#DRCongo: where a decade of failed democracy has exposed the electoral fallacy

Dr Suda Perera argues that the current political crisis in DR Congo demonstrates that the idea that a fairly-won election is necessary to create a certain and solid basis for democratic state-building is faulty

Impact of Employee-Organization Congruence on Job Satisfaction and Job Performance among Factory Employees in the Sri Lankan Large Apparel Sector

In the field of human resource management, the previous researchers emphasized the employee-organization congruence (EOC) had a significant relationship with the job performance of employees in various sectors. However slight attention has been paid to conceptual constructs such as job satisfaction as a mediator between the EOC and job performance. Thus, this paper attempts to fill this gap by empirically examining the impact of EOC on job satisfaction and job performance among factory employees in 17 large apparel firms in Sri Lanka. A total of 384 self-administered questionnaires were distributed among respondents and 328 usable questionnaires were returned, yielding a response rate of 85%. The data was analyzed by using descriptive analysis and structural equation methods (SEM). The study discloses that EOC has significant positive relationships with job performance. Further, job satisfaction mediates the relationship between EOC and job performance. Therefore, the study findings suggest that the better EOC in the large apparel sector not only leads to better performance but also linked to satisfaction of factory employees. Keywords: Employee-Organization Congruence, Job Performance, Job Satisfaction, Sri Lankan Apparel Sector, Structural Equation Method

Virtual DOM Implementation in KissJS

In this fast-paced modern world, time is a major asset for most people, including web developers. When developing web applications, the language or framework being used should help the developer create applications fast and efficiently, but at the same time it should be simple enough for them to grasp it quickly. This proposed framework takes into consideration the pros and cons of modern Single Page Application (SPA) development frameworks and tries to use some their approaches to achieve efficiency, and at the same time use its own ways to simplify other tasks that are complex in the aforementioned frameworks. The main objective this framework will try to accomplish is simplify the state management process. However, this paper will focus on the change detection aspect of the framework. The method of change detection used in the framework is the virtual DOM. Reasons for moving forward with this approach will be discussed later in the paper

Nanoclays‑containing bio‑based packaging materials: properties, applications, safety, and regulatory issues

Food packaging is an important concept for consumer satisfaction and the increased shelf life of food products. The introduction of novel food packaging materials has become an emerging trend in recent years, which could be mainly due to environmental pollution caused by plastic packaging and to reduce food waste. Recently, numerous studies have been carried out on nanoclays or nanolayered silicate to be used in packaging material development as reinforcing filler composites. Different types of nanoclays have been used as food packaging materials, while montmorillonite (MMT), halloysite, bentonite (BT), Cloisite, and organically modified nanoclays have become of great interest. The incorporation of nanoclays into the packaging matrix improves the mechanical and barrier properties and at the same time prolongs the biodegradation of the packaging material. The purpose of this article is to examine the development of nanoclay-based food packaging materials. The review article highlights the current state of research on bio-based polymers with nanoclay for food packaging. In addition, the report analyses the mechanical, barrier, and antibacterial characteristics of nanoclay-based food packaging materials. Finally, it discusses the migration of nanoclays, toxicity levels, and the legislation associated with the application of nanoclays

Impact of Occupational Safety and Health Practices on Job Satisfaction: A Study in Selected Large Scale Apparel Firms in Colombo District

This study attempts to identify the impact of occupational safety and health practices of jumpers on job satisfaction in selected large scale apparel firms in Colombo district. The main aim of this study is to reduce the prevailing empirical gap pertaining to the impact of occupational safety and health practices on job satisfaction among jumpers. Thus, the research problem of this study is what the impact of occupational safety and health practices of jumpers is on job satisfaction among jumpers in selected large scale apparel firms in Colombo district? The data were collected from 86 jumpers in three large apparel firms in Colombo district using simple random sampling method. Primary data collection was through a self-administrated questionnaire consisting of 40 statements with five point Likert scale. The data analyses are used based on the univariate and bivariate methods of SPSS. This study found out that the occupational safety and health practices are positively correlated with job satisfaction of jumpers in selected large scale apparel firms in Colombo district. It is concluded that the occupational safety and health practices are positively correlated with job satisfaction of jumpers in selected large scale apparel firms in Colombo district. All the five dimensions of OSH practices have a positive impact on job satisfactions and indicated statistically significant. Further, it was revealed that there was a high favorable level of job satisfaction and occupational safety and health among the jumpers in the sample.Keywords: Job Satisfaction, Jumpers, Safety and Health Practices, Large Scale Apparel Firms

The Impact of Welfare Facilities on Job Satisfaction among Team Leaders in Off Road Tyre Manufacturing Industry

The main focus of this study is on the impact of welfare facilities on job satisfaction among team leaders in Off Road Tyre Manufacturing Industry. The research problem for the study is 'how the existing welfare facilities create an impact on job satisfaction among Team Leaders in Off Road Tyre Manufacturing Industry’. The  universal sampling method  was used  for data collection and the sample consisted of 100 team leaders from  the Off Road Tyre Manufacturing Industry A self-administered questionnaire consisting  of 32 statements with 5 point Llikert Scale  were distributed and the  data thus collected were analyzed using univariate and bivariate analysers with the SPSS (Version 16.0). The finding of the study revealed that there is a significant positive relationship between the employee welfare facilities and the job satisfaction. The result of the Pearson correlation between the two variables of non-executive was 0.593 which was positive. Also, all the hypotheses were determined on the analysis data. It is concluded that the welfare facilities are positively correlated with high level of job satisfaction of team leader employees in Off Road Tyre Manufacturing Industry. Further this study supported the view that the welfare facilities help to increase the standard of living of team leader employees.                                                                Keywords: Job Satisfaction, Manufacturing Industry, Team Leaders, Welfare Facilitie

The Effect of Recruitment Practices on Employee Retention in Selected Large Scale Apparel Firms in Kandy District, Sri Lanka

The main focus of this study is to identify the effect of recruitment practices on employee retention in selected large scale apparel firms in Kandy district. In literature, there is an empirical and theoretical knowledge gap of relationship between the recruitment practices and employee retention. Therefore, the problem of this study is that ‘is there an effect of recruitment practices on employee retention in selected large scale apparel firms in Kandy district?’ This study is in a mixed approach. Under the  quantitative approach, the data were collected from a randomly selected sample of 127 sewing machine operators (SMOs) in selected large scale apparel firms in Kandy district by using a structured questionnaire consisting of 47 statements with five point Likert scales.  In the process of data analysis under this, both univariate and bivariate analytical methods with the SPSS (16.0 Versions) were used .Under the qualitative approach, several interviews were carried out with 2 respondents. This study found out that there was a significant positive relationship between the recruitment practices and the employee retention in selected large scale apparel firms in Kandy district. Further, it revealed that the employee retention is positively correlated with the recruitment strategies and the recruitment policy. It is concluded that there was a positive effect of recruitment practices on employee retention in selected large scale apparel firms in Kandy district and it is essential for the  HR department in the apparel firms to have much concern on these recruitment practices and follow them effectively in order to improve the employee retention.Keywords: Apparel Firms, Employee Retention, Kandy District, Recruitment Practice

The Impact of Job Stress on Turnover Intention: A Study of Reputed Apparel Firm in Sri Lanka

This study attempts to identify the impact of job stress on turnover intention among machine operators in reputed apparel firm in Sri Lanka. Due to high level of turnover among machine operators, Presently Sri Lankan apparel industry faces a greater difficulties and it is noted that little attempt has been taken by the researchers to integrate the job stress with turnover intention in Sri Lankan literature. Hence problem of this study is to investigate ‘How the job stress causes an impact on turnover intention among machine operators in reputed apparel firm in Sri Lanka’. This study is conducted under the mixed research method and data were collected through a self-administered questionnaire consisting of 23 questions with five point Likert scale ranging from “strongly agree” to “strongly disagree”. In addition to that, data were collected through structured interviews with ten resigned employees. Under the universal sampling method, data were collected from 90 machine operators currently employed in the selected apparel firms. Data thus collected were analyzed using SPPS computer package having the univariate and bivariate analyses. Findings of the research revealed that there is a positive impact of job stress on turnover intention among machine operators in reputed apparel firms in Sri Lanka. It was concluded that there is a positive impact of job stress on turnover intention which means that majority of machine operators have a high degree of job stress. Further, this study also supported the view that the managers of apparel firms should get strategic steps to reduce job stress and turnover intention among the employees.Keywords: Apparel Firm, Job Stress, Machine Operators, Turnover Intentio

The Impact of Safety and Health on Job Satisfaction in Selected Branches of Utility Service Supply Organization in Western Province North in Sri Lanka

The main focus of this study is on the impact of safety and health on job satisfaction in selected branches of Utility Service Supply Organization in Western Province North. The research problem for the study is to identify, ‘how safety and health impact on job satisfaction among field employees in selected branches of Utility Service Supply Organization in Western province north?’The universal sampling method was used to collect data from 116 field employees in Utility Supply Organization in Western province north with a structured questionnaire indicating the statements of safety and health as well as job satisfaction with 5 points Likert Scale. Data thus collected were subject to analysis using univariate, correlation and regression analysis with the SPSS (16.0 Versions). It was found that there was a positive impact of safety and health on job satisfaction among field employees in selected branches of Utility Service Supply Organization in Western province north. The results of the simple regression analysis showed that the safety and health have the ability to predict the variance of job satisfaction by nearly 46.6%. It is concluded that there is a positive impact of safety and health on job satisfaction of field employees. If the safety and health in selected branches of Utility Service Supply Organization are further increased, the job satisfaction among field employees could be further enhanced.Keywords: Field Employees, Safety and Health, Job Satisfactio

Impact of Psychological Contract on Job Behavior of Non- Executive Employees in Selected Government Organizations in Sri Lanka

This study discusses the impact of psychological contract on job behavior of non -Executive employees in selected government sector organizations in Sri Lanka. The main objective of this study is to find out whether there is a relationshipbetween psychological contract and job behavior.  Hence, the research problem of this study is “how psychological contract impact on job behavior of non-executive employees in selected government sector organizations in Sri Lanka?’ The data in this regard  were collected from  a randomly selected sample of 100 non-executive employees of selected government sector organizations and, for the purpose,astructured questionnaireconsisting of 46 questions/statements with 5 point Likert scale was used  The data analysis was carried out under the univariate and bivariate analysers. There is a strong positive relationship among the all independent variables and job behavior of the non-executives in the government sector organizations in Sri Lanka. It is concluded that there was a strong positive relationship between the two variables: the psychological contract and the job behavior. It was recommended that there should be awareness in the management of the relationship between two variables and various programs that are used to enhance and sustain the favorable level of psychological contract of non-executive employees.Keywords: Executive Employees, Job Behavior, Psychological Contrac