ABSTRACT
As countries start to emerge from the pandemic with the development of vaccines, the impact of COVID-19 and the changes it has initiated in the business world will continue to be felt across industries. In this chapter, real-life storiesfrom three different industries-chain restaurants, interior design, and cafés-and the lessons they have learned will be discussed and analyzed. The role of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in SMEs is highlighted as a strategy in which organizations can promote the long-term sustain-ability of their business. Then, three companies in various industries will be introduced with details about how COVID-19 has changed their outlook and goals in competing with other firms and the ways in which they confronted the pandemic. Finally, the authors share implications and offer helpful recommendations as to how SMEs can leverage resources smartly to engage in smart CSR initiatives in better dealing with a global health crisis and play a larger role in taking care of stakeholders in the long run. © 2021, IGI Global.
ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the impact of COVID-19 on the Chinese aviation industry. Specifically, China Southern Airlines (CSAIR) was chosen as a focal airline company, from which its approach and strategies in dealing with various challenges and difficulties brought by COVID-19 was investigated and analyzed. Challenges that airline companies faced during pandemic include a decline in traffic volume, operation funds shortage, and uncertain situations and difficulties in making predictions. The case starts with introducing general impact of COVID-19 on airline industry, followed by delineating regulations from the industry as prevention and control of the pandemic situation. It identifies several pathways to civil aviation industry recovery, namely group standard measures, fleet storage, domestic passengers flight operation, and transition to cargo flight. © 2022, IGI Global.
ABSTRACT
Objective: To explore the potential active components of Chaiyin particles (CYPs) in the treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and their mechanism of action using network pharmacology and molecular docking technology. Methods: Based on the components of CYPs, we obtained potential targets of the interaction between CYPs and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The potential targets were analyzed by protein-protein interaction, gene ontology, and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analyses. The key active components of CYPs were subjected to molecular docking with 3-chymotrypsin-like protease, angiotensin-converting enzyme II (ACE2), RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, and papain-like protease. The components that may bind to the key target proteins of SARS-CoV-2 were screened to obtain the potential active components, targets and pathways for CYP treatment of COVID-19. The above-described network analysis results were then verified experimentally. Results: CYPs may prevent and treat COVID-19 by inhibiting the release of inflammatory factors such as IL-6 and TNF-alpha;participating in the AGE-Rage signaling pathway, the HIF-1 signaling pathway, and other anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and immune regulatory signaling pathways;and blocking ACE2 via fortunellin and baicalin. Conclusion: This work illustrated that CYPs mainly play an anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory role in COVID-19 prevention and treatment. The potential active components and molecular mechanism of CYPs can provide theoretical support and a pharmacological basis for further development and utilization of CYPs in the prevention and treatment of COVID-19. These results provide important insights into future studies of Traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) modernization and prevention.
ABSTRACT
Dealing with paradox, “the coexistence of conflicting yet interconnected elements”, is naturally embedded in a leader’s role. One of the most pertinent paradoxes for any leader stems from the need to manage control and autonomy. The control-autonomy paradox refers to the leader’s need to address the conflicting yet complementary control and autonomy simultaneously, which is traditionally viewed as an “either-or” relationship. Extant leadership literature primarily focuses on either one of these two elements. The COVID-19 situation only intensifies such a control-delegate dilemma. Long periods of work-from-home arrangements, establishing and managing virtual teams, and dealing with uncertainty from various fronts all challenge leaders to strike a balance between taking sufficient yet proper control in the right situations and allowing autonomy to accommodate any ambiguity that may arise. For example, to actively engage work-from-home employees, leaders need to assign challenging but not too over-the-top tasks so that employees are likely to spend sufficient time and effort to produce achievements. However, it remains unclear to managers - who are accustomed to face-to-face communication - in deciding how much they should intervene to check their employees’ progress and to advise appropriate suggestions, or to show support by empowering employees with critical decision-making power. In this chapter, the authors use three case studies from workplace management during the pandemic to explore effective ways for leaders to engage and motivate employees using various approaches. From case analyses, the authors deliver several practical implications as to how leaders can effectively leverage control and delegation in challenging situations. © 2022 selection and editorial matter, Eko Liao, Amy Yamei Wang and Cheryl Qianru Zhang.
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BACKGROUND: Evidence about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of specific subpopulations- such as university students-is needed as communities prepare for future waves. AIMS: To study the association of proximity of COVID-19 with symptoms of anxiety and depression in university students. METHODS: This trend study analyzed weekly cross-sectional surveys of probabilistic samples of students from the University of British Columbia for 13 weeks through the first wave of COVID-19. The main variable assessed was propinquity of COVID-19, defined as "knowing someone who tested positive for COVID-19", which was specified at different levels: knowing someone anywhere globally, in Canada, in Vancouver, in their course, or at home. Proximity was included in multivariable linear regressions to assess its association with primary outcomes, including 30-day symptoms of anxiety and/or depression. RESULTS: Of 1,388 respondents (adjusted response rate=50%), 5.6% knew someone with COVID-19 in Vancouver, 0.8% in their course, and 0.3% at home. Ten percent were overwhelmed and unable to access help. Knowing someone in Vancouver was associated with an 11 percentage-point increase in the probability of 30-day anxiety symptoms (SE=0,05;p<=0,05), moderated by gender, with a significant interaction of the exposure and being female (coefficient= 20(SE=0,09), p<=0,05). No association was found with depressive symptoms. CONCLUSION: Propinquity of COVID-19 cases may increase the likelihood of anxiety symptoms in students, particularly amongst men. Most students report coping well, but additional supports are needed for an emotionally overwhelmed minority who report being unable to access help.
ABSTRACT
With AR's dynamic and immersive qualities, the Pickrick AR project aims to serve two purposes: to support the civil rights movement in remembrance of the African Americans who fought for equality and to educate students about this special moment in history via a pedagogical tool. With considerations of the Covid-19 pandemic, this tool aims to create an immersive and enlightening experience within the real physical space without the presence of a tour guide. In this paper, is an introduction to our design concepts, specifically in how to integrate multimedia information and create a user-friendly interface by using Human Computer Interaction (HCI) principles and the Sense of Place (SOP) Theory.