The established foot pump tended to be associated with greater peak velocities; the novel device produced more consistent mean peak venous velocities and may be more acceptable to patients and caregivers.

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This paper addresses the practice of professional development within the vocational education and training (VET) arena. The study objective was to explore appropriate education qualifications for Australian VET practitioners in the tourism and hospitality sector required for effective teaching practice. The study was conducted utilising qualitative research techniques. The investigation concentrated on a case-study context of VET practitioners currently working within a department of tourism and hospitality at a number of Australian VET registered training organisations. Interviews were conducted with 10 front-line teaching practitioners and four management heads of department. Results of the study indicated that a career VET practitioner should demonstrate a commitment to professionalism by completing a higher education qualification.

This article examines the acceptance and rejection of social media technology using rochford Winery Estate in the Yarra Valley in Victoria, Australia, as a case study. The purpose of this investigation is to examine the perceptions of the seven main social media platforms and, through in-depth interviews with rochford Winery Estate personnel, to determine if any of these platforms are actually employed to assist in increasing revenue. The results indicate that four of the seven identified platforms, being referrals, user-generated content, member profiles, and social networking, were considered worth adopting as they have the most perceived potential to assist in increasing revenue. The three rejected categories (blogs, ratings and reviews, and forums) were not seen as strong sales or marketing platforms or having direct relevance to the winery. However, the business concedes that social media may also assist in the overall marketing strategy through brand awareness. Ideally, social media would be more heavily embraced and given additional financial resources if proven increases in revenue could be obtained and overall control of their brand on the World Wide Web was achievable. The article concludes by suggesting that this winery and perhaps the wine industry are willing to embrace social media if the financial rewards outweigh the financial investment. Wine regions are generally open to cooperative marketing campaigns and there should be no difficulty in implementing social media campaigns for mutual benefit. This research may assist other wineries locally, nationally, or globally to adopt new sales techniques through social media, therefore allowing the wine industry to continue to expand and remain relevant in today's competitive environment.

PurposeThis exploratory study aims to examine how wine stakeholders' are adopting innovative advancements in smart industry 4.0 application technology (SI4.0AT) coupled with electronic word-of-mouth (e-WOM) techniques to increase winery visitation and wine sales, prior to and during a global pandemic in the Yarra Valley in Victoria, Australia.Design/methodology/approachA qualitative interpretivist geographical bounded case study approach was used to collect data from fifteen Victorian wine stakeholder's prior to and during the global pandemic COVID-19. A thematic analysis was applied to interpret participant responses and how they viewed, reacted to and harnessed S14.0AT and e-WOM to continue and increase wine sales.FindingsThe findings suggest few wine stakeholders' were actively implementing SI4.0AT prior to the global pandemic, COVID -19. With the forced closure of wineries to visitors across Australia, most small to medium-sized wineries immediately changed their business models to concentrate on domestic e-commerce wine sales and home delivery. To support these new business models, e-WOM techniques were quickly adopted or increased whereas other S14.0AT technologies were not, due to financial restraints.Research limitations/implicationsThe number of participants used in this study is a limitation, however, this can be overcome by replicating this study in other wine regions. This research focused on the wine stakeholders' viewpoint only and may not be easily generalised. Future studies may examine the “what” aspect of SI4.0AT is being used and e-WOM content such as investigating what consumers are saying about these wineries, the method of communication and the motivations for consumers to engage with a winery.Practical implicationsThe implications for the wine industry and overall results offer insight into the wine stakeholders' perceptions of SI4.0AT and e-WOM and consequent marketing strategy of wineries in the Yarra Valley, Victoria, both pre- and during forced face-to-face winery closures due to a global pandemic. Wineries need to continue to harness and leverage the benefits of e-WOM wine marketing in their marketing strategies and continue to explore the affordability of 4.0 app technology and Tourism 4.0 options.Originality/valueThis study is the first attempt at investigating how wine stakeholders' view; react to and harness SI4.0AT and e-WOM through formalised online marketing strategies which should continue to be investigated in the future.