Beyond hybridization: the genetic impacts of non-reproductive ecological interactions of salmon aquaculture on wild populations

Cultured Atlantic salmon Salmo salar are of international socioeconomic value, and the process of domestication has resulted in significant behavioural, morphological, and allelic differences from wild populations. Substantial evidence indicates that direct genetic interactions or interbreeding between wild and escaped farmed Atlantic salmon occurs, genetically altering wild salmon and reducing population viability. However, genetic interactions may also occur through ecological mechanisms (e.g. disease, parasites, predation, competition), both in conjunction with and in the absence of interbreeding. Here we examine existing evidence for ecological and non-reproductive genetic interactions between domestic Atlantic salmon and wild populations and the potential use of genetic and genomic tools to resolve these impacts. Our review identified examples of genetic changes resulting from ecological processes, predominately through pathogen or parasite transmission. In addition, many examples were identified where aquaculture activities have either altered the selective landscape experienced by wild populations or resulted in reductions in population abundance, both of which are consistent with the widespread occurrence of indirect genetic changes. We further identify opportunities for genetic or genomic methods to quantify these impacts, though careful experimental design and pre-impact comparisons are often needed to accurately attribute genetic change to aquaculture activities. Our review indicates that ecological and non-reproductive genetic interactions are important, and further study is urgently needed to support an integrated understanding of aquaculture-ecosystem interactions, their implications for ecosystem stability, and the development of potential mitigation and management strategies

A migration-associated supergene reveals loss of biocomplexity in Atlantic cod

Chromosome structural variation may underpin ecologically important intraspecific diversity by reducing recombination within supergenes containing linked, coadapted alleles. Here, we confirm that an ancient chromosomal rearrangement is strongly associated with migratory phenotype and individual genetic structure in Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) across the Northwest Atlantic. We reconstruct trends in effective population size over the last century and reveal declines in effective population size matching onset of industrialized harvest (after 1950). We find different demographic trajectories between individuals homozygous for the chromosomal rearrangement relative to heterozygous or homozygous individuals for the noninverted haplotype, suggesting different selective histories across the past 150 years. These results illustrate how chromosomal structural diversity can mediate fine-scale genetic, phenotypic, and demographic variation in a highly connected marine species and show how overfishing may have led to loss of biocomplexity within Northern cod stock.Peer reviewe

A conceptual model for sustainable supply chain operation in fashion industry

Abstract The global shifting of production insists the fashion brands and retailers to focus more on the operational efficiency to take the cost advantage and simultaneously fulfill the demand quickly. But the contemporary market urges to do it also in sustainable way. The purpose of this paper is to investigate what are the considerations for sustainable operation. A literature review is made to learn the researchers’ considerations for sustainable supply chain management (SSCM). A hierarchy is constructed to classify the aspects of sustainability in different levels for social, environmental and economic compliance with the addition of product compliance as a similarly important consideration for sustainability in the fashion supply chain (FSC). A frame work presented for sustainable supply chain operation (SSCO) by highlighting the key practices in the FSC. The presented supply chain (SC) model considered the operational level topics from the hierarchy. This study is an endeavour to substantiate the significance of the integration of product sustainability at the operational level through inter-relationship in the R&D phase by multiparty in the SC who are working with the same goal. This framework provides the insights for the stakeholders in the FSC about the key relationships among the parties at operational level

Organisational maturity and functional performance

Abstract This article examines the maturity of company practises from two different perspectives. The overall management system is analysed by using the People Capability Maturity Model. The maturity of an operational function is scrutinised by using the Verification and Validation Maturity Model (V2M2). Verification and Validation (V&V) was chosen as an example as it has become a challenging function for the management of the high technology sector. Even the best performer in the managerial maturity analyses, a major Scandinavian telecom company has significant difficulties with the V&V maturity. Typically, small and medium sized companies should concentrate on developing their overall management system before they can reach high maturity in single operational functions

Collaboration Knowledge Ontologies to Support Knowledge Management and Sharing in Virtual Organisations

This paper focuses on representing collaboration knowledge in the context of a Virtual Organisation (VO). Knowledge representation embodies the characteristics of a VO from its incubation, formation, operation and termination. It is necessary to scope and identify all the collaboration knowledge utilised in a VO’s life cycle. The classification of collaboration knowledge or knowledge repositories is described in terms of 3 different types of organisations: individual enterprises, collaboration pools and VOs. Therefore collaboration knowledge falls into three main categories: enterprise knowledge, collaboration pool knowledge and VO knowledge. Later they are elucidated in ontology. The terms and concepts are defined and considered to be consistent with each other

Critical factors for an effective business value chain

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to identify critical factors for effective business value chains in the electrical and electronic industries. This knowledge can benefit private firms as well as their supplier management and customer fulfillment, and public agencies for relevant policy initiatives. Design/methodology/approach - The research methodology includes the survey development and the statistical analyses, especially the use of the Pearson correlation. Altogether, a total of 129 firms participated in this study, 97 companies from Hong Kong and 32 firms from Thailand. Included in this methodology are a pre-test of a survey and follow-up discussions with participating executives. Findings - An effective business value chain essentially depends on good operational systems and management, and information and communication technology (ICT) linkages with both suppliers and customers. There are a total of five critical factors for effective business value chains. For example, an effective business value chain is influenced by how well production and delivery systems are managed. In addition, how well a manufacturer can manage its operation is influenced by customers with effective information and communication infrastructures. Practical implications - The five identified factors can be used as a checklist for planning and/or monitoring the effectiveness of a business value chain. The findings also helps develop a new initiative to be undertaken by Thailand's Department of Industrial Work when attempting to strengthen business value chains within various industrial clusters. Originality/value - The findings underline the need to focus on data harmonization and to adapt ICT standards, such as Control Objectives for Information and related Technology COBIT and Projects in Controlled Environments PRINCE for data sharing and software development, to promote supplier audits when sustaining a business value chain.Department of Industrial and Systems Engineerin

Leagility in fashion supply chains:the potential of integration for managing complexity

Abstract Offshore manufacturing and outsourcing trend in recent days in fashion industry complicates their supply chain (SC). This study focuses to this perplexity and assesses the potentiality of leagility to achieve required competitiveness in such circumstances. The nature of the fashion supply chain is recapitulated and the aspect of leagility is observed within existing literature and through case studies. The tendency of global sourcing, e.g., quick supply of manufacture economically obliges them to rethink the SC strategy and leagility is beneficent in this context in absorbing the turbulence. This research provides a direction to the retailers unsure about the apt strategy by demonstrating the relevance of leagility in fashion SC. It also builds the base for further deeper study for implement the concept in different part of manufacturing chain

An intermediary as a trust enabler in a spatial business ecosystem

Abstract Business ecosystems have changed the nature of competition among regions. Various organisations have been established to catalyse local innovation, such as CONNECT in San Diego, California, USA. This study explores the role of an intermediary organisation in establishing trust in a business ecosystem. This paper presents literature findings on business ecosystems, innovation in a spatial context, trust, and previous studies about San Diego. The empirical part of the study includes an analysis of the health and life sciences business ecosystem in San Diego, the role of trust, and how an intermediary organisation contributes to the ecosystem. The study demonstrates that trust is important for the ecosystem’s success, and an intermediary organisation can increase the trust among the actors. The results indicate that decision-makers should invest in accelerator and mentoring programmes to catalyse local innovation. Additionally, ecosystem members should participate in the intermediaries’ activities to strengthen their ecosystem