and yet to be improved in rural areas according to its need.
The study is based on qualitative in nature by employing the tools such as interviews schedule,
case studies, and participant observation and hence, seeking the comparative analysis between a
selected Urban area of Chennai region and a selected rural area in the outskirts of Chenni. India
has been part of the digital society since the beginning of the 21st century with the introduction
of the Internet and information and communication technology. People's every move and
behavior in a digital society are calculated and recorded as data. In this global context of a digital
society, India has created opportunities for digitalization for its people since 2000, with significant
strides made between 2015 and 2016. Reliance Jio, a telecom company, helped to accelerate this
process by offering free unlimited Internet packages on a mass scale. This led to a tremendous
surge in service industries and the emergence of new sectors, as well as a digital revolution in the
conventional systems of the economy, politics, culture, education, religion, and law. However, this
transformation has also exposed a significant challenge namely the digital divide or digital
inequalities. The study revealed that the prevailing socio-economic divide is the source of its wide
digital divide. This digital divide exists across both rural and urban areas, affecting access to digital
education and economic opportunities. The digital divide is also found between under-resourced
urban areas and affluent residential areas. This comparative study exclusively brings out the
equality and inequality aspects in both rural and urban polarities with respect to the digitalization
Psychological well-being of marginalized communities amid environmental change
Full text linkEnvironmental change manifested through climate variability, deforestation, pollution, and natural
disasters poses not only physical but also profound psychological threats, especially for
marginalized communities. This paper explores the often-overlooked mental health dimensions of
environmental degradation among socially and economically disadvantaged groups, including
indigenous peoples, rural poor, Dalits, fisherfolk, and urban slum dwellers. These communities are
frequently situated in ecologically vulnerable regions and face chronic exposure to environmental
risks without adequate support systems. The resulting stressors such as displacement, loss of
livelihood, cultural dislocation, and uncertainty have significant implications for psychological
well-being. Using an interdisciplinary approach, this study draws on community-level interviews,
mental health surveys, and environmental data to analyze how environmental change contributes
to anxiety, depression, trauma, and a diminished sense of identity and agency among marginalized
populations. For example, indigenous communities facing deforestation not only lose access to
land and resources but also suffer identity fragmentation due to the disruption of their traditional
ecological knowledge and spiritual connection to nature. Despite these challenges, the paper also
identifies coping mechanisms rooted in collective resilience, cultural practices, and community
solidarity. Traditional healing systems, spiritual beliefs, and social networks often provide crucial
emotional support in the absence of formal mental health services. The study concludes by
advocating for a rights-based, culturally sensitive mental health framework that incorporates
environmental justice and community participation. By foregrounding the psychological impacts
of environmental change, this research emphasizes that true sustainability must include mental
health resilience especially for those who are most affected and least responsible for environmental
degradation
Regulating algorithmic governance: a legal vacuum in policy-making and public accountability
Full text linkIn recent years, governments around the world have integrated algorithmic systems into core
governance functions such as welfare eligibility, immigration control, predictive policing, and
credit assessments. While these innovations promise efficiency and consistency, their
unregulated deployment raises serious legal and ethical concerns. In countries with
underdeveloped digital laws, especially across the Global South, this shift is occurring without
sufficient legal frameworks to protect individual rights or ensure transparency in decisionmaking. This paper critically explores the legal vacuum surrounding algorithmic governance.
It argues that these systems, often seen as objective tools, can in fact embed and amplify
societal biases, disproportionately disadvantaging marginalized communities. Unlike human
decision-makers, algorithms operate with limited transparency, making it difficult for affected
individuals to understand, contest, or appeal decisions. The absence of explicit legal
protections such as the right to explanation, access to due process, and algorithmic
accountability raises fundamental questions about justice, fairness, and democratic oversight
in digital public policy. To address this, the study employs a comparative legal analysis of
selected jurisdictions including the European Union, United States, and India to examine how
existing laws respond to the governance challenges posed by artificial intelligence. It explores
concepts such as data justice, algorithmic transparency, and human oversight, identifying gaps
and opportunities in current regulatory frameworks. The paper proposes a comprehensive
legal framework to regulate algorithmic governance, grounded in constitutional principles and
administrative justice. Key recommendations include establishing algorithmic review boards,
mandating public audits of AI systems, and enforcing legal standards for fairness,
explainability, and accountability. By intersecting legal theory with real-world digital policy, this
research highlights the urgent need for legal safeguards that ensure technology serves all
citizens equitably—not just the digitally privileged
Evaluating community-based solutions for plastic waste management in Passikudah, Sri Lanka: a sustainable tourism perspective
Full text linkPassikudah, located in the Batticaloa District of Sri Lanka’s Eastern Province, is a famous coastal
tourist destination known for its calm beaches and luxury resorts. It attracts around 70,000 visitors
each year, including both national and international tourists. In 2023, Sri Lanka saw a major
increase in tourism, welcoming over 1.4 million tourists, which was a 106.5% rise from the
previous year. While tourism has brought many economic benefits to the area, it has also caused
serious environmental concerns—especially the growing problem of plastic waste along the
coastline and nearby areas. This study focuses on finding sustainable, community- based solutions
to manage plastic waste in Passikudah, with an emphasis on involving local people in protecting
their environment. Using a mixed-method approach that includes field surveys, interviews with
key stakeholders, and spatial data analysis, the research looks into the current waste management
systems and explores new ideas like local recycling programs, awareness campaigns, and eco
tourism projects. The aim is to show how important community involvement is in reducing plastic
pollution while promoting environmentally friendly tourism. The findings are expected to help
provide useful suggestions for government authorities, tourism operators, and local communities
to support a cleaner and more sustainable coastal environment in Passikudah
Nutritional status of female students in primary grades in plantation communities and its impact on their learning development (a sociological study based on type 1c schools in the Yatiyantota urban area)
Full text linkPlantation communities in Sri Lanka are considered socio-economically and educationally
disadvantaged. Particularly, female students living in these communities face numerous
barriers to engaging in education. Education is a powerful tool that lays the foundation for
social advancement, especially for girls. Providing education to female students shapes the
basis for improving their quality of life and for enabling them to play a meaningful role in
society. Malnutrition of girls in primary grades in yatiyantota 1C schools is a challenge to
achieve excelling in education even the importance of education is well aware. The poor
nutritional status observed among primary-grade female students in these communities has
a significant impact on their educational outcomes and is recognized as a major social issue
in Sri Lanka. This study sociologically investigates the nutritional status of primary-grade
female students in four villages within the Yatiyantota urban area and examines its impact
on their learning development. The study explores the current nutritional conditions of these
students, the contributing factors to undernutrition, and proposes recommendations to
improve their nutritional status. The sample for this study was selected based on
convenience sampling. The research was conducted using a mixed-methods approach,
involving the observation of 40 students, questionnaires given to 20 primary-grade teachers
and 20 parents, and interviews with four school principals. Quantitative data were analyzed
descriptively using Excel, while qualitative data were subjected to thematic analysis and
interpreted accordingly. According to the findings of the study, the nutritional status of
primary-grade female students in plantation communities is adversely affected by factors
such as low household income, poverty, poor dietary habits, lack of nutritional awareness,
low parental education levels, and large family size. These factors have contributed to
setbacks in the academic achievement levels of the students. The conclusions and
recommendations of the study highlight that by drawing attention from educationists, the
negative impacts of poor nutrition on the learning development of these students can be
mitigated
Efficiency enhancement in dye-sensitized solar cells through neodymium-doped graphene quantum dot-modified TiO₂ photoanodes
Full text linkThis study explored the effects of Neodymium-doped graphene quantum dots (NdGQDs) on
improving the performance efficiency of TiO2 based dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). By
employing in-situ physical assisted mixing, DSSCs with optimized NdGQDs in
TiO2 photoanodes showed a power conversion efficiency of 8.76 %, a significant improvement
compared to the 6.01 % efficiency of pristine TiO2-based DSSCs under 100 mW cm⁻2 illumination
(AM 1.5). Notably, the short-circuit current density increased by 74 %. HRTEM analysis revealed
that the NdGQDs have a size range of approximately 7–9 nm. UV–visible spectroscopy and Mott
Schottky analysis revealed a positive shift in the Fermi level, promoting better electron transfer
and increased photocurrent density at the expenses of the open circuit voltage. Electrochemical
impedance spectroscopy characterization of DSSCs incorporating NdGQD-modified
photoanodes revealed a reduction in electron transfer resistance at the
photoanode|dye|electrolyte interface, accompanied by an increase in recombination resistance
within the device suppressing the electron recombination rate
Closing the digital divide in geography education: assessing Sri Lankan preparedness for 21st-century curriculum reforms
Full text linkThe 21st-century education paradigm necessitates integrating digital literacy into Geography
education, where geospatial technologies like GIS and data-driven methodologies are
transformative. Sri Lanka’s curriculum reforms prioritize digital competencies, yet Geography
teachers face systemic barriers, including unequal resource access, inadequate training, and
resistance to pedagogical innovation, raising readiness concerns. This study addresses a critical
research gap by examining educators’ preparedness, emphasizing implications for reducing
disparities between urban, rural, and estate schools. Digital literacy underpins essential
geographical skills-spatial analysis, critical thinking, and global awareness—making equitable
implementation urgent for policymakers, teacher educators, and practitioners. Despite progressive
policies, Sri Lankan teachers encounter multifaceted challenges: limited technical proficiency,
language barriers with English-dominated resources, insufficient pedagogical training, and
infrastructure deficits like unreliable internet and outdated hardware. Employing a mixed-methods
approach, the study surveyed 90 Geography teachers (stratified equally across urban, rural, and
estate schools), conducted 30 interviews, and observed classrooms to assess digital tool usage.
Quantitative analysis revealed stark disparities: 65% of urban teachers demonstrated digital
proficiency compared to 22% (rural) and 8% (estate), with 94% lacking formal training and 88%
in rural/estate schools facing severe device and connectivity shortages. Qualitatively, themes like
technological apprehension and reliance on self-directed learning via YouTube emerged, alongside
80% preferring traditional methods due to unfamiliarity or engagement concerns.
Recommendations include tiered professional development (foundational workshops to advanced
micro-credentials), public-private partnerships for infrastructure, localized adaptation of
international standards (e.g., ISTE), peer mentoring networks, and English-language upskilling
programs. By addressing infrastructural and pedagogical gaps, Sri Lanka can mitigate digital
inequities, fostering a model for global educational transformation. This research underscores the
urgency of systemic interventions to align teacher readiness with curriculum goals, ensuring
inclusive, technology-enhanced Geography education
Remote sensing-based assessment of acarbon density in Ampara District: integrating sentinel-2 imagery
Full text linkThis study assesses the functionality of Sentinel-2 satellite facts to estimate aboveground carbon
density (AGCD) in the Ampara district of Sri Lanka, which is known as a biodiversity hotspot vital
for climate resilience. The look at advanced a linear regression version using Google Earth Engine,
incorporating Sentinel-2 surface reflectance imagery from 2020 to 2021 alongside the World
Conservation Monitoring Centre (WCMC) international carbon dataset. Key predictors comprised
spectral bands, NDVI, and masks for dynamic world land cover to delineate vegetated areas. The
model showed a strong relationship (r = 0.89) between the predicted and actual carbon densities
(tonnes/ha), described by the equation: Predicted Carbon Density = 1.325 × Carbon tonnes per
/ha − 28.774. Systematic errors were observed in low-carbon zones, resulting in implausible
negative estimates. Validation with more than 400 sample points showed a lot of differences in
space: the measured AGCD went from 0.07 to 123.6 tonnes/ha, while the predictions went from
−14.9 to 99.9 tonnes/ha. In dense forests, the measurements were close to each other, but
differences in farming and damaged areas showed that adjustments are needed for varied
landscapes. An RMSE of ±18.2 tonnes/ha showed it was suitable for regional monitoring, but
also pointed out challenges in dealing with detailed ecological details. The study indicates Sentinel
2 demonstrates capability in conducting inexpensive assessments of tropical ecosystem carbon
stocks, which enables policymakers to implement sustainable management tools at different scales.
Future initiatives must incorporate precise biomass measurement techniques like LiDAR for
enhancing accuracy estimates for complex terrain features to support diverse species regions in
climate change initiatives
Application of geospatial technologies for the promotion of tourist industry in Negombo coastal region
Full text linkTourism is a vital contributor to both global economic development and cultural exchange.
The integration of innovative technologies, particularly Geographic Information Systems
(GIS), has significantly enhanced the planning, management, and promotion of sustainable
tourism destinations. GIS enables spatial analysis and improves tourists’ ability to understand
destinations, plan their travels effectively, and access relevant location-based information. Sri
Lanka, a leading tourist destination in South Asia attracts a considerable number of
international visitors annually. Sri Lanka’s tourism industry is largely supported by its extensive
and attractive coastline. According to the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, 62% of
tourists cite coastal attractions as their main reason for visiting the country. This study focuses
on the Negombo Coastal Tourism Zone, a key coastal destination in Sri Lanka’s Western
Province. The primary aim is to identify the existing tourism-related service facilities and
evaluate their spatial distribution to inform sustainable tourism development strategies. The
methodology follows the “Manual for Tourism Destination Management” by the United
Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). Data collection was conducted using
Google Earth Pro and verified through field observations. The analysis assessed the
distribution of tourism resources (e.g.,cultural and recreational attractions), community
infrastructure (e.g., drainage, water supply, parking), tourism infrastructure (e.g.,
accommodation, communication, internet access), and tourism services (e.g., shopping, tour
operators, guide and emergency services) using Arc GIS 10.8. Accordingly, the results of the
destination analysis conducted identified that there is a clustering of tourism services such as
accommodation, food and beverage outlets, rest and picnic areas, recreational facilities, and
entertainment within the Negombo coastal tourism zone. The spatial disparities of service
distribution can be identified as a major weakness in the region. Further, some of the vital
services for tourism such as Money exchange centers, Entertainment, Everyday activities,
Shopping Complexes, Rest and Picnic areas have been poorly established in the region. The
research findings will be in cooperated to a location-based mobile application tailored to the
needs of the tourists to enhance their travel experience within the Negombo region