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Industrial sector consumes a substantial portion of electrical energy. Building owners persistently believe that combining on-site renewable energy systems to buildings is not cost-effective in Sri Lanka. Therefore, this research aimed to evaluate the use of on-site renewable energy sources for industrial buildings in Sri Lanka. This research carried out 10 expert interviews and 6 case studies. Experts determined that solar and biomass as viable on-site energy generating sources in Sri Lanka. Life-cycle cost was calculated for six case studies representing three case studies for each viable option followed by a sensitivity analysis. Based on the research findings, biomass can effectively manage waste while eliminating the risk of the emission of harmful biomethane. Based on the calculations, the payback period for a solar system varies between 4 and 6 years and biomass system varies between 6 and 7 years. This research explored the potential of generating on-site renewable energy for industrial building. Although the 'on-site' energy generation is not widely discussed in industrial buildings, this research study strengthened the possibility of adopting solar and biomass as on-site renewable energy generation sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose Governments of many developing countries that are unable to develop their infrastructure in order to obtain financial resources prefer to establish public–private partnerships (PPPs) for providing the much-required infrastructure. Time is thus opportune for Sri Lanka, which is also a developing country, to make use of PPPs to develop its road network. The purpose of this paper is, therefore, to identify the PPP models that suit road construction in Sri Lanka.Design/methodology/approach The study used a mixed approach. The characteristics of road construction, procurement selection factors to be considered in road construction, and the different PPP models that can be used for such procurements were identified through a comprehensive literature synthesis. The findings were validated using expert interviews. A questionnaire survey identified the PPP models that suit road construction in Sri Lanka. The most suitable model among them was identified by ranking the PPP models using procurement selection factors.Findings Build–Own–Operate–Transfer was identified as the PPP model that best suits road construction in Sri Lanka. However, investors may not find it attractive because of its high payback period, a result of the low traffic volume in Sri Lanka. Therefore, a PPP model that involves road construction alone will not be feasible in Sri Lanka. It will have to include the construction of other infrastructure as well.Originality/value The study identifies a PPP model that best suits the road construction projects in Sri Lanka. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to identify the enablers and barriers to the adoption of green leasing in Sri Lanka and propose probable solutions.Design/methodology/approach As an in-depth investigation was required, the case study method with a qualitative approach was selected as the research methodology. A documentary review and semi-structured interviews on three selected green buildings were conducted to study their leasing processes. QSR NVivo statistical analysis software was used for the content analysis.Findings Enablers and barriers to the adoption of green leasing under different categories such as those related to processes, institutions and government and also to legal, economic and social factors were determined along with probable solutions identified through a comprehensive framework that was developed.Practical implications The findings can be used as a basis to evaluate the current leasing processes that have adopted this emerging and important approach toward the sustainable operation and management of green buildings.Originality/value The little attention paid to this latest concept makes it important to evaluate the adoptability of green leasing in developing countries. Hence, the determination of key enablers, barriers and solutions was the focal point of this research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study is to ascertain the major financial risks affecting construction contractors in Sri Lanka and to investigate the suitability of available hedging techniques as remedial solutions in managing such financial risks. To this end, the study identifies the most serious financial risks and the most commonplace hedging techniques to deal with the identified risks for Sri Lankan contractors through three unstructured interviews and a questionnaire survey administered among financial experts resulting in 33 duly completed responses. Analysis of the results is performed mainly using Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) methodology. As per the findings, the most serious financial risk affecting contractors was found to be associated with variations in material prices. The most commonplace hedging technique used by contractors to deal with the identified financial risks was ‘forward contracts’. The study prioritises the hedging techniques with respect to their suitability for dealing with financial risks in form of an integrated model. This study provides an illuminating insight into financial risks and measures to mitigate them through implementing hedging techniques with a focus on construction contracting in Sri Lanka. The findings can be held up as examples for other developing countries suffering from similar issues. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Purpose Delays represent one of the most critical factors that affect the cost of a construction project. They have to be therefore analysed comprehensively using appropriate techniques. The purpose of this paper is to find out the delay analysis techniques (DATs) that are most commonly used in road projects in Sri Lanka, the extent of their usage, the criteria that can be used in selecting them and the technique that is most appropriate for the selection.Design/methodology/approach The research methodology adopted included an extensive literature review, expert interviews and a questionnaire survey.Findings In road projects in Sri Lanka, five types of DATs are mainly used. The “As-planned v. As-built Analysis” technique is the most commonly used technique while “Window Analysis” is the least used technique. Out of the nine criteria identified for selecting a DAT, the most important criterion is the acceptability of the technique to courts and tribunals. “Window Analysis” was found to be the most appropriate DAT that can be used in road construction projects in Sri Lanka.Originality/value “Window Analysis” can be recommended as the most appropriate DAT for road projects in Sri Lanka. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore sourcing strategies for facilities management services using core-competency theory of outsourcing. The aim is to develop a screening framework for deciding the suitability of outsourcing versus in-house delivery for these services based on three levels of managerial functions prevalent in a typical commercial organization.Design/methodology/approach A questionnaire survey was administered for facilities managers in Sri Lanka to investigate the relative importance of these managerial functions for facilities management services and obtain their opinions on the best delivery mode. The managerial functions were derived from a literature review and verified using three semi-structured interviews prior to the questionnaire survey design.Findings The findings showed that facilities management services that are aligned to strategic functions are suitable for in-house delivery, while those that are aligned to tactical and operational functions for outsourcing.Research limitations/implications Further studies should be conducted and extended to other types of organizations beyond commercial ones. Secondly, the quantitative study employed a smaller sample (n = 40), and the survey items were based on the review of literature which was verified using a very small number of interviews (n = 3).Practical implications The proposed framework can be utilized when choosing the best facilities management approach for commercial organizations in developing countries such as Sri Lanka.Originality/value This study contributes to the body of knowledge on the subject of facilities management by exploring the context in Sri Lankan which has not previously been done. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to identify the risks and methods for their assessment in the case of maintenance activities in Sri Lanka. The main objectives were to identify the occupational risks in maintenance work and the risk assessment methods in place and their drawbacks in the Sri Lankan context. Design/methodology/approach – The identification and assessment of risks were undertaken through a study of three fast-moving consumer products manufacturing organisations. The relevant data were collected through personal interviews and site visits. Findings – Most typical risks associated with maintenance are cuts, slips and falls, with severe or fatal injuries as the result of negligence of SOP and failure to use the PPE. Checklists, brainstorming and decomposition techniques were identified as the preferred methods in maintenance for risk identification while a risk rating matrix is used for risk analysis. Lack of awareness and indifference towards risk assessment; make effective risk assessment very difficult. These drawbacks can be minimised by education, systematic training and enforcing rules, regulations and procedures for controlling risks. Originality/value – Studies on maintenance worldwide have identified several maintenance-specific risks such as working at heights, the pressure of time, etc. However, there is a dearth of published research on risks and risk assessment methods in maintenance in Sri Lankan context. The findings highlighted the safety risks and risk assessment tools entailed in the maintenance operations of manufacturing organisations. The findings will be useful for those in maintenance operations in managing risks effectively through designing work environments that are risk-free. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]