Evidence for overwintering and autochthonous transmission of Usutu virus to wild birds following its redetection in the United Kingdom

Usutu virus (USUV) is an emerging zoonotic arbovirus in Europe, where it primarily impacts Eurasian blackbirds (Turdus merula). For mosquito-borne viruses to persist in temperate areas, transovarial transmission in vectors or overwintering in either hosts or diapausing vectors must occur to facilitate autochthonous transmission. We undertook surveillance of hosts and vectors in 2021 to elucidate whether USUV had overwintered in the United Kingdom (UK) following its initial detection there in 2020. From 175 dead bird submissions, we detected 1 case of USUV infection, in a blackbird, from which a full USUV genome was derived. Using a molecular clock analysis, we demonstrate that the 2021 detection shared a most recent common ancestor with the 2020 Greater London, UK, USUV sequence. In addition, we identified USUV-specific neutralizing antibodies in 10 out of 86 serum samples taken from captive birds at the index site, demonstrating in situ cryptic infection and potential sustained transmission. However, from 4966 mosquitoes, we detected no USUV RNA suggesting that prevalence in the vector community was absent or low during sampling. Combined, these results suggest that USUV overwintered in the UK, thus providing empirical evidence for the continued northward expansion of this vector-borne viral disease. Currently, our detection indicates geographically restricted virus persistence. Further detections over time will be required to demonstrate long-term establishment. It remains unclear whether the UK, and by extension other high-latitude regions, can support endemic USUV infection

Western and eastern approaches to crisis management for global tourism: some differences

This chapter briefly sketches the evolution of approaches to crisis management in the West and discusses the extent to which responses to a crisis are determined or at least substantially shaped by one's national culture. In the context of the expanding global tourism industry, it is argued that the issue of the cultural architecture of crisis management cannot be ignored. Crisis management in Malaysia is discussed, providing an example of approaches to crisis management in a non-Western context

The dual paradigm nature of knowledge management: implications for achieving quality outcomes in human resource management

Two paradigm orientations exist in the emerging field of knowledge management (KM). In one paradigm, information technology predominantly influences ideas about knowledge management. In the other, organizational learning is the major influence. For KM to contribute effectively to organizational strategy, organizations must build and strengthen the linkages between KM, human resource management (HRM), and business development. The dual paradigm nature of KM suggests that strategies driven by information technology exhibit quite different characteristics to those driven by organizational learning, the former being driven by technology, while the latter is dominated more by a focus on people. It is important for HR practitioners to understand how certain paradigm orientations to KM can lead to very different paths into thinking about HRM practices and can result in a lack of continuity between various strategic initiatives in an organization. In turn, quality initiatives in HRM will be affected. Suggestions for dealing with the dual paradigm nature of KM are also offered

Changing attitudes to intellectual property rights in China: the nexus between Chinese culture and the rule of law

Many aspects of intellectual property rights (IPR) in China are canvassed in the literature. In this treatment of IPR, the cultural architecture of IPR is often promoted as the paramount explanation of the piracy of intellectual property in China. Notwithstanding culture's influence, the recent experience of Taiwan, a country with a similar cultural profile to that of China, suggests that China has the potential to establish a functional regime for IPR. This development, however, requires appropriate incentives and new norms for IPR. This paper identifies and analyses aspects of the cultural, social, economic, historical, and political architecture of IPR in China. While not downgrading the influence of culture on attitude formation, the experience of Taiwan indicates that the piracy of IPR

Government relations and managing political risks

[Extract - English translation] Since the early civilization of human beings, trade activities cross borders and regions have occurred. The discovery of rich materials located in distant lands stimulated the excitingly historical exploration. Almost all the fortunes created by the industrial revolutionary were manufactured like this: taking raw materials obtained in one region to another one to process, then selling the products worldwide. It has been 200 years since this kind of trade model was defined as international trade. However, the con cept of globalization that came into being during the past years has a profound meaning. For business activities, globalization means integrating all the activities on the world scale. For many industries, investment, research, production, distribution and marketing are increasingly becoming globalized

Cultural values, workplace behavior and productivity in China: A conceptual framework for practising managers

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to examine the influence of the Chinese cultural architecture on motivating workplace behaviour for enhanced productivity in Chinese workplaces. Design/methodology/approach: The paper describes the Chinese cultural architecture and presents a cursory review of the substantive literature in this field. Based on this review, a conceptual framework for managing within Chinese organizations is presented, based on the first-hand experience in the field as well as anecdotal evidence provided by practitioners in international management. Findings: In the light of research, which suggests that the realities about motivation in the context of Chinese workplaces are more complicated than originally thought, this paper moves away from viewing Chinese workplace behaviour from a purely systems-based perspective. Although ideas about collectivism and individualism certainly explain important aspects of workplace behaviour, an orientation to practicality and the emotive side of life in Chinese workplaces also affects behaviour in quite subtle ways. Research limitations/implications: While the development of a conceptual framework for practicing managers provides a guide to managing in China, work that is more empirical is necessary to test the resilience of the framework. Practical implications: The paper offers practical steps to improve the performance and productivity of both managers and employees in Chinese organizations. Originality/value: The framework presented utilizes the conventional collectivism/individualism dichotomy with notions of practicality and emotion in Chinese workplaces. This is one potential step forward to the development of a more motivating management style in China

Culture and globalization in the curriculum: Theory, cases and practice

Globalization has profound implications for and impacts on national and organizational cultures, on human resource practices and human resources management, on the organization of production and the social organization of labour. Globalization is also having profound repercussions for education in the broad field of business and management, including internationalization of education markets and of curricula. Internationalization of education necessitates the inclusion of cultural and cross-cultural issues and perspectives both in curricula and in management development programs. Reports in The Australian¿s Higher Education Supplement (September 15 2004) testify to concerns both among MBA and Executive Education directors in Australia and internationally, as well as among national and multinational business executives, about the importance of education and training in cultural awareness and cultural sensitivity. However, much of the attention to culture in business curricula has been superficial, often focusing on culture in an instrumental mode, simply as adding economic value to corporations. There is a need for critical, research-grounded approaches to culture, yet, at the same time presented in ways that are accessible to students in business fields. This paper outlines theoretical issues and debates around culture in the business curriculum. It then draws upon Australian and international examples of approaches to and uses of culture in business education, and compares methods of instruction and management development focusing on culture, in order to illustrate innovative practices and new directions

Changing attitudes to intellectual property rights in China: the nexus between Chinese culture and the rule of law

Many aspects of intellectual property rights (IPR) in China are canvassed in the literature. In this treatment of IPR, the cultural architecture of IPR is often promoted as the paramount explanation of the piracy of intellectual property in China. Notwithstanding culture's influence, the recent experience of Taiwan, a country with a similar cultural profile to that of China, suggests that China has the potential to establish a functional regime for IPR. This development, however, requires appropriate incentives and new norms for IPR. This paper identifies and analyses aspects of the cultural, social, economic, historical, and political architecture of IPR in China. While not downgrading the influence of culture on attitude formation, the experience of Taiwan indicates that the piracy of IPR