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No full textIn the context of Sri Lanka, where agriculture,
particularly paddy cultivation, plays a crucial
role, farmers face significant challenges due to
weed infestation. Unlike some other countries that
have embraced machine learning technologies to
address these issues, Sri Lanka has yet to adopt
such advanced solutions. To tackle the pervasive
weed problem, a research initiative was
undertaken to develop a mobile application
capable of identifying weed types. The
methodology involved utilizing Convolutional
Neural Network (CNN) pre-trained models,
namely ResNet-50, Inception-v3, and VGG16,
along with the Google Colab platform for training
the dataset. Among the three models, VGG16
demonstrated the highest accuracy, making it the
chosen model to further the research. The primary
goal was to achieve a superior level of accuracy
in detecting weed species in rice fields. The
research team focused on delivering a mobile
application with a high level of accuracy to
identify and classify weeds in paddy fields. The
integration of advanced technologies, such as IoT
and machine learning, aimed to provide Sri
Lankan farmers with an efficient and effective tool
to combat weed-related challenges in their
agricultural practices
Impact of green marketing strategies on business performance in hotel industry
Get PDF, Purpose: Service business firms like hotel industries have now paid their attention on
its business activities by considering environmental friendly marketing activities
called as green marketing strategies. Since previous findings of studies conducted in
green marketing strategy and firm performance also vary this contradiction led to
carry out a study on green marketing strategies and business performance in hotel
industry in Ampara Coastal Belt of Sri Lanka. Objective of this study is to know the
impact of green marketing strategies on business performance in hotel industry.
Methodology: This study undertook a systematic review of green marketing strategies
and business performance and developed a research framework. This study is a survey
method that used a questionnaire to collect data from a sample size of 121 hotel
owners and hotel workers. Descriptive statistics were used to describe demographic
variables of the sample respondents.
Findings: As per the results of correlation, 4 green Ps such as green product, green
physical evidences, green people and green process of green marketing are having
strong correlation with business performance. 3 green Ps such as green price, green
place and green promotions are having low correlation with business performance.
However, as per the regression analysis, all the 7 green Ps are influencing business
performance of hotel industry to a greater extent.
Practical implications: Hotel industry needs to focus mainly on green product, green
physical evidence, green people and green process of green marketing strategy for
enhancing their business performance. Green customers do not prefer green price.
Thus, hotel industry owners need to pay special attention on green pricing to convince
green price.
Originality value: This study adds value to literatures in the field of green marketing.
In addition, this study gives awareness to green marketing to service sector like hotel
Evaluating the effectiveness of homomorphic encryption in big data: a descriptive and diagnostic analysis
Get PDFThe ever-increasing volume of data generated
from various sources, including the Internet of
Things (IoT) and digital channels, presents a
significant challenge for organizations. This rapid
growth often necessitates offloading data analysis
to the cloud due to limitations on local server
capacity. However, security concerns arise when
analyzing sensitive data in the cloud environment.
Traditional encryption methods, while effective in
protecting data at rest, require decryption prior to
analysis,
potentially
exposing
sensitive
information. On the other hand, Homomorphic
Encryption (HE) is gaining popularity as it –
offers a solution by enabling computations to be
performed directly on encrypted data. This paper
investigates the effectiveness of homomorphic
encryption on big data through descriptive and
diagnostic analyses. Result suggest that this
approach is better in terms of execution time and
is particularly well-suited for big data analytics
due to its inherent scalability
The factors influencing the smart banking application: a study of the Banking Industry in South Eastern Region, Sri Lanka
Get PDFPurpose: This study examines the factors influencing the adoption and use of smart
banking applications in the banking industry in the South Eastern region of Sri Lanka.
It seeks to identify key determinants, including technological, behavioral, and
environmental factors, that contribute to the successful implementation of smart
banking solutions. The research highlights the role of user perception, trust, security,
and the convenience offered by such applications in driving their adoption.
Design: The study employs a mixed-method approach, combining quantitative data
gathered through structured surveys distributed among customers and qualitative
insights obtained through interviews with banking professionals. The Technology
Acceptance Model (TAM) framework is applied to analyze the data. Statistical tools,
such as regression analysis and correlation analysis are used to determine the
significance of various factors.
Findings: The findings reveal that ease of use, perceived usefulness, and trust
significantly influence customer adoption of smart banking applications. Additionally,
factors such as the availability of robust security measures, compatibility with user
needs, and the role of banking staff in promoting these technologies are critical. The
study highlights that socioeconomic and cultural elements unique to the South Eastern
region also play a pivotal role.
Practical Implications: The results provide actionable insights for banks to enhance
the adoption of smart banking applications. Recommendations include investing in
customer education programs, strengthening security protocols, and designing user
friendly applications tailored to local needs. This research also highlights the need for
policy support to encourage technological advancements in the banking sector.
Originality Value: This study contributes to the limited literature on smart banking
application adoption in Sri Lanka, mainly focusing on the South Eastern region. It
offers a comprehensive understanding of both customer and institutional perspectives,
addressing a significant gap in regional research and providing a foundation for future
studies
Work life balance and its individual level antecedents: special reference to academic and administrative heads of the universities in Sri Lanka
Get PDFPurpose: This paper explores the impact of individual work life balance antecedents
such as personality wellbeing and time management on work life balance of the North
and Eastern province university academic and administrative heads in Sri Lanka.
Design/methodology/approach: The survey method was employed to gather data
from the North and Eastern province Universities such as the University of Jaffna,
Eastern University, South Eastern University of Sri Lanka and Vavuniya University
academic and administrative heads were taken into consideration. The sample size is
339. Of these, 257 were returned (75.8%) and utilized, and a strong analytical process
followed.
Findings: The study outcomes show that individual work life balance factors of
personality wellbeing and time management have considerable strength in work life
balance.
Practical implications: The study offers support and a path for the Sri Lankan higher
education segment. Additionally, the study's outcome would facilitate a direction for
the university's academic and administrative heads to improve their work life balance
by using these individual factors.
Originality value: This study is beneficial for policymakers in higher education to
think about the individual aspects such as personality, wellbeing and time
management to improve the work life balance of their employees
To investigate the effect of nano edible coating on shelf life of guava
Get PDFGuava (Psidium guajava) is one of the popular fruits in Sri Lanka. Due to
high perishability postharvest loses are high as 40 %. Study was designed to
formulate nano edible coat using varying quantities of bee wax (0.005 %,
0.001 %, 0.015 %), nutmeg essential oil (50 µl, 100 µL, 150 µL), with aloe
vera, coconut oil and Tween 20. The nano emulsions were prepared with an
ultrasonic cell crusher (Labtrone, China) at 20Kz for 20 minutes. The
experiment consists with three treatments with positive (Coated guava +
KMnO4 1g sachet) and negative control (Uncoated guava). Guava samples
were placed in perforated corrugated boxes and stored under (25±2 ℃).
Physical (colour, firmness, weight loss, marketability) physiochemical (brix
value, total ascorbic acid content, total acidity) and sensory properties (5-
point hedonics scale) were evaluated with 3 days intervals. The data were
analysed with one-way ANOVA (p=0.05). The result revealed that Treatment
2 (0.001% bee wax+ 100µL nutmeg essential oil) had the lowest brix value
(6.00±0.00) was significantly difference from the positive and negative
controls (p˃0.05). Lowest marketable percentage was observed in the
negative control group, that was significantly different (0.83±0.05%) from
the coated guava (p˃0.05). Lowest weight loss (0.23±0.02g) of Treatment 02
was significantly different between the two controls (p˃0.05). Treatment 02
was exhibited the maximum firmness value (717±186g), the lowest pH value
(4.12±0.02), the lowest acidity (6.00±0.64 mg/100g) and ascorbic acid
content (1.18±0.36 mg/100g). It has recorded highest score for all the sensory
attributes during 15 days of storage period at 25±2
Development of an organic liquid plant growth booster formulation
Get PDFOrganic fertilizers, derived from plant, animal, or mineral sources, play a
pivotal role in sustainable agriculture by enhancing soil fertility and
contributing to a positive ecosystem. Unlike synthetic fertilizers, known for
rapid nutrient release and potential environmental harm,organic fertilizers
release nutrients gradually, meeting plant requirements while reducing
leaching. Aligning with ecological farming principles, organic fertilizers
minimize the carbon footprint in agriculture. However, current organic liquid
fertilizers exhibit limited boosting ability compared to chemical growth
boosters, affecting flower and yield outcomes. This studyaims to develop an
organic liquid fertilizer with growth and yield-boosting capabilities along
with pest control properties. The fertilizer, fermented and prepared using
banana, papaya, woodapple fruits and peels, moringa tender leaves and
flowers, neem tender leaves, wild sunflower leaves, molasses, and old
compost as an inoculum, resulted in two formulations: raw liquid fertilizer
and nano emulsion liquid fertilizer. Testing these formulations on okra plants
under sixtreatments, in comparison with Albert Solution® chemical liquid
fertilizer, revealed significant differences in plant height, number of leaves,
and yield (P<0.005). The highest yield was observed in treatments cultivated
in topsoil + liquid fertilizer, while lower yields were recorded in liquid
fertilizer + sand media. However, consistently higher yields were obtained in
topsoil and compost-treated plants with organic liquid fertilizer. The days of
flowering onset were influenced by the liquid organic fertilizer, with the nano
emulsion formulation showing an average flowering onset of 53 days.
However, these preliminary results suggest a possible positive effect on plant
growth and yield increase, but further experiments are required for
conclusive result
Enhancing the ionic conductivity of PVDF-HFP gel polymer electrolyte for alkaline earth metal ion batteries
Get PDFThe electrolyte is the key component of alkaline earth metal ion batteries and the ionic
conductivity of the electrolyte is one of the most important parameters of the battery
electrolyte. Gel polymer electrolytes (GPEs) offer unique advantages by overcoming
the limitations associated with both liquid and solid electrolytes, while retaining
desirable properties from each type. The present study aimed to synthesize and
characterize poly (vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF-HFP) based
gel polymer electrolyte in order to improve the conductivity of GPEs. Further, to
enhance the ionic conductivity of the PVDF-HFP based GPE, appropriate amount of
MgCl2 and of CaCl2 has been incorporated in the electrolyte separately.15% Mg2+
incorporated PVDF-HFP electrolyte shows higher ionic conductivity of 3.3060×10-3 S
cm-1 that of 15% Ca2+ is 2.1141×10-3 S cm-1. The ionic conductivity of GPEs further
enhanced by adding TiO2 nanoparticles as nanofillers. PVDF-HFP+15% Mg2+ with
0.075% TiO2 electrolyte exhibits greater ionic conductivity of 4.3307×10-3 S cm-1
while PVDF-HFP+15% Ca2+ with 0.05% TiO2 electrolyte shows ionic conductivity of
3.0594×10-3 S cm-1.The variation of ionic conductivity with temperature ranging from
25°C to 60°C of the PVDF-HFP+15% Mg2+ electrolyte and of PVDF-HFP+15% Ca2+
electrolyte was analyzed and the activation energy of each electrolyte was then
obtained. The activation energy of the PVDF-HFP+15% Mg2+ electrolyte and PVDFHFP+
15% Ca2+ electrolyte was found to be 0.71059×10-4 eV and 1.43454×10-4 eV
respectively. This study implies that PVDF-HFP based gel electrolyte can be a
suitable candidate for the alkaline earth metal ion batteries
The impact of human resource management practices on employee’s job performance – a study on insurance companies in Ampara district
Get PDFPurpose: This research was conducted investigated the impact of human resource
management practices namely compensation, training and development and
promotion policy on job performance of employees in insurance companies in
Ampara district.
Design/methodology/approach: A total number of 100 questionnaires were
distributed to the all employees in the insurance companies in Ampara district. This
study used the survey method. Self-administered questionnaires were distributed
among the respondents to collect the data. Gathered data were presented in graphs
and tables to explain the pattern of responses. Results obtained from descriptive,
correlations and regression analyses were used for interpretations.
Findings: This study has indicated that compensation, training and development,
promotion policy have impact on employee’s job performance. Result indicated that
compensation showed a positive correlation with job performance, the regression
analysis suggests it may not be a significant predictor. Training and development,
promotion policy was confirmed to have positive and significantly associated with
employee’s job performance in insurance companies in Ampara district.
Practical implications: This research has shown that the employees work in the
insurance companies in Ampara district are aware about their human resource
management practices impact on employee’s job performance. This finding will be
useful for insurance companies to increase employee’s job performance.
Originality value:
This study reveals that human resource management practices is important to the
insurance company employees to increase their job performance
Creation of a dairy-free and lactose-free beverage: harnessing the richness of coconut milk infused with roasted barley
Get PDFA well-liked and adaptable non-dairy substitute that has become very popular
in recent years is coconut milk beverages. The main objective of this study
is to optimize the roasting process of barley and formulate a dairy-free and
lactose-free beverage. Ready-to-serve beverages were prepared with the
incorporation of roasted barley. To the mixture in different ratios and roasted
barley powder and other ingredients, including xanthan gum for stabilization,
sugar, coco powder and chocolate flavour were added. The mixture was then
filled into clean, sterilized glass bottles and sealed manually. Afterward,
sealed bottles were sterilized. Prepared samples were kept at room
temperature (29 ºC) for a one-month period and analysed. The produced
beverages were evaluated for physiochemical and sensory parameters, yeast
and mold count and total plate count stored once a week using the sensory
evaluation for different treatments was carried out using 9-point hedonic
scale testing for taste, texture, colour, odour, flavour, and overall
acceptability. The data were analysed using SPSS software at the 0.05
significant level. No significant quality changes of beverage samples were
observed during storage. Based on the sensory evaluation, the beverage at
230⁰C, 40 min and 228g:6g had the highest mean score for overall
acceptability and there was no microbial count detected at one-month
storage. The study concludes that the optimized roasting process of barley,
combined with specific ratios of coconut milk, results in a stable,
nutritionally rich, and well-accepted dairy-free beverage with sustained
quality over a one-month storage period