It is shown that the relative sign between the $NN\omega$ and $\pi\rho\omega$ coupling constants can be determined most sensitively from $\omega$ production processes in $NN$ collisions. Recent data on these reactions clearly favor the sign of the $\pi\rho\omega$ coupling constant which is opposite to that inferred from studies of the photoproduction reaction in combination with the vector meson dominance assumption and used by many authors. Implication of this finding in the description of other reactions is discussed.
Categories: nucl-th hep-ph