10th CIPM International Research Symposium Proceedings 2026

Impact of Remote Work on Employee Engagement of Executive Level Employees in IT Companies in Sri Lanka

Fri, 10 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Impact of Remote Work on Employee Engagement of Executive Level Employees in IT Companies in Sri Lanka Sandamini, T M S; Gunasekara, V M Remote work has become common in the IT industry, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic. While it offers flexibility and comfort, it can also cause problems such as poor communication, loneliness, and low engagement. Therefore, supervisor support is important to keep employees motivated when working from home. This study examines the impact of remote work on employee engagement in selected IT companies in Sri Lanka and the moderating role of supervisor support. Data were collected from 134 IT employees of executive level using a questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS. The results show that remote work positively affects employee engagement. Employees feel more energetic, dedicated, and focused when they have flexible work arrangements. The study also found that strong supervisor support improves engagement. Good communication, feedback, appreciation, and guidance from supervisors help remote employees feel connected and motivated. This study highlights the importance of supervisor support in maintaining employee engagement in remote work settings and provides useful insights for IT companies and HR managers.

Hybrid Work Arrangements and Employee Digital Performance A Systematic Review and Bibliometric Analysis

Fri, 10 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Hybrid Work Arrangements and Employee Digital Performance A Systematic Review and Bibliometric Analysis Amarasooriya, Chameera; Perera, Kamani The Hybrid Work Arrangement (HWAS) is an integration of both remote work and on-site work methods. Especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, the way of conceptualization and evaluation of employee performance has shifted from traditional methods to digital methods with the emergence of concepts like Employee Digital Performance (EDP). EDP reflects employees’ ability to effectively perform tasks via digital platforms, virtual collaboration tools, and technology-mediated processes. The current study addresses: prevailing empirical and conceptual evidence on the relationship between hybrid work arrangements and employee digital performance, examines how hybrid work arrangements influence employee digital performance, and identifies the geographical distribution of research on hybrid work arrangements and employee digital performance. For the methodology of this study, according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA), initially, the literature of the articles was reviewed, followed by a Systematic Literature Review (SLR). To meet the research objectives, 104 publications published between 2017 and 2025 were retrieved from the Scopus database, and a bibliometric analysis was conducted. The VOS viewer software is used to visualize the data files. Recent empirical studies reveal that hybrid work generally positively influences employee performance by offering spatial and temporal flexibility and increasing overall job satisfaction. However, the lack of ad-hoc collaborations and delayed communication affects employee performance. By connecting existing literature, this systematic literature review contributes to the emerging body of knowledge on hybrid work arrangements and employee digital performance.

Mission vs. Margins: Sustainability Dilemma in Senior Mental Health Tech

Fri, 10 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Mission vs. Margins: Sustainability Dilemma in Senior Mental Health Tech Gurukiran, S; Ajwal, Roopa A Bengaluru-based social enterprise founded in 2022 pioneered digital mental health solutions tailored for senior citizens in India. Operating in the burgeoning EdTech and healthtech intersection, the company developed user-friendly apps and platforms offering mental wellness exercises, stigma-reduction content, AI chatbots, and virtual support groups. These drew from research on digital tools' role in enhancing psychological well-being among the elderly. Amid India's rapidly aging population—projected to reach 340 million seniors by 2050—and rising mental health challenges post-COVID, the enterprise addressed critical gaps in accessible care, particularly for isolated rural and semi-urban elders facing stigma and mobility barriers. The enterprise scaled impressively, securing seed funding from impact investors and partnerships with NGOs, achieving 500,000 downloads by mid-2025. Its freemium model combined free basic content with premium subscriptions and B2B licensing to hospitals. However, by early 2026, it confronted a profound strategic dilemma: persistent operational losses despite revenue growth. High customer acquisition costs, low premium conversion rates (under 5%), dependency on volatile grants, and scalability hurdles in low-digital-literacy demographics eroded margins. Operational issues compounded the crisis, including tech adaptation challenges for seniors (e.g., poor eyesight, tech phobia), content localization for diverse languages, and data privacy concerns under India's DPDP Act. Financially, burn rate exceeded INR 2 crore monthly, with cash reserves dwindling to three months. Marketing efforts via social media yielded high awareness but shallow engagement, while HR struggles involved retaining mission-driven talent amid competitive salaries from Big Tech. The managerial dilemma centered on the CEO's pivotal choice: pivot to a profitable B2C model targeting urban youth, risking dilution of the social mission; seek a corporate acquisition, potentially compromising autonomy; or double down on impact by slashing costs and pursuing government subsidies, jeopardizing short-term survival? This case illuminates trade-offs in social entrepreneurship, where measuring dual bottom lines—social impact and financial health—demands nuanced decision-making. Suitable for MBA, Executive MBA, and Management Development Programs, the case fosters debate on sustainable business models in mission-driven ventures. It equips participants to navigate ambiguity in impact investing, blending strategic analysis with ethical considerations. Target audience includes future leaders in social enterprises, healthtech, and sustainability-focused firms, emphasizing real-world relevance in India's $10 billion social enterprise ecosystem.

AI-Driven Factors Affecting the Work-Life Balance of Working Women in Sri Lanka’s Development Sector: The Influence of AI Usage, Organisational Support and AI Digital Skills

Sat, 10 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT

AI-Driven Factors Affecting the Work-Life Balance of Working Women in Sri Lanka’s Development Sector: The Influence of AI Usage, Organisational Support and AI Digital Skills Shiroma Kumari Herath, G H M; Keppetipola, Manoaj; Perera, Kamani Work-life balance among professional women in Sri Lanka is shaped by deep-rooted cultural expectations and demanding workplace conditions. In the development sector specifically, project-driven workloads and donor accountability pressures make these challenges even harder to manage. The rapid spread of artificial intelligence (AI) into organisational processes adds another layer of complexity, yet its actual effect on work-life balance among women in this sector has not been properly studied in the Sri Lankan context. This study examined three AI-related predictors of work-life balance: (1) AI usage at the workplace, (2) organisational support for AI use, and (3) AI digital skills, with work-life balance as the dependent variable. The theoretical framework drew on the Technology Acceptance Model (Davis, 1989), Border Theory (Clark, 2000), and Role Theory (Katz & Kahn, 1978). A Sequential Explanatory Mixed Methods design was used, combining quantitative data from 100 female development sector employees with qualitative data from five in-depth interviews. Multiple regression analysis confirmed that AI usage (β = 0.682, p < .001), organisational support (β = 0.725, p < .001), and AI digital skills (β = 0.593, p < .001) each showed a significant positive effect on work-life balance. Qualitative findings reinforced these results. The study contributes empirical evidence from an underexplored context and offers practical guidance for individuals, organisations, and policymakers navigating AI adoption in the development sector.