Browsing by Author "Thilakarathne, B. L. S."

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Design and development of pump based chocolate 3D printer
(Department of Industrial Management, Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya Sri Lanka, 2021) Rajapaksha, R. R. A. K. N.; Thilakarathne, B. L. S.; Kondarage, Yashodha G.; De Silva, Rajitha
The use of 3-Dimensional (3D) printing, known as Digital fabrication (DF) or additive manufacturing (AM), technology in the food sector has countless potential to fabricate 3D constructs with complex geometries, customization, and on-demand production. For this reason, 3D technology is driving major innovations in the food industry. This paper presents the construction of a chocolate 3D printer by applying the pressure pump technique using chocolate as a printing material. Here the conventional 3D printer’s design was developed as a chocolate 3D printer. As an improvement, a new extruder mechanism was introduced. The extruder was developed to print the chocolate materials. In the working mechanism, the 3D printer reads the design instruction and chocolate material is extruding accordingly, through the nozzle of the pump to the bed of the 3D printer followed by the design (layer by layer). The special part of this chocolate 3D printer is the pressure pump in the extruder part. That pressure pump provides pressure on melted chocolate from the chocolate container to the nozzle point. The usability and efficiency of the 3D printer were tested with sample designs. The obtained results were presented and discussed. Together with these advances this 3D printer can be used to produce complex food models and design unique patterns in chocolate-based sweets by satisfying customers.
Factors Affecting Brand Loyalty of Professional Customers in Online Banking
(Department of Marketing Management, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka., 2018) Wijesundara, B.; Thilakarathne, B. L. S.
This paper concentrate on how far commercial banks in Sri Lanka have been adapted to online banking facilities and its impact on brand loyalty among professional customers. The main research objective of the study is to identify the level of influence made by online banking facilities on brand loyalty of the professional customers in commercial banking sector. The findings revealed that perceived value and trustworthiness influence the brand loyalty among professional customers than the customer satisfaction on brand loyalty. This is in line with an empirical study supporting the notion that trust and other security beliefs influence consumers’ intent to purchase goods over the internet and that perception of internet security influence potential purchasing behavior. Bank management can transform their branches with technology to serve their customers better. This could strengthen the bond with customers and make them more committed to continuing to use the online banking services.
Factors Influence on Purchasing Intention of Fashion Clothing Through Online Platforms
(Department of Marketing Management, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2017) Wanniarachchi, T. M.; Thilakarathne, B. L. S.; Wijesundara, B.
This paper focuses on the impact made by social media characteristics on purchasing Intention towards fashion clothing through the online platforms. The main research objective of the study is to identify the level of influence made by the characteristics of trust, perceived online risk, convenience, and online reviews on the consumer buying intention. The survey method was used to collect data from the sample and a sample of 204 consumers was selected through convenient sampling method. A properly structured questionnaire was distributed among the selected sample. Likert scale questions were analyzed by coding different values for each response. Correlation and regression analysis have been employed to test the hypotheses based on the result. Qualitative data via open ended questions were used to get a deeper understanding on consumer purchasing intention and online platforms used by the industry. There is a strong positive relationship between online reviews and the consumer purchasing intention. Further, it was found out that there is a moderately positive relationship exists between the trust and the consumer purchasing intention. The empirical evidence suggesting the negative relationship of risk and the consumer purchasing intention was not supported with the statistical data and analysis of the study. This research would have given a broader idea on online buying intention if conducted covering all the segments in Sri Lanka. As a conclusion remark of the study, researchers recommend fashion and clothing companies to focus more on their core business activities on online platforms which may lead to positive reviews and recommendations. This would enhance the consumers’ purchasing intention in the long run. Further the study recommends that the online businesses should pay more attention on factors emphasized by the customers in purchasing clothing online.