ABSTRACT
The COVID-19 pandemic caused a confinement in world society that had no memory of such an event. This event caused the associations to accelerate the online transaction processes, so the continuity of the companies depended on the adoption of e-business systems, which resulted in greater flexibility and agility in the business. Digital transformation and organizational agility are two concepts present in the current COVID-19 context and the adoption of e-business systems depends on the human knowledge existing in the associations. In this context, we developed a study that aimed to study the effects of adopting e-business systems on business agility. For this, we identified that knowledge management is a basis for companies to implement e-business systems. Thus, we carried out an investigation that, through PLS estimation, found that business agility depends on the adoption of e-business systems in a pandemic context such as the case of COVID-19. In this sense, we present theoretical and practical statements of this study.
ABSTRACT
Background : Although the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been associated with an increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE), different VTE incidences are reported according to the population profile. Aims : To compare risk factors, prophylaxis regimens, laboratory data, incidence and mortality rates of VTE associated with COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 patients, hospitalized in an institution with best practices in thromboprophylaxis. Methods : We retrospectively analyzed all confirmed cases of VTE (pulmonary embolism [PE] and/or deep vein thrombosis [DVT]) reported in electronic medical records diagnosed at admission, during hospitalization or readmitted to the hospital within 90 days after discharge, between January/2020 and February/2021. Characteristics of VTE events associated with COVID-19 and VTE associated with other diseases (non-COVID patients), were compared. Results : Over the study period, 177 patients presented VTE events (63.8% male, mean age 63.8 ± 18.9 years, 38.4% confirmed COVID-19;85% critically ill patients). Clinical characteristics were summarized in Table 1. In contrast to non-COVID group, COVID-19 patients were predominantly male (78% vs. 55%;P = 0.002) and older (66 vs. 61 years old ;P = 0.034), had less clinical risk factors for VTE, and developed VTE more frequently during hospital stay, despite using higher doses of enoxaparin (Tables 1 and 2). Mortality rate was higher in the COVID group (38.2% vs. 5.5%;P < 0.0001). Additionally, COVID group presented higher D-Dimer levels (17481 ± 26278 UI/ ml vs. 7291 ± 11708 UI/ml;P = 0.004), but similar C-reactive protein levels (12.5 ± 11.8 vs.13.8 ± 79.2;P = 0.892). Regarding critically ill patients, COVID-19 was associated with an increased risk of VTE compared to non-COVID group (5.6% [34/602] vs. 0.5% [20/3690], unadjusted OR = 10.98 [95% CI 6.3-19.2;P < 0.00001]) (Table 2). Conclusions : Despite of having less clinical risk factors for VTE and using greater doses of enoxaparin, COVID-19 patients had higher incidence of In-hospital VTE and higher mortality rate. These findings suggest that a hypercoagulability state could be induced by the coronavirus itself. .
ABSTRACT
Background : D-Dimer (DD) values are often elevated in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), but its role as a diagnostic test of VTE is controversial. Aims : To analyze the performance of DD in the VTE events diagnosis in a cohort of COVID-19 patients. Methods : We retrospectively analyzed, from March/2020 to February/2021, all cases of proven COVID-19 submitted to a compression ultrasound (CUS) or CT pulmonary angiogram (CTPA) to investigate deep venous thrombosis [DVT] and/or pulmonary embolism [PE]. DD levels were recorded at hospital admission and at the day (±24 h) of each imaging studies. DD levels were categorized into 3 groups according to terciles, in order to determine VTE risk. ROC curve analysis was used to determine optimal DD cut-off to predict VTE. Results : From 717 COVID-19 admissions, we identified 169 patients (median age 65 years [20-103], 66% male) submitted to a 208 imaging studies (74 CTPA, 134 CUS). In the overall cohort, 54 (32%) patients had VTE diagnosis according to 62 positive exams (39 CUS and 23 CTPA). Confirmed VTE patients had higher median levels of DD at admission (2364 vs. 831 ng/mL;P = 0.004) and at the day of exam (7013 vs. 1378 ng/mL;P < 0.0001). The AUROC for DD and VTE at admission and at the day of imaging study was 0.72 (95%CI,0.63-0.81) and 0.80 (95%CI,0.73-0.87), respectively. The best DD cut-off point to predict VTE was 2000 ng/mL (86% sensitivity, 63% specificity). Greater values of DD were associated with an increased rate of VTE diagnosis: group I≤1200 ng/mL: 7.6%;group II-1201-5000 ng/mL: 35.8% and group III>5000 ng/mL: 60.3% ( P < 0.001). The OR of group II and III vs. group I was 6.8 (95%CI 2.4-19.3;P < 0.0001) and 18.5 (95%CI6.6-52.0;P < 0.0001), respectively. Conclusions : In a cohort of hospitalized COVID-19 patients, DD test was a good discriminator of VTE events. Serial measurements of DD could help physicians to initiate anticoagulation therapy in COVID-19 patients suspected of VTE diagnosis.
ABSTRACT
Purpose: The Internet has changed the nature of purchasing, proof of this being the proliferation of e-commerce sites which have seen their activity grow more quickly due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, the authors aim to investigate the impact of the consumer's hedonic motivations, price, access to information and trust on the online purchase intention. Design/methodology/approach: A quantitative, transversal study of a conclusive nature was carried out. Based on information gathered through a questionnaire administered to a sample of 750 online purchasers, a structural equation model was estimated. Findings: The results showed that the intention to continue purchasing in online shops is partly explained by access to information online, hedonic motivations and trust in e-commerce sites. It stands out that online information generates trust, and the perception of online prices does not influence loyalty but has a positive influence on hedonic motivations. Research limitations/implications: Although some constructs were ignored, for example, the integration of channels, experiential marketing and the fear of fraud, including unauthorised use of personal details, the study shows that easy access to useful information about products, prices, promotions is an important antecedent of online purchase. Practical implications: Online shop managers should pay special attention to e-commerce websites, and the information provided there should explore consumer's hedonic motivations for adventure. Furthermore, it is fundamental to create trust in order to maintain the interest in online shopping. Originality/value: The estimation of the structural model in the context of online shopping includes the influence of utilitarian motivations (price and access to information), which offer a rational experience and also include emotional motivations (hedonic adventure motivations) on the intention to buy online. The results also revealed that it plays an important role to promote online trust and online loyalty. © 2021, Emerald Publishing Limited.