Why Do Individuals Act Fairly Or Unfairly? An Examination Of Psychological And Situational Antecedents Of Organizational Justice

Most studies on organizational justice have focused on individuals’ reactions to justice. As such, a key question has been left largely unanswered: Why do individuals act fairly or unfairly? The present research adopted a person-situation interactionist approach (Trevino, 1986) to examine psychological and situational antecedents of individuals’ fair behavior. The social identity model of deindividuation (SIDE; Reicher, Spears, & Postmes, 1995) and side-bet theory of continuance commitment (Becker, 1960) was used to examine how organizational identification and continuance commitment might influence employees’ fair or unfair behavior depending on an organization’s justice climate. Based on SIDE, it was hypothesized that organizational identification relates positively to employees’ feelings of deindividuation. Based on side-bet theory, it was further hypothesized that employees’ continuance commitment relates positively to their adoption of a subordinate role. Both deindividuation and adoption of a subordinate role were argued to make employees more susceptible to external influences and, therefore, make individuals more likely to behave in ways that are normative in a given context. Individuals who have higher levels of continuance commitment and organizational identification were, therefore, argued to engage in fair or unfair behavior depending on the level of the justice climate and the strength of the justice climate of their workgroup. The results of three studies provided support for the majority of hypotheses. Theoretical and practical implications of the results are discussed

Effect of Total Phosphorous, pH and Electric Conductivity on the Seasonal Occurrence of Geosmin in Some Water Bodies Sri Lanka

Cyanobacteria and actinomycetes are well known for their capability to produce taste and odour (T and O) causing compounds in water as their secondary metabolites. Geosmin (trans-1, 10-dimethyl-trans-9-decalol)) is one of the major T and O causing compounds producing earthy T and O and has become a major issue in worldwide water sector. Despite of not detecting as a human health hazard, presence of this odorant directly causes drinking water aesthetically unacceptable and leads to consumer rejection of treated drinking water due to conventional treatment processes do not remove Geosmin. Geosmin is prevailing in some Sri Lankan raw water bodies where water is taken for treatment purposes by National Water Supply and Drainage Board. The objective of the present study was to find the seasonal variation of Geosmin in Sri Lankan water bodies with respect to some physico-chemical aspects aiming to manage the T and O issue in Sri Lanka. Sampling was carried out from June 2016 to June 2018 covering both dry and wet seasons. Geosmin contamination level in 20 water bodies in Sri Lanka were analysed by Solid Phase Micro Extraction (SPME) coupled with Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS). The physico-chemical parameters of the water body were measured using standard spectrometric and titrimetric methods. Quantification and enumeration of phytoplankton were carried out with standard method using Acidified Lugol’s solution at final concentration of 1% following natural sedimentation. Geosmin concentration of the analysed samples varied between 7.8±3.27 to 34.6±1.32 ng/L throughout the dry season and from 0 to 18.3±1.22 ng/L during the wet season. Among the selected raw water bodies; the highest level of Geosmin was recorded in Sagama tank (34.6±1.32 ng/L) while the lowest was detected in Nallachchiya tank (7.8±3.27) during the dry season. During the wet season, the highest level of Geosmin was recorded in Sagama tank (18.3±1.22 ng/L) where not detected levels were recorded in Kondawatuwana tank, Jayanthi tank, Kanthale tank and Unnichchi tanks. Anabaena sp., Microcystis sp., Cylindrospermopsis sp., Oscillatoria sp., Cyclotella sp. Volvox sp., Gloeocystis sp., and Uroglenopsis sp. are the major taste and odour forming cyanobacteria recorded from the reservoirs during the study. Total cyanobacteria cell density varied between 102,560±2.28 cells/ml (Thuruwila tank) to 3,649±0.34 cells/ml (Ridiyagama tank) in dry season whereas from 98,235±4.73 (Beire lake) cells/ml to 135±3.11 cells/ml (Kanthale tank) during wet season. Detected Geosmin level in dry season was greater than the wet season. The Pearson’s correlation coefficient analysis revealed a significantly strong positive correlation between Geosmin level and the total phosphorus concentration (r=0.850, (p<0.05), water pH (r=0.788 (p<0.05)) and the Electrical Conductivity level (r=0.612, (p<0.05). Further, it was found that cyanobacteria cell density (r=0.691, (p<0.05)) had a significant positive correlation with Geosmin level in water bodies. These findings are crucial in understanding and managing natural reservoirs to eliminate T and O issue to provide a better quality drinking water to Sri Lankan general public.Keywords: Geosmin, SPME, GC/MS, Physico-chemical parameters, Seasonal variatio

Identifying the Gender Differences in Response to Graduate Unemployment: Evidence from Sri Lanka

Employment opportunities are available for graduates from certain disciplines, while for a considerable proportion of thegraduates, finding employment has become a problem. Therefore, enhancing the employability of graduates is a challenge faced by the university system of Sri Lanka. This research contains the findings based on economic, social and geographical attributes for gender difference in response to graduate unemployment. A questionnaire was distributed among the graduates of selectedtwo faculties of General Sir John Kotelawala Defense University, Ratmalana. The study aimed to identify the impact of gender ongraduate unemployment, causes for the gender differences, and the impact of geographical, social and economic factors inresponse to each gender. Primary data was collected through the questionnaire. Chi square test was used to determine theindividual impact of independent variables towards the dependent variable, and binary logistic regression has been used todetermine the collective impact of independent variables towards the dependent variable. The findings suggest that age, father’seducation, satisfaction with higher education/ training, job preference, job satisfaction and impact of gender on finding a job(as per the thoughts) have a significant relationship with employability status of the male graduates. Furthermore, academic qualifications, monthly income of families, satisfaction with higher education and the training, job satisfaction and impact of gender of the female graduates (as per their experiences) have a significant relationship with employability status of the female graduates. DOI : http://doi.org/10.31357/fhss/vjhss.v06i02.0

A Discrete Haar Wavelet Based Approach for Visualizing Error Regarding a Simulated Time Series

Point-wise error between a time series and itssimulated series is not a stronger technique in data analysis.However, extending this point-wise error into a decomposition oftwo different qualitative values is addressed here. Thedecomposition is facilitated by discrete Haar wavelet. Ultimately,a spectrum has been designed to illustrate the error allowinglocalized analysis and interpretations too

Measuring risks in the financial services industry

Traditionally, financial risk management has mainly focused on the types of risk that can be identified and measured. Many actuarial and statistical theories and models have been developed in the past, to quantify such risks. However, high profile events such as Black Monday, the Asian financial crisis, 9/11 terrorist attacks, the Enron scandal, and more recently the Global financial crisis, has repeatedly proven to the financial world that risks which matter to the stability of financial firms are often immeasurable and unidentifiable. Hence, simply focusing on the measurable risks is inadequate for a sound management of financial risks. In this thesis, we develop a holistic framework to identify (if possible), measure (if possible), and manage the measurable, as well as the immeasurable, and the unidentifiable risks. We identify four realms of financial uncertainties and point out that each realm possesses a unique set of challenges to risk management. Possible tools to grapple each realm of uncertainty and their limitations are discussed by drawing from risk management techniques used in various fields of science and other industries. Then, those tools are applied to two financial problems: 1) estimating operational risk capital for banks by using external data, and 2) assessing the adequacy of the Australian superannuation guarantee system under market uncertainty

Contamination Status of Well Water around Nawinna Dumping Site, Maharagama

Waste generation by man started since the beginning of civilization as a consequence ofhuman activities, involving the production of goods and services and the consumption ofnatural sources. Garbage dumping is a global environment issue. Ground water is one of themain victims of garbage dumping. The major danger associated with drinking water sourcesis the possibility of its recent contamination by sewage or human and animal excreta.Another problem is siting of a drinking water system (wells and boreholes) near a refusedumpsite or landfill. When aquifer from which the well draws water is contaminated orcontaminated surface water enters the well, well water can be contaminated.Nawinna area which is located in Maharagama contained a major solid waste dumping site.Eighty wells were sampled monthly from January 2012 to October 2012. Water samples werecollected in sterilized glass bottles using standard methods both for microbial and physicochemicaltests. Microbiological and physico-chemical parameters were measured using thestandard methods and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was carried out to evaluate therelative water quality among GN divisions around dumping site.Results showed that both total and fecal coliform counts ranged between 0 to >1,100 countsper 100 ml and almost all tested wells were significantly contaminated with total and fecalcoliform (p<0.001), sometimes exceeding 1,100/100 ml. The total nitrate concentration wassignificantly high (p<0.001) exceeding more than 60 mg/l. The first study, reported in 2007in the same study area found that Nitrate concentration was exceeding 40mg/l and the secondrepeated study in the same area in 2011 was detected 50 mg/lof nitrate. Therefore, theremight be a significant tendency of increasing the nitrate concentration in well water in thearea. Mean ranges of physico-chemical parameters of pH (4.11-7.14), Nitrate (0.64-77.31mg/l), Conductivity (114-70,000 μS cm-1), Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) (0.03-19.40mg/l), Phosphate (0.07-2.68 mg/l) and Chemical Oxygen demand (COD) (0.14-64.13 mg/l)detected respectively. Nitrate concentration has a significant correlation with ChemicalOxygen Demand (COD). Principal component analysis revealed that the Wattegedara GNdivision contained the highest polluted wells. According to the questionnaire survey, peopleof the area are complaining about the deterioration status of water quality with odour, tasteand colour. It was found that some wells within the study area were acidic (pH 4.11).As a conclusion, total coliform, fecal coliform, nitrate, phosphate, COD, BOD andconductivity values were exceeded than the drinking water quality standards given by SLS.This may due to excessive application of organic and inorganic fertilizers in homegardens,unregulated garbage dumping, too much closer toilet pits, limited space for constructinghouses, and lack of restrictions. The presence of coliform bacteria can indicate the possible presence of pathogens and other pollutants. It is important to highlight that the study area hasa very shallow water table and susceptible to spread of pollutant and microbes which effecton human health within very short period and this situation becomes worse in near future.

Cyanobacteria and Geosmin: The Influence of Nitrogen versus Phosphorous

Geosmin (trans-1, 10-dimethyl-trans-9-decalol) is a key compound which causes taste and odour (T&O) issues in water. Despite no recorded health hazards, water consumers reject the water with geosmin due to its unpleasant earthy T&O. Cyanobacteria are prokaryotes, grow in light habitats preferring neutral or alkaline conditions and recorded to produce geosmin. The aim of this study was to screen any correlation between geosmin and cyanobacteria. Geosmin contamination level in 12 raw water bodies used to drinking and treatment purposes in Sri Lanka covering 5 districts (Anuradhapura, Pollonnaruwa, Ampara, Batticcaloe and Trincomalee) were analyzed using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry coupled with Solid-phase micro extraction. Enumeration and identification of cyanobacteria was carried out using standard APHA method. Prominent cyanobacteria identified were Anabaena sp., Microcystis sp., Oscillatoria sp. and Cylindrospermopsis sp. Geosmin levels ranged from 7.8 to 10.9 ppt where the highest level was recorded in Nuwara tank (10.9 ppt) and the lowest was detected in Nallachchiya tank (7.8 ppt). Jayanthi tank, Sagama tank, Kondavatuwana tank, Unnichchi tank and Kantale tank hadgeosmin levels below 1.5 ppt (Minimum detection level 1.5 ppt) during the sampling time. 68% of the sampling locations exceeded the human threshold level (5 ppt). According to a questionnaire survey, more than 95% end water consumers rejected drinking water contaminated with geosmin (N=200). Total Cyanobacteria cell Density (T.C.D) was positively correlated with geosmin and total phosphorous (p<0.05).Moreover Oscillatoria sp., Anabaena sp. and Cylindrospermopsis sp.densities showed significant positive correlations (p< 0.05) with geosmin contamination levels along Pearson Correlation Coefficients (P.C.C) of 0.765, 0.750 and 0.620 accordingly. However there was no significant correlation observed between Microcystis sp. and geosmin. Further geosmin showed significant positive correlation (p<0.05) with total phosphrous (P.C.C 0.850), electrical conductivity (EC) (P.C.C 0.796), and pH (P.C.C 0.788). Increment of pH value leading to alkalinity is a known optimum condition for cyanobacteria growth while the current study shows alkalinity is favorable for geosmin. No significant correlation was obtained between total nitrogen (Addition of Nitrate-N, Nitrite-N, Ammonia-N) and geosmin nor T.C.D and total nitrogen. According to Nitrogen to Phosphorous (N:P) ratio, Jayanthi tank, Sagama tank, Nachchadoowa tank, Kala tank, Nallachchiya tank, Thuruwila tank and Parakrama Samudra had nitrogen limiting situation (N:P<10), whereas Kondawatuwanana tank, Unnachchi tank, Kanthale tank and Tissa tank had phosphorus limiting situation (N:P>17). Nuwara tank had a N: P ratio of 16.2 which signifies either nitrogen or phosphorous can be limited (N: P=10-17). Based on total nitrogen and total phosphorous values, Jayanthi tank, Sagama tank, Kondawatuwanana tank and Unnachchi tank classified to be Oligotrophic and Nachchadoowa tank, Kala tank, Nallachchiya tank, Thuruwila tank, Tissa tank and Nuwara tank to be Eutrophic status. Thus, the results of the study indicate there is a direct positive variation between geosmin, cyanobacteria and total phosphorous.Keywords: Geosmin, Cyanobacteria, N:P ratio, Solid-phase micro extraction, Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometr