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Item Development of an industry 4.0 based information sharing model for the apparel industry in Sri Lanka: A systematic review of literature(4th International Research Symposium on Pure and Applied Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2019) Udakanjalee, H.; Miuli, K.; Savini, N.; Tharaka, V. K.The world is currently experiencing the benefits of the fourth industrial revolution which is termed as Industry 4.0. The objective of this research is to identify the most appropriate Industry 4.0 tools to improve the productivity of intra and inter-organizational information flow in the Sri Lankan apparel industry. Inefficient Information flows across the supply chain partners in the Sri Lankan apparel industry has been identified as a major drawback contributing to reduced performance levels. The interruption of the flow of information within the organization and with other stakeholders cause problems such as disruption of smooth production flow, production delays, confusion among employees and poor customer interactions, etc. The methodology used in this research was a structured literature review in which research papers published under the keywords industry 4.0, sustainable supply chains, and information sharing models were reviewed. Approximately 20 research papers published between the years 2015-2019 in key research databases including Scopus, Emerald Insight and Research Gate were referred and reviewed to gather facts using the above keywords. It has been identified that there is a lack of researches in the area of information sharing within the organizational level using industry 4.0 tools. Then a pilot survey has been conducted with two of the leading Sri Lankan apparel manufacturing companies in order to gain an industrial perspective. The developed model is focused on improving the productivity of information sharing within different functional units of the organization and among the end-to-end Supply Chain partners by combining Industry 4.0 tools. This model guides the companies in the apparel industry to create efficient information sharing across the supply chain, through mapping the information flow across the partners upon the ERP integration with industry 4.0 tools. Briefly, the model suggests extracting data from the work floor through IoT devices, analyzing using big data and Artificial Intelligence before transmitted to the relevant departments. Using Augmented Reality and simulations work floor activities can be easily communicated to the workers. Cloud-based solutions are used for vertical integration with other organizationsItem Transport optimization models for the downstream agricultural supply chain: A systematic review of literature(4th International Research Symposium on Pure and Applied Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2019) Kaldera, H. G. S. R.; Tharaka, V. K.; Wickramarachchi, A. P. R.Agricultural supply chains play a major role in the Sri Lankan economy as the agricultural sector accounts for 7.6% of the total gross domestic product and 26.6% of the total employment. Sri Lankan consumers have to pay more for vegetable products mainly due to the perishable nature of vegetables and the inefficiencies in the supply chain which is leading to high levels of wastage. According to previous research, 48% of post-harvest wastage happens during transportation. Some other factors that contribute to such waste include: packaging, storage conditions, communication of information, and excess supply. The objective of this study is to explore existing network optimization models for the vegetable supply chains in order to minimize cost and wastage levels. Factors that contribute to inefficiencies, prevailing policies and the current operating model of the downstream logistics in vegetable supply chain have been examined through a systematic review of 30 selected research papers. Various distribution network optimization models, tools and techniques that could be used for this purpose were reviewed through literature analysis. A framework was developed for distribution network optimization of vegetable supply chain in order to reduce wastage and increase the efficiency of the downstream logistics process. Based on the review of literature, Mixed-integer linear programming and integer programming were identified as widely used models for developing a three-stage optimized distribution network. Data regarding Cost, time, distance between distribution centres and retail locations and transported quantities are required to develop these models. In addition, simulation, genetic algorithms, heuristic and simplex are identified as potential techniques and CPLEX, Xpress-MP, GLPK and Supply Chain Guru are identified as tools that are capable of deriving optimal solutions by considering all the elected variables. In conclusion, this research discusses how the end consumer is benefitted by an optimized agricultural distribution network. Further, this research provides an insight into the currently available knowledge in the research area and acts as a guide for developing an optimized distribution network while suggesting the most suitable optimization models and techniques for future research on the agricultural supply chain in Sri LankaItem Reducing the efficiency gap by optimal allocation using modified assignment problem for apparel industry in Sri Lanka(4th International Research Symposium on Pure and Applied Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2019) Kaveendri, D. H. D.; Tharaka, V. K.The Industrial Sector is one of the main contributing sectors of Sri Lanka’s economy. As per the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, the largest proportion of the industrial sector is comprised of manufacturing businesses. When it comes to manufacturing, lack of efficiency is one of the key problems faced by them all over the world. Apparel manufacturers, who contribute prominently to the country’s Gross Domestic Product, also experience this deficiency. In this study, the efficiency problem in the production lines, which is one of the sections in a plant, is addressed. The main objective of this study is to increase line efficiency by reducing overall working minutes. A comprehensive literature review and interviews with industry experts are done to find the causes of the problem in achieving required efficiency. This required efficiency is predetermined by the operations department. Improper allocation of workers to each operation of a line is identified to be one of the major reasons causing this gap. The studies are conducted on production lines in apparel industry. In order to proceed, Industrial Engineering study or a work-study is carried out using the operations breakdown sheet of a particular garment. It has focused on assigning 25 operators in a single production line for 17 operations that was examined for seven weeks. Apart from one operator being allocated to one operation, special scenarios like one operator is allocated to many operations and many operators are allocated to one operation, are taken into account when doing the work-study. The efficiency is inversely proportional to the working minutes. Thus, by reducing the working minutes the efficiency can be improved. In finding the optimal allocation, best-negotiated approach is developed using a mathematical model and solution is derived by using modified assignment problem. In determining this, modified Hungarian algorithm was applied using Lingo commercial version. The identified model is validated through review of subject and industry experts. The proposed model is expected to be beneficial for the apparel industry in terms of their efficiency. It can be concluded that the result of the study will reduce overall working minutes in order to maximize the efficiency with the proper utilization of this modelItem Optimizing the process of airline fleet re-assignment to minimize the impact of disruptions(4th International Research Symposium on Pure and Applied Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2019) Fernando, P. A.; Nanayakkara, L. D. J. F.; Tharaka, V. K.; Niwunhella, D. H. H.Aircraft assignments often deviate from the original schedule due to technical failures, operational requirements and other unforeseen circumstances which can be termed as disruptions. In such situations, it is necessary for the airline to assign an aircraft on ground to replace the grounded aircraft. Such reassignments entail re-work of the network, seat configurations, fuel requirements, load and other operational requirements. An efficient method to carry out re-assignments is absent in the Sri Lankan context; although research has been conducted to identify the optimum methodology for fleet assignment, those related to disruption management and aircraft re-assignment to minimize the impact of disruptions are scarce; disruptions still cost about 10% of airline revenue according to research conducted. Through the background study on Sri Lankan Airlines and literature, it was identified that the constraints of existing models do not capture all the elements such as passengers, aircraft and crew in the optimization of their objective functions. Available models do not consider re-assignment options such as ferrying, swapping, delaying and cancelling, in their entirety either. The exploratory study established the fact that disruption recovery is a time consuming and complex task which is required to be planned and executed in a matter of minutes. The controllers are often constrained to produce only a single feasible plan of action which may not be optimal. It is a difficult task to evaluate the quality of the recovery action which is to be executed. In most airlines, the personnel generating the recovery plan do not have adequate software-based decision support to construct high-quality recovery options, to compare available options or assess the down-stream impact of a disruption. The research is aimed at developing a model based on heuristics and meta-heuristics for supporting a model for the formal optimization of disruption recovery decisions. The impact of disruptions on the airline, types of fleet, nature of assignments, past assignments and requirements of an assignment are taken into consideration as qualitative data analysis. Quantitative data analysis is used to assess alternative assignments that could have been possible, comparison of options, model building and impact analysis in terms of cost and frequency. The study identified and validated the heuristics/meta-heuristics involved in the current methodology followed in aircraft schedule recovery and the rational/logic behind current process that can support optimization model building using heuristics, integer programming and simulationItem Green vehicle routing problem: A systematic review of literature(Research Symposium on Pure and Applied Sciences, 2018 Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2018) Waidyathilaka, E.; Tharaka, V. K.; Wickramarachchi, R.Among the key supply chain functions, logistics plays a prominent role in delivering products and services to the customers. The process accounts for a larger portion of the supply chain cost. Hence, it has forced organizations to move towards cost reduction strategies. Vehicle routing optimization is one such strategy and depending on the organizational focus it has been derived to achieve multiple objectives along with the main objective of reducing the costs. Over the past decade, the concern on environmental sustainability has increased among world population, thus forcing the industries to move towards sustainable operations. Transportation has been identified as a supply chain operation with a high impact on the environmental sustainability. The impact of transportation on the environmental sustainability is multifaceted, such as the amount of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, air pollutants, environmental impacts from the transportation of toxic chemicals etc. A new branch of Vehicle Routing Problem (VRP) known as Green VRP (GVRP) has been emerged to satisfy the need of ensuring the sustainability in transportation. GVRP consists of several categories that focus on different sustainability requirements resulting from transportation. Literature review has been carried out with ten articles selected through a three step filtering process; preliminary search based on key words, primary filtering of articles based on title and abstract and secondary filtering of articles based on relevance to the topic. Based on the literature reviewed on GVRP, it has identified the features and classification of GVRP along with the limitations and the predictable future developments. The reviewed literature has also been analyzed to identify the algorithms used for problem solving. Hence, this study presents the results of a systematic review of literature on GVRP. The article will stand as a guide in understanding the current state of the practices in relation to GVRP and will provide guidance for future research as well.Item The impact of employer - employee relationship and practice of effective goal setting on employee performance: A study on millennial employees in small and medium scale IT organisations in Sri Lanka(Research Symposium on Pure and Applied Sciences, 2018 Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2018) Wickramasena, R. D. G. K.; Tharaka, V. K.This research study has been conducted to investigate the effect of two human resource management (HRM) practices on employee performance. Goal setting and maintaining robust relationship with the employees are considered to be two important factors for any organisation to achieve desired level of performance. Information Technology (IT) industry is a booming industry in Sri Lanka, and the majority of the employees who are working in Sri Lankan IT organisations are millennials. There are many studies conducted on the factors that affect the employee performance and the impact of each factor on the organisational performance. But there are no sufficient studies conducted to explore the impact of the practice of effective goal setting and employer-employee relationship on employee performance. Hence, this research investigates the effect of the practice of effective goal setting and employer-employee relationship on employee performance, in small and medium scale IT organisations in Sri Lanka. Since the higher proportion of IT workforce in Sri Lanka belongs to millennial category, this study provides thorough information for the industry, in order to achieve optimal level of employee performance. The primary data on employee performance, practice of effective goal setting and employer-employee relationship were collected through questionnaires. Out of a population of 90,000 employees, 300 employees who met the criteria have been chosen as the sample. The data analysis method used is Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) method. This study examines that there is a positive and significant influence collectively and individually of the practice of effective goal setting and employer- employee relationship on employee performance. Apart from these results, it further elaborates on the extent of the influence that practice of effective goal setting and employer-employee relationship portrays on employee performance and how the management should focus on these factors.Item Impact of lean supply chain strategies and third-party logistics (3PL) outsourcing on the supply chain performance.(International Research Symposium on Pure and Applied Sciences, 2017 Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka., 2017) Tharaka, V. K.; Suraweera, R. N.; Galahitiyawe, N. W. K.This research fills a knowledge gap in the contemporary topics on lean supply chain strategies, third party logistics (3PL) outsourcing and on supply chain performance. According to the published literature, most organizations’ objective of outsourcing logistics is to achieve at least 20 percent cost reduction. The practice of 3PL outsourcing is a growing trend; especially in Asian countries. This study examined the significance of the relationship among the variables; Lean supply chain strategy, Supply chain performance, Strategic partnership with 3PLs and 3PL offerings in terms of the competency of the 3PL; which were measured using a defined set of questions, scored in 1-5 Likert Scales. This research has been designed as a mixed method research, involving both quantitative and case study research approaches. The quantitative study analysed 106 usable responses out of 250 of population. The unit of analysis is manufacturing organizations in Sri Lanka who have outsourced at least one of their logistics activities to 3PL(s), and respondents were middle level managers. Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) technique was used to analyse the data using SmartPLS. The qualitative data were collected through several interviews carried out among the key personnel in a leading thread manufacturing company and its respective third party services provider, and analysed as a case study in order to further verify the findings of the quantitative analysis. The study finds that there is a mediating effect (partial) of strategic partnership with 3PLs on the relationship between lean supply chain strategy and supply chain performance. Further to that, the competency of the 3PL has influenced in increasing (moderating effect) the supply chain performance of the focal firm irrespective of the scope outsourced. The qualitative study reveals that lean practices resulted in bringing down the manufacturing costs, inventory holding costs, improving delivery accuracy and information visibility across supply chain partners, after outsourcing the activities. The findings of this study helps managers to identify how to yield benefits from outsourcing and most specifically, the importance of having a strategic partnership with 3PLs and involve them in the strategic planning.