D.M.L.N. Bandaranayake’s scientific contributions

The Business Model (BM) has become a distinctive feature that guides enterprises in fighting against challenges and navigating toward success. Construction organisations also face challenges due to expanding project scopes, increasing project participants, external factors and tight budgets. Hence, innovating BMs to keep up with the changing market and retain the competitive edge is essential. In this context, the stakeholders play a vital role in Business Model Innovation (BMI). There is therefore a need to investigate the role of stakeholder in BMI. Hence, this paper investigates the role of stakeholders in BMI in Sri Lankan construction organisations. This research gap was addressed using a literature review followed by in-depth semi-structured interviews with 20 experts using the qualitative research approach. Collected data were analysed through content analysis. Findings revealed that stakeholder engagement in BMI is led by the mutual benefits gained by all parties while creating a win-win situation. Semi-structured interview findings revealed that government, shareholders, clients, Board of Directors (BoDs) and management significantly influence BMI, while stakeholders such as employees, sub-contractors, competitors, financial providers and material suppliers possess a moderate influence. As per the interview findings, shareholders provide capital and foster innovation, BoDs/top management make final decisions after evaluating all suggestions, middle and low-level managers execute BMIs and guide subordinates, clients shape BMs to fit project needs, and the government influences BMIs through regulations. In conclusion, the stakeholders in construction industry can use the research findings in developing BMIs and implementing them successfully.

This study investigates the feasibility of utilising web-based microservices architecture (MSA) for contract document drafting in the construction industry. The research aims to identify essential selection parameters for contracts, address challenges in manual drafting, and determine necessary features for MSA integration. Through interviews with industry professionals and a comprehensive literature review, the study uncovered key parameters such as project size, type, procurement method, and design responsibility, with jurisdiction emerging as a significant factor. Challenges in manual drafting included human errors, stakeholder delays, and inefficiencies in existing tools, particularly regarding document tracking and security. Desired features for a microservices-based solution included version control, real-time collaboration, machine learning capabilities, and customisable data validation. Current technologies are often fragmented and lacking cohesive integration, which MSA could address by modularising features and improving overall efficiency. The findings suggest that MSA could enhance contract management by offering a more integrated, secure, and efficient solution. This study provides valuable insights for construction industry practitioners seeking to improve document handling and offers a foundation for further research into MSA applications and their impact on legal drafting processes.

The migration of skilled professionals, commonly referred to as “brain drain,” has a significant impact on labour-intensive sectors, notably the construction industry. In Sri Lanka, this trend has intensified, particularly amid the current economic crisis, creating significant challenges for the industry’s workforce stability and long-term sustainability. Although brain drain has been widely studied in other Sri Lankan industries, there remains a lack of research specifically addressing the construction sector. This study aims to bridge this gap by analysing the outflow of construction professionals through a qualitative research approach, including a comprehensive literature review and semi-structured interviews conducted with both migrated construction professionals and local construction company owners. Findings indicate a substantial escalation in brain drain since 2020, linked to various organizational, industry-wide, and national-level push and pull factors. Key drivers include the economic crisis as a principal push factor, alongside attractive salary packages offered by host countries acting as a major pull factor. By highlighting these dynamics, this research contributes to the existing knowledge base, equipping stakeholders with actionable insights to develop strategies for retaining professionals. Furthermore, it emphasizes the need for future research on the impacts of brain drain and proposes the development of guidelines to mitigate its adverse effects on the Sri Lankan construction industry.