Institutional-Repository, University of Moratuwa
Welcome to the University of Moratuwa Digital Repository, which houses postgraduate theses and dissertations, research articles presented at conferences by faculties and departments, university-published journal articles and research publications authored by academic staff. This online repository stores, preserves and distributes the University's scholarly work. This service allows University members to share their research with a larger audience.
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Recent Submissions
item: Thesis-Abstract
Investigating the possibility of applying blockchain technology for construction projects during the financial crisis in Si Lanka
(2024) Perera, DSL; Seneviratne, I
The construction industry is crucial to the nation's economic development, makes substantial contribution to Gross Domestic Product. However, the ongoing economic crisis, reached to its climax in 2022, had a severe impact on Sri Lanka's construction sector due to significant currency depreciation and rising inflation. The increase in foreign debt and a decrease in tax revenues had led to the suspension of major infrastructure projects.
During the past, different countries adopted various strategies while managing the crisis. Blockchain is a technology which has the potential to revolutionize the structure of all accessible networks in the future. Construction companies are increasingly interested in utilizing blockchain to reduce project costs, improve planning, and minimize waste through modern construction technologies and innovative practices. Therefore, a thorough investigation is needed to explore the feasibility of applying blockchain technology for construction projects during Sri Lanka's financial crisis.
The study collected both qualitative and quantitative data, utilizing primary and secondary sources. Preliminary interviews were conducted to assess the relevance of information gathered from the literature review. Subsequently, a questionnaire survey was conducted among industry professionals in Sri Lanka, achieving a 46% response rate, to identify the applicability, barriers, and benefits of blockchain-based applications.
The research concluded that blockchain-based smart technologies could be applied to construction projects for smart contracts in payments and procurement, as well as during bidding and tender procedures. It also identified critical barriers to implementing blockchain technologies in Sri Lankan construction projects, containing financial resource constraints, lack of customer awareness, and insufficient stakeholder involvement. Advantages of blockchain technology were identified as fraud resistance, the ability to detect and correct misrepresentations or mistakes, improved information reliability, enhanced response times, and disintermediation.
item: Thesis-Abstract
Analysis on contract documentation errors and issues to minimize disputes in MEP sub-contracting work
(2024) Prabashi, NGK; Disaratna, PAPVDS
Although it is a fundamental component of economic growth, the construction sector continues to struggle with several obstacles, including disagreements that frequently surface during the execution of projects. In the context of these issues, the management of documentation mistakes in Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing (MEP) subcontracting activities stands out as a crucial concern that requires attention. The purpose of this study is to solve this problem by building a framework to minimize documentation mistakes in both the pre-contract and post-contract stages. The ultimate goal of this research is to significantly reduce the number of disputes that occur in MEP subcontracting projects. In this study, the causes of documentation mistakes and their consequences for the occurrence of disputes in MEP subcontracting projects are identified by a comprehensive analysis of the available literature and interviews with subject matter experts.
Through the utilization of details that are commonly utilized in the construction sector, the research focuses on projects in Sri Lanka, and in order to give insights into successful ways for avoiding disagreements, the purpose of this study is to analyze the underlying causes of documentation mistakes and the influence such errors have on the results of the project. In the field of construction project management, the findings of this research are anticipated to provide industry practitioners, policymakers, and academics with recommendations that can be put into practice. The purpose of this study is to contribute to the general improvement of the construction industry and to encourage more efficient and effective project delivery. Through the findings that solves the documentation errors and issues of MEP subcontracting activities, this study aims to accomplish the all objectives.
item: Thesis-Abstract
Impact of construction commodities importation on the Sri Lanka economy
(2024) Siriwardena, MGDA; Ramachandra, T
The construction industry its’ generally set to be heavily relied on imported construction commodities. One of the key concerns is its impact on the trade balance which is an integral component of a country's balance of payments. A trade deficit can exert pressure on the overall balance of payments, potentially leading to negative consequences. A persistent trade deficit may require Sri Lanka to draw down its foreign exchange reserves to cover the shortfall in payments for imported construction commodities. Many researchers have studied the relationships between economy and construction sector and highlighted the industry’s positive contribution to economy in many countries. However, it is important to study its’ negative side effects also in order to assess the position of the construction industry in any country’s economy. In this context, this research aimed to investigate the impact of construction commodities imports on the economy via the case study of Sri Lanka.
Initially, an extensive literature review was carried out to gain an in-depth knowledge and understanding about the research area, overview of Sri Lankan economy, significance of imports, economic theories relevant to imports, challenges and risks in imports, benefits of imports, factors/policies influencing and harmonized coding system. Mixed research method was used to achieve the objectives of the study. The study primarily employed a quantitative method where a documentary review into the archives of the Department of Customs, Sri Lanka was done to extract imports related data. The document review was further extended into other sources of reports to examine the trade policies and agreements influencing imports. The required data extracted were analyzed using descriptive statistics and content analysis.
The research focused on imports of 1060 construction related commodities as per the Harmonized System (HS) Codes. The above selected construction commodities were then categorized into 13 main categories, of which 80% represents construction materials while remaining 20% represents machineries and mechanical appliances. Article of Iron and Steel (13%), Iron and steel (13%), Bituminous Substances (11%) and Cement (10%) were identified as key imports materials. These materials mainly imports from China, India, Russia, Pakistan, South Africa, United Arab Emirates,
United Kingdom, South Korea and Indonesia. As per CBSL reports for the period of 2010 to 2022, the average construction materials imports out of total imports was 6.6%. Further, it was found that strong relationships exist in between construction performance, national economy and construction imports. Moreover, Sri Lanka has entered into FTA with other countries / organizations namely APTA, ISFTA, PSFTA, SAPTA, SAFTA & SLSFTA and granted preferential tariff benefits to a wide range of products. Finally, some recommendations are provided for minimizing the adverse economic impacts stemming from heavy reliance on imported construction commodities which included diversifying the country’s imports portfolio, fostering local production through incentives, and renegotiating trade agreements to better serve the national interest. Furthermore, the evidence gathered lays a foundational platform for policymakers to craft informed strategies to navigate the complexities of construction commodities imports effectively.
item: Thesis-Abstract
Competency requirements of procurement team in pre-contract stage to minimise disputes of public construction projects in Sri Lanka
(2024) Weerathunge, SS; Ranadewa, T
In developing countries, public construction procurement represents a substantial proportion of construction procurement. However, it encounters problems that hinder the economic growth of the country. Problems such as poor quality performance, time overruns, cost overruns, risk overruns, fraud and corruption, tender recalls and shortage of qualified and motivated professionals are prevalent in the public procurement process. Root causes of these problems such as inadequate documentation, poor communication among team members, inadequate procurement knowledge and skills of the procurement team members, inadequate knowledge of the procurement regulations, and inadequate planning often originate in the pre-contract phase, leading to problems in the public procurement process, ultimately effect with conflicts and disputes in public construction projects. Therefore, these root causes should be effectively addressed in the pre-contract stage to minimise disputes in the post contract stage, by having a procurement team with the required competencies in the pre-contract phase. Thus, this research focused on investigating the competencies of the procurement team in the pre-contract stage to minimise disputes in public construction projects in Sri Lanka, as well as investigating the professionals who should possess the identified competencies.
This study followed a mixed method approach, starting with a comprehensive literature review, followed by a questionnaire survey and a semi-structured interview with experts. Accordingly, Architects, Engineers and Quantity Surveyors participated in the questionnaire survey, while fifteen industry experts including Architects, Quantity Surveyors and Engineers possessing experience in public procurement were selected through purposive sampling for the semi-structured interviews. The sample was validated through ‘saturation’ to ensure reliability. Data analysis was conducted using Relative Importance Index (RII) for the questionnaire survey, and code based content analysis for the semi-structured interviews. The research findings offered thirty-six (36) root causes of the problems in the pre-contract stage, while forty-three (43) competencies for the pre-contract stage, and the relevant professionals for each competency.
Finally, a competency requirement framework was developed, integrating pre-contract sub-stages, root causes, necessary competencies, and relevant professionals. The framework provides valuable insights aiming to optimise the public procurement process and to minimise disputes in public construction projects in Sri Lanka.
item: Thesis-Abstract
A Study on the impact of labour laws on road construction project performance in Sri Lanka
(2024) Wijesena, WN; Sandanayake, Y
This research delves into the examination of how labour laws impact the performance of road construction projects in Sri Lanka. Utilising a qualitative research approach, the study incorporated an extensive literature review and conducted semi-structured interviews with 15 subject matter experts. The collected interview data were analysed through content analysis. The study identifies key performance metrics relevant to road projects in Sri Lanka, encompassing quality, timely completion and labour utilisation. The findings reveal that labour laws wield a significant influence on project performance, time delays, quality issues, safety incidents, and worker productivity concerns. To mitigate these impacts, the study recommended measures such as enhancing compliance with labour laws, improving stakeholder engagement, and adopting best practices from global construction projects.
The study acknowledges limitations, including its focus on the road construction sector in Sri Lanka and potential influences of broader socio-economic factors on project performance. The insights generated from this research hold significance for policymakers, project managers, and various stakeholders engaged in road construction projects in Sri Lanka.