Abstract-In the current information society, the need for securing human resources acquired with ICT competency is becoming a significant factor. Information Communication Technology (ICT) competency describes more than awareness or driving license level of using computing facilities and networking services to carry out different tasks. Undergraduates of a university will become knowledge workers in the society and they should acquire the knowledge, skills and attitudes using the modern ICT technology to carry out their job tasks effectively. This paper presents the current status of ICT Competency in Sri Lankan Universities with respect to both the knowledge and skill requirements of knowledge workers in the job market. However, there are several obstacles are affecting this development and the paper discuss the qualitative assessment of these obstacles in detail. In this study, we propose a new framework for enhancing the ICT Competency among a large number of undergraduates in the University system. This framework consists of two main components namely Infrastructure Development and Virtual Learning Environment. In the component, Infrastructure Development new facilities are provided such as computers, networks and Internet facilities, human resource management and other support services in order to solve the problems identified. Under the Virtual Learning Environment, we propose three levels for undergraduates to address the curriculums of ICT competency. The first two levels are declared with respect to the common ICT Competency Certification and level 3 is declared considering special requirements of curriculum or subject streams.

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The study's objective was to develop a comprehensive definition for operational excellence (OE) while identifying its attributes, most suitable theoretical lens and dimensions. Attributes of OE were collected by evaluating 32 existing definitions of OE and interviewing 30 OE experts. A focus group interview with 15 OE experts was employed to consensus on the critical attributes and tentative dimensions of OE. Content analysis was employed for data analysis. Continuous improvement of sustainable operational performance, deriving sustainable competitive advantages and implementing the operation strategy consistently and reliably were determined as the critical attributes. Based on the identified critical attributes of OE, the Resource-Based Theory (RBT) was recognized as the most applicable theory for explaining OE. Based on the identified theoretical lens and identified critical attributes, the new definition of OE involves, ‘utilization of valuable, rare, costly to imitate and non-substitutable resources & capabilities to execute the operations strategy consistently and reliably as the organization can achieve: a continuous improvement of the sustainable operational performance and sustainable competitive advantages while upholding the satisfaction of employees, customers, suppliers and other important stakeholders.' Continuous improvement of sustainable operational performance and sustainable competitive advantages were determined as the possible dimensions of OE.  Keywords: Operational Excellence; Resource-Based Theory; Construct Definition, Operational Performance, Competitive Advantages

The current study attempts to examine what exists in the operational excellence body of literature, explore the research gaps, and point out future research directions in the operational excellence context, by conducting a Systematic Literature Review (SLR). A carefully selected sample of 43 papers published within the 2009-2021-time period was analysed to achieve these research objectives. The results of the study were presented under nine different themes; distribution of papers across years, geographical area, industrial sectors, publication venue, research methods, research area, theory application, knowledge contribution, gaps and future research directions. Very little attention on the effect of capabilities (operational and dynamic capabilities) on operational excellence, less application of theoretical base for explaining operational excellence, not researched in some industrial sectors, countries and continents, a very least attention on psychometric scale development, and mixed-method research approach were identified as the existing research gaps in the operational excellence context. The present SLR is beneficial for academics, researchers, practitioners, and policymakers since it explains the current knowledge and gaps in an operational excellent research context.