The evolving SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in Africa: Insights from rapidly expanding genomic surveillance

INTRODUCTION Investment in Africa over the past year with regard to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) sequencing has led to a massive increase in the number of sequences, which, to date, exceeds 100,000 sequences generated to track the pandemic on the continent. These sequences have profoundly affected how public health officials in Africa have navigated the COVID-19 pandemic. RATIONALE We demonstrate how the first 100,000 SARS-CoV-2 sequences from Africa have helped monitor the epidemic on the continent, how genomic surveillance expanded over the course of the pandemic, and how we adapted our sequencing methods to deal with an evolving virus. Finally, we also examine how viral lineages have spread across the continent in a phylogeographic framework to gain insights into the underlying temporal and spatial transmission dynamics for several variants of concern (VOCs). RESULTS Our results indicate that the number of countries in Africa that can sequence the virus within their own borders is growing and that this is coupled with a shorter turnaround time from the time of sampling to sequence submission. Ongoing evolution necessitated the continual updating of primer sets, and, as a result, eight primer sets were designed in tandem with viral evolution and used to ensure effective sequencing of the virus. The pandemic unfolded through multiple waves of infection that were each driven by distinct genetic lineages, with B.1-like ancestral strains associated with the first pandemic wave of infections in 2020. Successive waves on the continent were fueled by different VOCs, with Alpha and Beta cocirculating in distinct spatial patterns during the second wave and Delta and Omicron affecting the whole continent during the third and fourth waves, respectively. Phylogeographic reconstruction points toward distinct differences in viral importation and exportation patterns associated with the Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Omicron variants and subvariants, when considering both Africa versus the rest of the world and viral dissemination within the continent. Our epidemiological and phylogenetic inferences therefore underscore the heterogeneous nature of the pandemic on the continent and highlight key insights and challenges, for instance, recognizing the limitations of low testing proportions. We also highlight the early warning capacity that genomic surveillance in Africa has had for the rest of the world with the detection of new lineages and variants, the most recent being the characterization of various Omicron subvariants. CONCLUSION Sustained investment for diagnostics and genomic surveillance in Africa is needed as the virus continues to evolve. This is important not only to help combat SARS-CoV-2 on the continent but also because it can be used as a platform to help address the many emerging and reemerging infectious disease threats in Africa. In particular, capacity building for local sequencing within countries or within the continent should be prioritized because this is generally associated with shorter turnaround times, providing the most benefit to local public health authorities tasked with pandemic response and mitigation and allowing for the fastest reaction to localized outbreaks. These investments are crucial for pandemic preparedness and response and will serve the health of the continent well into the 21st century

A taxonomic development of manufacturing companies strategic profiles : an application of contingency theory to supply chain practices

Alors que la pression, dans le contexte actuel de concurrence mondialisée, s'accumule sur les managers logistiques afin d'opérationnaliser les stratégies développées par leur hiérarchie, les pratiques logistiques sont de plus en plus diverses et sophistiquées; le choix de telle ou telle pratique pour telle ou telle stratégie devient de moins en moins évident. Si tel que le stipule la théorie de la contingence, les pratiques ne sont pas équivalentes quel que soit le contexte stratégique, quel modèle de performance opérationnelle peut-on proposer? C'est ainsi que nous suggérons dans cette étude la construction d'un modèle taxonomique comprenant stratégies commerciales et concurrentielles des entreprises, pratiques supply chain et performance opérationnelle à partir d'une étude empirique menée au Maroc auprès de 119 entreprises manufacturières. Les résultats de notre investigation confirment l'émergence de cinq profils supply chain d'entreprises issus de la revue de littérature : « Stratégies multiples », « Innovation », « low cost », « Qualité » et « Résiduel ». L'approche configurationnelle nous montre ici que l'alignement de la stratégie commerciale, la stratégie concurrentielle, et la pratique supply chain aboutit à une meilleure performance opérationnelle, par contraste avec les entreprises non alignées du groupe « résiduel ».Pressure, in today's context of globalized competition, is accumulating on the shoulders of logistics managers so they execute the strategies developed by their hierarchy. However, logistics practices are more and more diverse and sophisticated, and the choice of the right practice for the right strategy is less and less obvious. If, as stated by Contingency Theory, practices are not equivalent in any given strategic context, which operational performance model can be suggested? Hence, we develop a taxonomic model comprising generic strategies, competitive priorities, supply chain practices and operational performance based on the empirical study of 119 manufacturing Moroccan companies. Our investigation confirms the emergence of five supply chain profiles which resulted from our literature review: “Multiple strategies”, “Innovation”, “Low Cost”, “Quality” and “Residual” profiles. The configuration approach indicates here that the alignment of generics strategies with the competitive priorities and the supply chain practices lead to better operational performance, in contrast with the unaligned companies of the residual group

A bibliometric analysis of reverse logistics from 1992 to 2017

International audiencePurpose This paper presents a bibliometric analysis of RL with the aim of unveiling its intellectual structure. It also suggests a theoretical framework of related fields often ambiguously studied such as SCM, GSCM, CLSCM, and SSCM.Design/methodology/approach This research first defines Reverse Logistics (RL) with respect to other closely related theoretical fields such as Closed-Loop, Green and Sustainable Supply Chain Management. The building blocks of RL since 1992 are then derived through both a unidimensional and a multidimensional analysis. The discussion results in a conceptual map which shows how these fields relate to each other. Finally, trends and future directions of research are identified.Findings The cocitation map results in a four cluster configuration: (1) Green Supply Chain Management, (2) RL network design, (3) Remanufacturing and (4) RL concepts and practices.Originality/valueThe novel contribution of this research is the application of bibliometric methods to characterize the RL discipline, and the results are complementary to those obtained by other researchers using a traditional qualitative literature review. The results obtained may be useful to both new and established researchers in identifying future directions for research

Une analyse bibliométrique de la reverse logistique depuis 1992 à 2017.

International audienc

Une analyse bibliométrique de la reverse logistique depuis 1992 à 2017.

International audienc

Une analyse bibliométrique de la reverse logistique depuis 1992 à 2017.

International audienc

A bibliometric analysis of reverse logistics from 1992 to 2017

International audiencePurpose This paper presents a bibliometric analysis of RL with the aim of unveiling its intellectual structure. It also suggests a theoretical framework of related fields often ambiguously studied such as SCM, GSCM, CLSCM, and SSCM.Design/methodology/approach This research first defines Reverse Logistics (RL) with respect to other closely related theoretical fields such as Closed-Loop, Green and Sustainable Supply Chain Management. The building blocks of RL since 1992 are then derived through both a unidimensional and a multidimensional analysis. The discussion results in a conceptual map which shows how these fields relate to each other. Finally, trends and future directions of research are identified.Findings The cocitation map results in a four cluster configuration: (1) Green Supply Chain Management, (2) RL network design, (3) Remanufacturing and (4) RL concepts and practices.Originality/valueThe novel contribution of this research is the application of bibliometric methods to characterize the RL discipline, and the results are complementary to those obtained by other researchers using a traditional qualitative literature review. The results obtained may be useful to both new and established researchers in identifying future directions for research

Approche historique de la logistique inversée : vers un état des lieux d’un champ en structuration

International audienc

La logistisation du monde

Moins médiatisée que la révolution digitale, une autre révolution, plus discrète et pourtant tout aussi bouleversante pour notre monde, s’est opérée au cours des dernières décennies : celle de la logistique. L’ouvrage revient sur cette « logistisation » du monde, à travers 56 chroniques. Destinées à un grand public, elles ont été écrites par des chercheurs du CRET-LOG, qui constitue le principal centre de recherche en logistique en France. Rédigées dans un langage clair, ces courtes chroniques donnent au lecteur les clefs pour comprendre de manière globale et systémique la révolution logistique. Les chroniques sont réunies en huit parties, qui couvrent tout le spectre de la logistique contemporaine : son omniprésence et son universalité son rôle stratégique pour les entreprises sa place de support à la consommation l’industrie logistique qui la sous-tend la façon dont elle crée de la valeur son rôle de levier vers un développement plus durable les enjeux politiques de la logistique les liens industrie-recherche en logistique. L’ouvrage a l’ambition de médiatiser et diffuser largement la pensée logistique auprès du grand public et intéressera tous ceux qui veulent comprendre les évolutions de notre monde