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Sri Lanka’s Higher Education quality assurance practices: an institutionalization perspective
Get PDFPurpose: This study is an outcome of a preliminary review forming a part of a broader
research project that examines how quality assurance practices have been
institutionalized in the Sri Lankan higher education field and how they impact
accountability and governance within public sector universities. This preliminary
review was mainly concerned with identifying the institutional challenges that have
been highlighted in the literature connected to the institutionalization of quality
assurance practices in the higher education field in Sri Lanka.
Design/methodology/approach: The study was conducted as a desk review. The
review was performed using Sri Lanka’s quality assurance literature and documents,
which included regulations and guidelines issued by various government authorities
governing Sri Lanka’s higher education institutions since 2000.
Findings: Findings suggest that quality assurance (QA) is evolving into a distinct
institutional field of practice within the higher education sector in Sri Lanka with
coercive, normative, and mimetic isomorphic pressures. Coercive pressures operate
mainly in the form of regulatory measures by the University Grants Commission
(UGC) and the Quality Assurance Council (QAC), which have prescribed formal
quality assurance frameworks that universities need to comply with in institutional
and program reviews. Normative isomorphism is prompted by peer review
mechanisms and training and awareness campaigns by the UGC, QAC, and various
other donor-driven projects. Mimetic forces operate in the form of the adoption of
benchmarking practices against successful universities and courses. The literature,
however, suggests that the process of embedding quality assurance practices varies
across universities; while some universities embrace QA as a mechanism for
continuous improvement, others tend to view it as an external imposition. University
actors tend to view QA practices as a bureaucratic requirement and, thus, an additional
administrative burden rather than an opportunity for improving actual performance
and accountability. Research limitations/implications: The findings are informed by a review of extant
literature and documents. Though it provides us with a grounding for theoretically
informed dialogue and detailed empirical investigation, the empirical evidence may,
however, challenge these initial findings. The variation in QA practice also highlights
the need to examine human agency and how it is shaped by extant structures and
power dynamics.
Originality/value: Though a body of literature that examines the QA practices in
higher education institutions in Sri Lanka has emerged, these works have not been
investigated in light of the institutionalization of QA as a practice. Such insight is
important for policymakers to implement measures to embed the QA practice so that
it reproduces its existence over time
Authentication mechanism for online marketplace in Sri Lanka
Get PDFwith three step process verification for SMEs in Sri Lanka, enabling them to enter the
global market with government certified legitimacy, while addressing issues of fraud
and trust.
Design/methodology/approach: The methodology structured with three step
verification boundaries as National Identity Card (NIC) verification, business
registration (BR) verification, and address verification via government-issued utility
bills on a web-based platform. In order to proof the legitimacy, the entrepreneurs will
receive a government verified certificate to ensure that they are eligible to enter to the
global market. The approach integrates several programming languages, development
tools, and database management systems to create a robust, secure, and user-friendly
platform. The primary technologies utilized include Laravel, PHP, JavaScript, CSS,
and Visual Studio, with database management facilitated through WAMP server.
Findings: Through the findings of this study more than 95% of the sellers successfully
completed the authentication process by providing valid front and back images of their
NIC and BR documents. The remaining 5% were flagged for further review due to
inconsistencies in their documentation. The verification process significantly reduced
fraudulent registrations, leading to a safer and more trustworthy marketplace
environment. The results confirm that a multi-layered authentication system,
incorporating NIC, BR and address verification is effective in securing an online
marketplace.
Practical implications: Maintaining an authentication mechanism from the
government for the sellers to granting an opportunity for SMEs to enhance their
marketplace globally and on the other hand the government would be in the safe side
as they are able to ensure that only the legitimated parties are allowed.
Originality value: This study uniquely addresses the challenge of global market
access for SMEs with a government-certified solution. The three-step verification
process and specialized databases enhance its technical novelty. The results show how
both sellers a government is advantageous on relying on this authentication
mechanism
Development and quality evaluation of plant-based burger patties
Get PDFSubstitution of meat-by-meat analogues and plant-based meat products can
present beneficial results in both personal and societal aspects. When
considering the cost-effectiveness, religious beliefs and ethics, plant-based
meat substitutes will be an exciting option for Sri Lankan consumers. Plantbased burger patties are among the most popular meat substitutes in the
international market. The main objective of this study was to develop four
different types of plant-based burger patties using young jackfruit,
mushrooms and vegetables. Three young jackfruit and oyster mushroom
based and young jackfruit-based burger patties were developed by changing
the binding agents. Three mushroom based burger patties were developed
using oyster, button and abalone mushrooms. Three vegetables-based burger
patties were developed using different percentages of carrot, pumpkin and
cabbage. The burger patties were vacuum packed and stored under frozen
conditions. After thawing and pan frying, sensory properties of the developed
burger patties including appearance, color, odor, taste, texture, mouth feel
and overall acceptability were evaluated using a five-point hedonic scale and
the most preferred burger patty from each category were selected. Cooking
characteristics of the burger patties including cooking yield, cooking loss,
moisture retention (MR), reduction of thickness (RT) and reduction of
diameter (RD) were evaluated. Young jackfruit and mushroom based burger
patty had the highest cooking yield (98.5%) and the lowest cooking loss
(1.86%). Vegetables based burger patty and young jackfruit and mushroom
based burger patty had the lowest RD and RT, respectively. Mushroom based
burger patty had the highest MR. The results of this study indicate the
possibility of using young jackfruit, mushrooms and vegetables as main raw
materials in successfully developing plant-based burger patties
Insecticidal efficacy and antimicrobial activity of selected plant extracts against Carpophilus beetle and common pathogens
Get PDFThe growing concerns over the environmental and health impacts of synthetic pesticides
have led to a search for natural alternatives in pest and pathogen management. This
study evaluates the antimicrobial and insecticidal properties of selected plant extracts
Vitex negundo, Psidium guajava, Syzygium cumini, Moringa oleifera, and Lantana
camara—against common pathogens and Carpophilus beetle. The antimicrobial
activity was tested against Bacillus spp., Escherichia coli, Aspergillus spp., and
Trichoderma spp. using the paper disc diffusion method, while insecticidal effects were
evaluated against Carpophilus spp. using a contact toxicity bioassay. Results showed
significant antimicrobial activity, with Vitex negundo and Psidium guajava exhibiting
inhibition values of 2.4 cm and 1.6 cm, respectively, compared to a standard control of
2.6 cm against Bacillus spp. Lantana camara and Syzygium cumini showed inhibition
values of 2.3 cm and 2.1 cm, respectively, compared to a standard control of 2.5 cm
against Escherichia coli. Syzygium cumini exhibited strong antifungal effects with a 2.1
cm inhibition zone compared to a standard of 2.4 cm against Aspergillus spp. while
Vitex negundo showed a 1.3 cm inhibition zone compared to 1.4 cm for Trichoderma
spp. Insecticidal assays revealed that Syzygium cumini and Lantana camara were
particularly effective, significantly reducing beetle survival rates. Statistical analysis
confirmed the significance of plant species and extract concentration on both
antimicrobial and insecticidal activities (p < 0.05). These findings suggest that these
plant extracts have potential as sustainable alternatives to synthetic pesticides, though
further research is needed to explore practical field applications
Effect of dividend announcements on share prices: a study on listed companies in Colombo stock exchange
No full textCompanies sell shares to investors to raise capital for business financing and
expansion. Investors purchase shares with several goals including risk
management (diversification), capital growth, dividends, and tax advantages.
Hence, the dividend policy of a firm has been given considerable interest in
the field of finance. The company’s dividend announcements as well as share
prices are considered as the most crucial factors that can influence investors’
decision-making between buying and selling shares. This study examines
dividend announcements and their effect on the share prices of listed
companies on the Colombo Stock Exchange from 2018 through 2022. For
this study, twenty randomly chosen CSE-listed companies' final dividend
announcements data and share prices were retrieved. The sample consisted
of companies in ten randomly chosen industrial sectors. The standard event
study methodology is used to examine the share prices response to dividend
announcements for the event period of thirty-one days, fifteen days before
the announcement date, fifteen days after the announcement date, and the
announcement date. The data was analyzed using both event study methods
and regression analysis methods (o calculate the abnormal return, excess
return, cumulative average abnormal return, and t-values surrounding the
dividend announcements day. The increase in share prices around the event
date is indicated by the positive abnormal return, which suggests that there
has been a considerable effect on share prices. The results of this study indicate that dividend announcements significantly affect share prices on the listed companies in the Colombo Stock Exchange. The study’s findings also
Jend credence to a semi strong form of efficient market hypothesis, according
1o which share prices reflect all publicly available information and investors
view dividend announcements as positive developments. Hence, the study
concludes that corporate dividend announcements respond to investor
choices and help establish share prices
Water quality and its suitability for recreational activities on beaches along the east coast of Sri Lanka
Get PDFWater and its recreational use significantly impact human health and well-being. In
many coastal areas, tourism and recreation are vital economic sectors. Sri Lanka with
its numerous scenic beaches, attracts thousands of local and foreign tourists annually.
However, many of these beaches are facing serious declines in coastal water quality due
to rising human population, rapid urbanisation, industrial activities and intensive
agricultural practices. Assessing recreational water quality is essential for ensuring user
safety and conserving the coastal habitats, hence sustaining the Sri Lankan tourism
industry. This study investigates recreational water quality issues at three key beach
destinations - Nilaveli in Trincomalee, Pasikkudah in Batticaloa and Arugam Bay in
Ampara - on the east coast of Sri Lanka. The study was carried out with the objective
to assess the marine water quality parameters at these three beaches to ensure that they
meet health and safety standards for recreational users. It was done at different spells of
various periods, ranging from 03 months to one year, since 2009 to date. Temperature,
pH, Electrical Conductivity (EC), Salinity, Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), and
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) were measured by using multi meter (Orion Star A329 portable
pH/ISE/Conductivity/DO meter) and turbidity was measured by using turbidity meter
(Hatch 2100Q Portable Turbidimeter). Nitrate and phosphate concentration were
measured by using spectrophotometer (HACH, DR2000). Fecal coliform was
enumerated by MF method. The results indicated that the mean values of measured
parameters; water temperature, 28.63±1.73 ℃ (≤ 2 ℃, ambient temp.) pH, 7.85±0.27
and DO, 7.44±0.56 mg/L (4 mg/L). These parameters satisfy the marine recreational
standards' threshold limits (of ASEAN MWQC). Salinity (31.30±4.01 PSU) and
electrical conductivity (EC) (52.77±5.71 mS/cm) too were measured, both of which
were uniformly consistent spatially and temporarily across all three beaches. TDS
(50.44±8.61 g/L), turbidity (41.09±52.63 NTU), and faecal coliform (78.58±125.19
MPN/100 mL-1) were fluctuating between dry and wet seasons, as well as across the
three beaches. While nitrate concentrations (0.65±0.88 mg/L) were within the
recommended safe values, phosphate (2.17±2.83 mg/L) levels were found to be
exceeding the threshold limits for marine recreational waters, indicating that the beach
has been contaminated with phosphate-containing sources. Based on the overall results
of the beach water quality, it can be deemed that all three east coast beaches – Nilaveli,
Pasikkuda and Arugam bay - are suitable for bathing and recreational activities
Enhancing in-vitro shoot multiplication and elongation in aglaonema unyamanee tricolour using thidiazuron
Get PDFAglaonema unyamanee Tricolour is a monocotyledonous foliage plant with
high economic value, mainly propagated through vegetative stem cuttings.
Thidiazuron (TDZ) is a synthetic plant growth regulator contributes to
enhance micropropagation cycle via shoot multiplication and elongation in
aroid plants. However, for Aglaonema, the effect of TDZ is unknown. As
such, unravelling the TDZ is vital for ornamental plant industry. The
objective of this research was to determine the best hormone concentration
of TDZ for shoot proliferation and elongation of Aglaonema. The explants
were derived from matured healthy mother plants and obtained inter-nodal
segments (1cm long), then were surface sterilized and introduced into fullstrength MS media. The cultures were incubated at 26 ± 2ºC under16 h daily
illuminations with white fluorescent light. After one month, newly developed
clean shoots were taken to transfer into treatment media. Here, five
concentration of TDZ viz 0.0mg/L (T1, Control), 1.0mg/L (T2) 1.5mg/L
(T3), 2.0mg/L (T4) and 2.5mg/L ( T5 ) were introduced. Then the cultures
were incubated at 26 ± 2ºC under16 h daily illuminations with white
fluorescent light. Our results indicated that, a concentration of 1.50 mg/l of
TDZ resulted in the highest shoot length (24mm), while a concentration of
2.5 mg/l led to the highest number of shoots per explant (18) after a 2-week
period. The shoot bud production increased with the TDZ concentration,
3.6/plant with 2.5 mg/l, while lowest (1.0) in without TDZ. These initial
findings demonstrate that the use of TDZ can effectively enhance both the
multiplication and elongation of shoots in Aglaonema Tricolour, However,
further research is needed based on subculturing practices
Digitalization and cost optimization: strategies for Sri Lankan enterprises
Get PDFIn the ever-changing economic environment of Sri Lanka, businesses are increasingly focused
on cost optimisation as a critical approach to enhance operational efficiencies, establish a
competitive edge, and assure the long-term sustainability of their organisations. This article
examines the vital role of digital technologies in driving cost optimisation approaches for Sri
Lankan enterprises. The study contributes to the academic discussion by synthesising insights
from extant literature and provides a holistic framework for Sri Lankan enterprises to utilise
digital technologies for cost optimisation while resolving contextual constraints
Retailers’ benevolence and consumers’ loyalty: the role of consumers’ specific trust in the retail supermarkets in Sri Lanka
Get PDFPurpose: Retailing in Sri Lanka is growing exponentially and the shopping behavior
is also changing from small retail outlets to major supermarkets. Retailers’
benevolence in fact plays a vital role in the creation of customer loyalty towards
retailers. The purpose of the study was to explore impact of retailers’ benevolence on
the consumer loyalty towards retail supermarkets in Sri Lanka and the role of
consumers’ specific trust on retailers.
Design/methodology/approach: The study was quantitative in nature. Primary data
was used for this study. Questionnaire was developed and administered among 578
customers in Sri Lanka who had experience in shopping in supermarkets. Data was
analyzed using SPSS. The sampling technique adapted for this study was convenient
sampling as.
Findings: Findings reveal that retailer’s benevolence creates consumers specific trust
and it leads to consumer loyalty towards the supermarkets in Sri Lanka. Findings also
indicate that consumers’ specific trust also mediating between retailer’s benevolence
and consumers loyalty towards retailers in Sri Lanka. Thus, retail industry may
enhance its investment on the retailers’ benevolence strategies and obtain a good
lucrative result by creating consumer specific trust. This study further implies that
retailers are committed to the satisfaction of customers and they are doing right things
to the customers.
Practical implications: Supermarket retailers in Sri Lanka may further increase the
strategies for increasing the benevolence strategies to attract more customers and
enhance the profitability of the retailing industry. Further, benevolence also positively
influence the customer loyalty towards supermarkets by creating consumer specific
trust on the retail supermarkets. This study also finds that the consumer trust is also
one of the important factors for the success of retail supermarket in Sri Lanka.
Originality value:
This study is important for the retail supermarket industry in Sri Lanka to grow further
while changing the consumer behavior towards shopping