Hewawasam Puwakpitiyage Gayan Dhanushka Wijethilaka’s scientific contributions

The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming global workforce dynamics, reshaping how organizations manage talent, collaborate across borders, and structure work. This paper examines the evolving interplay between AI technologies and global work arrangements, focusing on the transition from traditional outsourcing models to AI-driven partnerships and hybrid workforce systems. It explores how AI-powered tools are enabling virtual teams, enhancing productivity, and redefining roles by automating routine tasks while creating opportunities in AI-centric fields. Ethical challenges, including workforce displacement and widening skill gaps, are also addressed, with a focus on strategies to promote inclusivity and adaptability. Through case studies and emerging trends, this research provides actionable insights for businesses and policymakers to navigate the opportunities and challenges of an AI-enabled workforce, ensuring sustainable and equitable global work practices.

In the modern business landscape, the confluence of digital technologies with supply chain management (SCM) has ushered in an era of unprecedented change and opportunity. The concept of SCM, once rooted in traditional logistics and operational efficiency, has evolved into a sophisticated, technology-driven discipline. It is essential to leverage advanced tools to optimize supply chain processes, enhance transparency, and drive more informed decision-making. These innovations not only improve efficiency but also offer businesses a competitive edge in an increasingly complex global market. Revolutionizing Supply Chains Through Digital Transformation offers a comprehensive examination of how digital innovations are not only transforming supply chains but are also fundamentally redefining the value creation process across industries. It delves into the integration of technologies reshaping the way businesses manage their supply chains. Covering topics such as 5G technology, decarbonized transportation, and waste management, this book is an excellent resource for academicians, researchers, supply chain and operations management professionals, executives, managers, decision makers, and graduate and postgraduate students.

This chapter explores the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in optimizing business models through iterative planning. As AI continues to advance, it offers entrepreneurs powerful tools for data-driven decision-making, enhancing customer insights, market segmentation, dynamic pricing, and resource allocation. The chapter examines key AI technologies such as machine learning, natural language processing, and AI-powered simulations, which enable continuous refinement and adaptation of business strategies. It also addresses challenges such as data privacy, AI transparency, potential biases, and the balance between automation and human intuition. Ethical considerations, including the responsible use of AI, are discussed to ensure sustainable innovation. The chapter concludes by exploring future trends, including autonomous decision-making and the democratization of AI, emphasizing its potential to transform business models and drive long-term success.

Climate change poses significant challenges to mental health, impacting individuals and communities through extreme weather events, gradual environmental changes, and socio-economic disruptions. This chapter explores the complex relationship between climate change and mental health, highlighting direct and indirect pathways through which environmental factors exacerbate psychological distress. Case studies from various regions illustrate the widespread nature of these impacts, including increased rates of anxiety, depression, and PTSD. The chapter discusses practical, managerial, ethical, and societal implications, emphasizing the need for integrated strategies that include mental health services in disaster response and climate adaptation efforts. Future directions involve addressing research gaps, leveraging technological innovations, and fostering cross-sector collaboration. By understanding and addressing these mental health impacts, we can enhance resilience and support affected communities in the face of climate change.

The COVID-19 pandemic, started in late 2019, rapidly expanded into a global crisis, showing the critical importance of an effective vaccine supply chain. This unique situation prompted governments, pharmaceutical companies, and research institutions to came together for a historic effort, leading to the development and approval of vaccines within a year. The pandemic highlighted the issues of traditional vaccine supply chains, particularly in ensuring efficient and equitable distribution across developed and developing countries. It also highlighted areas of vulnerability in supply chain structures globally including storage, transport and production structures. As a result, the crisis boosted the use of modern digital technologies such as AI and Blockchain, which were instrumental in predicting the demand for vaccines and maintaining the security of records. Ahead, innovations such as the metaverse, augmented reality, and digital twins provide the prospect for redefining even further the distribution of vaccines, collaboration, learning, and even supply chain management.