Investigation of Innovation In Wine Industry Via Meta-Analysis

This study provides a systematic review of 76 relevant wine business studies published in the last 30 years. Our meta-analysis investigates six commonly used variables to explain wine innovation: absorptive capacity, technology adoption, sustainable practices, export orientation, firm size, and firm age. We also investigate the association between innovation and financial performance, using the reported effect sizes in the literature. Our meta-analysis reveals that absorptive capacity, technology adoption, sustainable practices, export orientation, and firm size positively correlate with innovation efforts, and innovation is positively associated with financial performance. However, we find no correlation between firm age and innovation. In addition to the meta-analysis, we apply basic text analytics and narrative review methodologies to identify a taxonomy of wine industry innovation according to four types of innovation. Based on our systematic literature review results, we make a series of managerial and policy recommendations for wine firms. Finally, we identify gaps in the literature and suggest future research directions

Robbing Peter to Pay Paul Part II: Restrictiveness and Cohesiveness in Large Groups Using Group Support Systems

The construct of group cohesiveness has received limited study in the GSS domain. This paper draws upon previous work that looked at GSS impacts on group cohesion in small groups (5 members) and expands the investigation to the realm of large groups (over 20 members). We compare and contrast the findings in this study with a previous study of GSS restrictiveness and group cohesion done by Salisbury, Reeves, Chin, Bell and Gopal (1997) in the small group context. Findings indicate that the restrictiveness treatment does influence group cohesiveness, and that the effects are generally the same in large groups as in small groups

Evaluation of Chikungunya Diagnostic Assays: Differences in Sensitivity of Serology Assays in Two Independent Outbreaks

Chikungunya is a mounting public health concern in many parts of the world. Definitive diagnosis is critical in differentiating the diseases, especially in dengue endemic areas. There are some commercial chikungunya kits and published molecular protocols available, but no comprehensive comparative evaluation of them was performed. Using sera collected in outbreaks caused by two variants of Chikungunya virus (A226 and 226V), we tested 2 commercial IgM tests (CTK lateral flow rapid test and EUROIMMUN IFA) alongside our in-house IgM assays (using both variants of the virus). Sensitivities of 2 published PCR protocols were also evaluated based on RNA standards derived from cell-cultured viruses. The commercial assays had different performances in each outbreak, with CTK's lateral flow test having the best performance in the first outbreak and EUROIMMUN IFA being more sensitive in the second outbreak. Use of the current circulating virus in a test assay improves sensitivity of the MAC-ELISAs. For PCR, a probe-based real time RT-PCR method was found to be 10 times more sensitive than the SYBR Green method. Despite this, the latter protocol is found to be more suitable and cost-effective for our diagnostic laboratory. This evaluation demonstrates the importance of appraisal of commercial kits and published protocols before application of a diagnostic tool in the clinical and operational setting

Resurgence of Ebola virus in 2021 in Guinea suggests a new paradigm for outbreaks

These authors contributed equally: Alpha K. Keita, Fara R. Koundouno, Martin Faye, Ariane Düx, Julia Hinzmann.International audienc

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

Investment in SARS-CoV-2 sequencing in Africa over the past year has led to a major increase in the number of sequences generated, now exceeding 100,000 genomes, used to track the pandemic on the continent. Our results show an increase in the number of African countries able to sequence domestically, and highlight that local sequencing enables faster turnaround time and more regular routine surveillance. Despite limitations of low testing proportions, findings from this genomic surveillance study underscore the heterogeneous nature of the pandemic and shed light on the distinct dispersal dynamics of Variants of Concern, particularly Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Omicron, on the continent. Sustained investment for diagnostics and genomic surveillance in Africa is needed as the virus continues to evolve, while the continent faces many emerging and re-emerging infectious disease threats. These investments are crucial for pandemic preparedness and response and will serve the health of the continent well into the 21st century

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

Investment in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) sequencing in Africa over the past year has led to a major increase in the number of sequences that have been generated and used to track the pandemic on the continent, a number that now exceeds 100,000 genomes. Our results show an increase in the number of African countries that are able to sequence domestically and highlight that local sequencing enables faster turnaround times and more-regular routine surveillance. Despite limitations of low testing proportions, findings from this genomic surveillance study underscore the heterogeneous nature of the pandemic and illuminate the distinct dispersal dynamics of variants of concern-particularly Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Omicron-on the continent. Sustained investment for diagnostics and genomic surveillance in Africa is needed as the virus continues to evolve while the continent faces many emerging and reemerging infectious disease threats. These investments are crucial for pandemic preparedness and response and will serve the health of the continent well into the 21st century

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

Small California Wine Producers in 2019: An Industry Note

After 25 years of rising wine sales, 2019 revealed that growth was slowing. An oversupply of grapes and finished products, coupled with diminishing sales volumes and shifting buyer preferences, were impacting smaller California wine producers. Additionally, wine marketing in the U.S. focused primarily on the Baby Boomers, the large and affluent generation that has been the main wine consuming cohort over the last 25 years. But, as the Baby Boomers hit retirement age, their wine purchasing is moderating in both price and volume. Can winemakers shift their selling strategies from the Baby Boomer to the Gen X, and subsequently, the Millennial generations? The product-focused approach that led to success with the Baby Boomers might not be enough to cater to the likes of Gen Xers or the Millennials, as the younger generations have very different consumtion patterns, preferences, and values. Branding is likely to remain important, but the tactics to attract and appeal to younger buyers is changing. How will wine producers appeal to the three different cohorts as they move through their respective life stages

Knowledge Type and Communication Media Choice In the Knowledge Transfer Process

The literature suggests that transferring knowledge may lead to a competitive advantage, synergistic cost advantages, and better implementation of organizational strategies, but there is little empirical evidence to guide organizations in managing the knowledge transfer process. This research explores how organizations use communication media to transfer or share knowledge. Building upon media richness theory (Daft and Lengel, 1986), we hypothesize that rich media would be used more often to transfer know-how or tacit knowledge, and lean media would be used more often to transfer information or explicit knowledge. The results of our survey of 287 employees in five hospitals provided support for our hypotheses and were relatively consistent for hospital administrators, nursing directors, and staff nurses. These findings suggest that the knowledge transfer process appears to be a critical organizational concern, as the type or property of knowledge appeared to be the primary driver of media choice

Leadership And Ethics In Work Groups: A Longitudinal Assessment

This study explored the relationship between leadership style and individual ethics in work groups. We present a model of how active leadership affects conformity in members\u27 ethical decision frameworks (formalism and utilitarianism). We tested this model by examining 36 work groups over a 12-week period. Results supported the hypothesis that more active leadership would lead to greater conformity in both types of ethical frameworks. A second hypothesis, that group cohesion would mediate this relationship between leadership style and ethical conformity, was partially supported. Implications of these findings for leadership, groups, and ethics research are discussed