EMERGING BUSINESSES: THE SOUTH AFRICAN WINE INDUSTRY CASE

Emerging economies such as South Africa, only a few years out of apartheid, have been feeling the strains of socio-political change. While South Africa has experienced political reform, economic reform and access are slow to come. Currently, South Africa is the 7th largest producer of wine in the world. Although this industry is impressive, the apartheid era production practices have caused primarily the European consumers and media to be vocal about this issue. However, this concern has spread to other regions. The South African government and wine industry must respond to the external and internal market pressures and minimize transaction costs. Both entities want to increase wine exports and expand market share, however, given the socio-economic and political climate in the country neither knows how to manage this difficult process which emanates from deeply rooted distrust of groups within the country. Socio-political constraints facing previously disadvantaged groups (PDG) as emerging business owners need to be understood; and, measures which could be undertaken by government and industry need to be identified. The objectives of this research were to identify: institutional constraints and transaction costs faced by PDGs aspiring toward production and leadership roles in the wine industry; ways the government can collaborate with the KWV to build social capital and promote PDG ownership in the wine industry, thus minimizing social conflict; and, identify industry strategies to increase exports and international market share under the "New South Africa" banner. This analysis was based on primary and secondary data and information gathered on site. Several potential solutions were suggested for ways to include PDGs in the South African wine market while minimizing the impact on the market shares of existing producers. It is anticipated that the window of opportunity to increase exports and involve PDG is quite small.Agribusiness,

A Multi-Factor User Interface Components Layout Problem

This paper presents a multi-factor layout model which combines the qualitative and quantitative factors for the facilities layout problem.  The proposed model is applied to the design of the user interface in order to obtain the best layout of the facilities in which the closeness rating scores are evaluated by using the Goals, Operators, Methods, and Selection (GOMS) technique. The results of the proposed model are compared with that of an existing model to obtain the layouts of user interface components. The model developed here has significant relevance for facility layout design in achieving an optimal interface by structuring the layout of a building to enhance and support production. The user interface model provides support for quick response to changes in customer demand and inventory planning particularly in such an area where timely transfer of information is crucial

A Multi-Factor User Interface Components Layout Problem

This paper presents a multi-factor layout model which combines the qualitative and quantitative factors for the facilities layout problem.  The proposed model is applied to the design of the user interface in order to obtain the best layout of the facilities in which the closeness rating scores are evaluated by using the Goals, Operators, Methods, and Selection (GOMS) technique. The results of the proposed model are compared with that of an existing model to obtain the layouts of user interface components. The model developed here has significant relevance for facility layout design in achieving an optimal interface by structuring the layout of a building to enhance and support production. The user interface model provides support for quick response to changes in customer demand and inventory planning particularly in such an area where timely transfer of information is crucial

An Economic Impact Of Marylands Coastal Bays: A Goal Programming Approach

The purpose of this paper is to present a lexicographic goal programming (LGP) model to assess fishery management and related activities and their economic impact on Marylands Coastal Bays. The LGP model is designed to illustrate how LGP can be used as an aid to solving fishery management and related activities with multiple objectives. The technique allows us to find the optimal solution, based on the priorities of the goals in a decision-making environment. In this study, we have used LGP to examine a set of goals and objectives as they relate to the socioeconomic significance of fishery management in Marylands Coastal Bays

GLOBAL ELECTROINIC COMMERCE AND ITS IMPACT ON THE ECONOMY OF THE NEW EMERGING MARKETS

This study discusses the potential of electronic commerce (EC) and its impact among the newly emerging economies and the changing landscape of businesses. In assessing the global impact of EC, the study examines the different areas of EC in which Information Technology (IT) can play a vital role with a focus on access and use of infrastructure, global competitiveness and trade, the changing landscape of business with reference to India and Philippine, and trends in financial transactions

EMERGING BUSINESSES: THE SOUTH AFRICAN WINE INDUSTRY CASE

Emerging economies such as South Africa, only a few years out of apartheid, have been feeling the strains of socio-political change. While South Africa has experienced political reform, economic reform and access are slow to come. Currently, South Africa is the 7th largest producer of wine in the world. Although this industry is impressive, the apartheid era production practices have caused primarily the European consumers and media to be vocal about this issue. However, this concern has spread to other regions. The South African government and wine industry must respond to the external and internal market pressures and minimize transaction costs. Both entities want to increase wine exports and expand market share, however, given the socio-economic and political climate in the country neither knows how to manage this difficult process which emanates from deeply rooted distrust of groups within the country. Socio-political constraints facing previously disadvantaged groups (PDG) as emerging business owners need to be understood; and, measures which could be undertaken by government and industry need to be identified. The objectives of this research were to identify: institutional constraints and transaction costs faced by PDGs aspiring toward production and leadership roles in the wine industry; ways the government can collaborate with the KWV to build social capital and promote PDG ownership in the wine industry, thus minimizing social conflict; and, identify industry strategies to increase exports and international market share under the "New South Africa" banner. This analysis was based on primary and secondary data and information gathered on site. Several potential solutions were suggested for ways to include PDGs in the South African wine market while minimizing the impact on the market shares of existing producers. It is anticipated that the window of opportunity to increase exports and involve PDG is quite small

SARS-CoV-2 vaccination modelling for safe surgery to save lives: data from an international prospective cohort study

Background: Preoperative SARS-CoV-2 vaccination could support safer elective surgery. Vaccine numbers are limited so this study aimed to inform their prioritization by modelling. Methods: The primary outcome was the number needed to vaccinate (NNV) to prevent one COVID-19-related death in 1 year. NNVs were based on postoperative SARS-CoV-2 rates and mortality in an international cohort study (surgical patients), and community SARS-CoV-2 incidence and case fatality data (general population). NNV estimates were stratified by age (18-49, 50-69, 70 or more years) and type of surgery. Best- and worst-case scenarios were used to describe uncertainty. Results: NNVs were more favourable in surgical patients than the general population. The most favourable NNVs were in patients aged 70 years or more needing cancer surgery (351; best case 196, worst case 816) or non-cancer surgery (733; best case 407, worst case 1664). Both exceeded the NNV in the general population (1840; best case 1196, worst case 3066). NNVs for surgical patients remained favourable at a range of SARS-CoV-2 incidence rates in sensitivity analysis modelling. Globally, prioritizing preoperative vaccination of patients needing elective surgery ahead of the general population could prevent an additional 58 687 (best case 115 007, worst case 20 177) COVID-19-related deaths in 1 year. Conclusion: As global roll out of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination proceeds, patients needing elective surgery should be prioritized ahead of the general population