Evolutionary transitions between the two major predator avoidance strategies aposematism and crypsis are expected to be associated with changes in many important traits of animals. However, empirical studies on populations experiencing ongoing or recent transitions between these strategies are rare. This thesis investigates the co-evolution of traits among populations of the Strawberry poison frog D.pumilio in Bocas del Toro, Panama. I found that all investigated populations were genetically distinct but that colour and pattern did not correlate with genetic or geographic distance, which suggests that selection needs to be invoked to explain the observed variation. Based on the chromatic contrast between frog dorsal colour and the natural habitat substrates used by the frogs, the populations were defined as bright or dull coloured. I found that frogs from bright coloured populations were larger. This is expected if aposematism is enhanced by large signals while crypsis is enhanced by small size. Further, individuals from bright coloured populations had a coarser black dorsal pattern, which is expected if crypsis is impaired by a bold pattern. The importance of pattern coarseness was confirmed by an avian detection experiment showing that coarse patterned dark green prey were more easily detected than dark green prey without pattern or with fine pattern. I put forward the hypothesis that enhanced protection, gained by aposematism, may affect behaviours that influence dispersal and pairing patterns. Indeed, males from bright coloured populations displayed at more exposed sites and showed a tendency to be more explorative and aggressive. In summary, my results show that the bright and dull coloured populations most likely represent an aposematic and a cryptic strategy, respectively. Furthermore, I show that evolutionary changes between aposematism and crypsis can be associated with coevolution of both morphology and behaviour. I argue that this coevolution may increase the likelihood of both pre- and post-zygotic reproductive isolation. This is because greater phenotypic differences between populations increase the likelihood of selection against badly adapted migrants and hybrids with intermediate traits.

Les activités humaines sont à l’origine de nombreuses pollutions par des hydrocarbures au niveau des écosystèmes, et plus particulièrement au niveau des sols. Afin de préserver la santé humaine et environnementale, il est nécessaire d’éliminer les polluants présents. Dans ce but, les techniques de bioremédiation apparaissent aujourd’hui comme de réelles alternatives aux techniques classiques, invasives et onéreuses. Cependant, l’utilisation optimale de tels procédés nécessite une meilleure connaissance des capacités métaboliques des communautés microbiennes impliquées dans la biodégradation de ces polluants. Dans ce cadre, l’utilisation des biopuces ADN fonctionnelles pour analyser ces écosystèmes semble très appropriée.Cependant, une de ses limitations actuelles est la détermination des sondes, qui ne ciblent que les gènes dont les séquences ont été caractérisées. Pour cela, un outil informatique (Metabolic Design) a été mis au point, afin de déterminer des sondes exploratoires pour biopuces fonctionnelles. L’étude, avec notre biopuce fonctionnelle, des capacités métaboliques de dégradation des HAP de la souche Sphingomonas paucimobilis sp. EPA505 a permis de mettre en évidence la sensibilité et la spécificité des sondes développées, ainsi que leur aspect exploratoire. Puis, nous nous sommes attachés à caractériser les capacités métaboliques des communautés bactériennes d’un sol pollué principalement par des HAP, sans à priori sur les séquences ou les organismes présents, montrant l’efficacité de notre approche. / Soil ecosystems are sensitive to damage from pollutions, and there is an increasing need to develop better methods for removing pollutants from soils. The removal of pollutants, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, by bioremediation, is a less invasive and expensive process than classical decontamination. However, use and optimization of bioremediation treatments require knowledge on metabolic capacites of microbial communities involved in the biodegradation of such pollutants. To assess their huge metabolic potentialities, we need high throughput tools, such as functional microarrays, that allow the simultaneous analysis of thousands of genes. However, most classical functional microarrays use specific probes that monitor only known sequences and so, fail to cover the full microbial gene diversity present in complex environments. We have thus developed a program, named Metabolic Design, to design efficient explorative probes for functional microarrays. Then, we successfully validated our new functional microarray studying metabolic capacities of Sphnigomonas paucimobilis sp. EPA505 able to degrade polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Finally, we assessed metabolic capacities of microbial communities in soil, contaminated with aromatic hydrocarbons. Results show that our probe design (sensitivity and explorative quality) can be used to study a complex environment efficiently.

A challenge in Lean Construction is how to make it applicable when there is a high degree of complexity and uncertainty. In many construction projects there are changing project requirements, unique products and a need for actions that are highly focused on meeting customer/client expectations. Such scenarios require management methods that are characterised by being flexible and able to react to change. The aim of this thesis is to introduce a method that has such characteristics. Project Management, Lean and Agile paradigms are merged through the application of the fission and fusion approach of nuclear physics. This research is facilitated through a sequential explorative method. In the first instance, interviews with 22 practitioners in the fields of construction project management, Lean and Agile have been conducted. Then a quantitative self-administered questionnaire with 213 useful responses has been utilised to validate the transferability of the interview findings. It is concluded that Lean is not ideally suited to dealing with the dynamic nature of construction projects. Agile methods, which were developed to cope with the high levels of uncertainty inherent to IT projects, are more flexible and able to react to change. Hence utilising Agile-based methods might be the key to the successful utilization of Lean in construction. Therefore a management method based on combining Lean and Agile approaches has potential. Such an approach needs creative thinking to develop a solution that is different to that of “Leagile”. Leagile uses Lean and Agile methods in the execution phase sequentially, through using a decoupling point model to separate the two. This thesis introduces a new paradigm in which such a decoupling or separation does not take place. Rather, project management, Lean and Agile have been merged together to develop a new holistic and strategic framework. The paradigm presented in this thesis is termed “AgiLean Project Management”.

Quality and innovation are central elements in a successful business, where organizations are not solely looking to satisfy existing customers with high quality but to create novel solutions for future customers as well. As a result, addressing both concepts are vital for sustaining business longterm, which has led to a conflict regarding where companies should allocate their efforts. This study analyzed a global manufacturing company’s complaints management (CM) process, where quality and innovation were addressed with the study questions: How can the CM process be improved to reduce recurring complaints? and How can the CM process be improved to foster innovation?. To answer these, a qualitative approach was used in forms of unstructured and semi-structured interviews as well as quality management & control tools. The variables analyzed were partly constructed from the extensive literature review and partly from the employees involved with the CM process. The results showcased negligence towards the CM process, where process description and governance as well as knowledge management were lacking. Practical implications of the study indicates that if the CM process receives more focus in regards to the mentioned factors, the quality and its ability to foster innovation as well innovation will be improved. Theoretical implications of the study indicates a misalignment between the perception of the CM process and the actions of the company. Employees found it essential to the company’s strategy whereas the process, despite this received attention. These implications are limited to large manufacturing companies and in order to generalize the results, further research is required.

This is a futures study based on the citizen initiative HS2020 in Hammarby Sjöstad, Stockholm. The initiative has the vision to “Renew a new city”, and further develop Hammarby Sjöstad’s environmental profile towards a sustainable development until 2020. The aim of this study is to explore the possibilities for HS2020 to also work with Collaborative Consumption, which involves the sharing of goods, services, and space, as a contributing factor to the sustainable development of Hammarby Sjöstad. This study uses an explorative scenario approach together with backcasting, a normative scenario approach to create future images of Hammarby Sjöstad in 2020. These images explore the possibilities for HS2020 to also work with Collaborative Consumption in six of their sub-projects. The futures images were generated based on three workshops with participants connected to HS2020’s work, and also on the literature study and the collected background information. The future images of Hammarby Sjöstad mediate how HS2020 could further develop the existing sub-projects, by focusing more on Collaborative Consumption. The solutions presented in the theory could be implemented in Hammarby Sjöstad. They could be for anyone, restricted to members, within an apartment building or a small group of people that could also own and maintain the sharing solution. Other important actors are private companies, the municipality and non-profit organization that could initiate, own and maintain these sharing solutions. The future images show that they could contribute to increased sustainability in different ways.

The ongoing consumer transition from offline to online shopping in the fashion retail industry requires retailers to take action. Not only do consumers shop more online, they also go online for research of retail products. Forecasts tell that bringing the online experience to offline stores might bridge the gap between the two channels. The online experience provides high-end digital content, and puts a demand on the product information offline as this was found crucial for the customer experience. The marketing possibilities in-store was found to be an advantage to bricks-and-mortar retailers. Thus, this study aims to investigate how the customer experience can be enhanced in retail bricks-and-mortar stores through digital product information. A survey was conducted to identify user requirements in terms of product information. An augmented reality prototype was formed to satisfy the identified user requirements. The prototype was tested in two user studies that evaluated the content, visualization, interaction and satisfaction. The prototype was iterated between the two user studies. The most crucial parameters of fashion retail product information were established, together with implications for the visual representation and interaction. It was found that there were unfulfilled user needs with existing service options, which were satisfied with the use of an augmented reality prototype for product information retrieval. The use of AR for this purpose also proved to be able to contribute to an omnichannel solution for multi-channel retailers. The conclusion was thus that the customer in-store experience could be enhanced by the introduction of an augmented reality prototype for product information retrieval, taking into account the implications for content, visualization and interaction provided in this study. / Den pågående konsumentövergången från offline till online shopping i modedetaljhandeln kräver att detaljhandlare vidtar åtgärder. Förutom att konsumenterna handlar mer online, använder de också onlinebutiker allt mer för undersökning av produkter. Prognoser förtäljer att införandet av onlineupplevelsen till offline-butiker kan överbrygga klyftan mellan de två kanalerna. Onlineupplevelsen tillhandahåller högklassigt digitalt innehåll och ställer krav på produktinformationen offline, eftersom denna konstaterades vara en avgörande faktor för kundupplevelsen. Marknadsföringsmöjligheterna i fysiska butiker har visat sig vara en fördel för detaljhandlare som existerar i offlinekanalen. Således syftar denna studie till att undersöka hur kundupplevelsen kan förstärkas i fysiska detaljhandelsbutiker genom digital produktinformation. En enkätundersökning genomfördes för att identifiera användarnas krav när det gäller produktinformation. En augmented reality-prototyp formades i anspråk att tillfredsställa de identifierade användarkraven. Prototypen testades i två användarstudier, som utvärderade prototypens innehåll, visualisering, interaktion och tillfredsställelse. Prototypen itererades mellan de två användarstudierna. De mest kritiska parametrarna för produktinformation fastställdes, tillsammans med implikationer för visuell representation och interaktion. Det kunde konstateras att en AR-prototyp kunde tillfredsställa ännu omötta användarbehov för inhämtning av produktinformation. Användningen av AR för detta ändamål visade sig också ha möjligheten att bidra till en omnichannel-lösning för modehandlare som existerar i flera kanaler. Slutsatsen var således att kundupplevelsen i fysiska detaljhandelsbutiker kan förstärkas genom införandet av en augmented reality-prototyp för produktinformationsinhämtning, genom att ta hänsyn till de implikationer gällande innehåll, visualisering och interaktion tillhandahållna i denna studie.

I denna uppsats har jag funderat på de svårigheter som uppstår när barn på förskolan uttrycker sin sexualitet och visar intresse för kroppens genitalier genom undersökninglekar. Med hjälp av relevant litteratur, har jag studerat vad begreppet barns sexualitet innebär. I min uppsats, lyfter jag de aspekter som kan påverka hur vuxnas oro och osäkerhet vid behandling av barns sexualitets uttryck kan bidra till negativa konsekvenser för deras fortsatta sexualitetsutveckling. I dialog med litteraturen har jag bearbetat mitt dilemma och presenterat olika perspektiv som har påverkat hur människor i mitt dilemma och jag har agerat i bemötandet av barnens undersökningslekar. I min uppsats har jag också reflekterat över känslor av skam och diskriminering, med fokus på flickors sexualitet. I diskussionen har jag funderat på strukturella normer som påverkar människors beteende. Jag lyfter även förväntningar som finns på mig i min förskollärarroll och diskuterar hur riktlinjer i läroplanen som styrdokument skulle kunna underlätta behandlingen av mitt dilemma.

Change in today’s business environment may be seen as inevitable however in the absence of a generic and endemic Change Framework for Managing and Leading Change; South African businesses face a difficult task of surviving into the future unless they are able to find an Organisational Change Management Approach that will assist them in navigating the Organisational Change Landscape for the 21st Century. This study provides an exploratory approach to understanding the nature of Organisational Change Management in South Africa, by exploring the following key concepts: (1) An understanding of the nature of Organisational Change Management in South Africa (2) The Critical Success Factors needed for Organisational Change Management to succeed in South Africa (3) The provision of a practical Organisational Change Management Framework and Scorecard for the measurement of Organisational Change Management processes and initiatives (4) Recommendations towards a Organisational Change Management Scorecard The study which is largely qualitative in nature makes use of a multiple case study design methodology for the collection of empirical evidence as well as quantitative research data from a survey questionnaire to support the underlying constructs and research questions posed within the study. The use of data and methodological triangulation, namely research interviews, survey data, company and archival documentation as well as focus group discussion points has provided the research study with the necessary validity and reliability to support research results, findings and recommendations.This information should be utilized by Change Practitioners practicing organisational change within a rapidly transforming environment, where Mergers and Acquisitions are major force for change as it would help to provide the necessary change framework and change scorecard for the management and measurement of organisational change interventions. This study also highlights the Critical Success Factors for change by focusing on the Emotional side (Low impact) and Change Imperatives / Prerequisites (High impact) for the management of organisational change. In addition, the study also provides a first view of some change performance measures in the form of a Change Scorecard, which can be used to assess the overall impact of the current change intervention being implemented. / Graduate School for Business Leadership / DBL

Submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Master’s Degree in Technology: Chiropractic, Durban University of technology, Durban, South Africa, 2016. / INTRODUCTION: The utilization of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in the treatment of paediatric patients is increasing, especially the utilization of chiropractic treatment for children. However controversy exists regarding the reasons why parents may or may not choose to utilize chiropractic treatment for children. Parents are the gatekeepers to care as they consent to all treatment that is given to their children. Parents that have a lack of knowledge and understanding regarding chiropractic, as well as a negative perception regarding chiropractic treatment for children may be reluctant to choose chiropractic treatment as a treatment option. Both positive and negative opinions regarding chiropractic treatment have been identified in other populations in South Africa which emphasizes the need to explore the way parents feel about chiropractic treatment for children. A lack of knowledge and understanding of CAM has been identified as a reason for underutilization. Insight into the status of knowledge, understanding and perception of parents regarding chiropractic treatment for paediatric patients in the Durban Metropolitan Area equips the profession to better understand how parents view chiropractic treatment for children. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The main aim of this research was to explore and describe the knowledge, understanding and perception of parents regarding chiropractic treatment for paediatric patients. The outcomes of such a study can provide useful information which can serve as a baseline from which education and chiropractic treatment awareness can be built, as well as dispelling any misconceptions and myths regarding chiropractic treatment for children. RESEARCH DESIGN: An explorative, descriptive, qualitative research design was followed in this research. This research design was chosen in order to evaluate the knowledge, understanding and perception of parents regarding the utilization of chiropractic treatment for paediatric patients, within the Durban Metropolitan area. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with participants of the Durban Metropolitan Area in order to determine the current knowledge, understanding and perception of parents regarding chiropractic treatment for paediatric patients within this area. Interviews were conducted with the participants until saturation was met, after which an additional five interviews were conducted. A total of 13 interviews were analyzed. The data was transcribed and coded by the researcher as well as a co-coder. NVivo software was utilized for the coding process. RESULTS: It was found that the participants had a lack of knowledge and understanding regarding chiropractic treatment for children. The participants felt that this lack of knowledge and understanding of chiropractic treatment for children left them unsure, resulting in the non-use of this form of treatment for their children. The participants were however not opposed to the utilization of chiropractic treatment for children; they felt fear and concern regarding chiropractic treatment as they felt they were uneducated regarding the outcome of the treatment, what the treatment would involve and the reasons why chiropractic treatment should be utilized for children. The participants mentioned that if they had increased knowledge and understanding they would feel more comfortable in utilizing chiropractic treatment for their children. The participants felt that they did not have the resources to learn more about chiropractic treatment and they showed interest in learning more about chiropractic treatment for children. Recommendations were made for further research and for the chiropractic profession regarding increasing the knowledge and understanding of parents regarding chiropractic treatment. / M

En förutsättning för att revisionsbyråer skall överleva, är att lägga fokus på både förbättring och förnyelse av tjänster och produkter. Detta för att företag kontinuerligt behöver anpassa sitt utbud till den externa miljöns skiften och föränderliga efterfrågan. Syftet med denna studie är att förklara hur integrerat ledarskap påverkar förmågan att uppnå ambidexterity i revisionsbyråer. Studien har för avsikt att utforska olika ledarskapsstilar och eventuella samband mellan dessa och ambidexterity i revisionsbyråer. Genom användning av relevant teori och angränsande litteratur som berör integrerat ledarskap och ambidexterity, har en modell tagits fram som undersöker kopplingar mellan de aktuella ledarskapsstilarna och ambidexterity i revisionsbyråer. Med hjälp av en enkätundersökning som skickades till auktoriserade och godkända revisorer, har modellen testats empiriskt. Detta resulterade i 141 svar, där 104 svar var fullständiga. Resultaten av studien indikerar att ingen av de testade ledarskapsstilarna kan signifikant förklara någon påverkan på ambidexterity, dock tyder resultatet på att en auktoriserad revisor har en negativ påverkan på ambidexterity i förhållande till en godkänd revisor. Tidigare forskning tyder på att ambidexterity påverkas av faktorer som inte berörs i denna studie. Möjligtvis  har dessa faktorer starkare påverkan på ambidexterity än integrerat ledarskap vilket kan vara anledning till varför något förklarande samband på området inte kunnat påvisas. Oavsett vad som styr ambidexterity verkar revisionsbyråer i en föränderlig miljö vilket medför att förbättringar av befintligt utbud är viktigt att fokusera på samtidigt som helt nya tjänster verkar behövas för långsiktig överlevnad.   Kunskap vad gäller hur ledarskap påverkar ambidexterity kan medföra att revisionsbyråer får en inblick om vad som kan öka deras överlevnad. Genom en balans mellan exploaterande och utforskande innovationer, kan konkurrenskraften stärkas för byråerna.   Nyckelord: Ambidexterity, innovation, exploaterande och utforskande innovation, ledarskap, integrerat ledarskap, revisionsbyråer, auktoriserad och godkänd revisor. / A prerequisite for audit firms to survive, is focus on both improvement and renewal of services and products. This because companies constantly need to adapt their range of services and products to the external environment fluctuations and changing demands. The purpose of the study is to explain how integrated leadership affects the ability to achieve ambidexterity in accounting firms. The study aims to explore various leadership styles and potential relationships between them and ambidexterity in audit firms. Thru use of relevant theory and adjoining literature regarding integrated leadership and ambidexterity, a model has been produced which examines connections between the current leadership styles and ambidexterity in audit firms. With the help of a questionnaire sent to authorized and approved auditors, the model has been tested empirically. This resulted in 141 responses, with 104 completed responses.  The results of the study indicates that none of the tested leadership styles can explain effect on ambidexterity, however, the result shows that authorized auditors have a negative correlation with ambidexterity in relation to approved auditors. Recent research indicates that ambidexterity is affected by factors not being covered in this study. Possibly these factors have stronger effect on ambidexterity than integrated leadership which may be the reason why no explaining relationship has been found on the matter. Regardless what governs ambidexterity audit firms operates in a changing environment, which makes improvements of existing supply important to focus at the same time as new services seem to be needed for long term survival.   Knowledge regarding how leadership affects ambidexterity implies that audit firms get a glimpse of what could increase their survival. Through a balance between exploitative and explorative innovation, it contributes to improving the competitiveness of the firms.   Keywords: Ambidexterity, innovation, exploitative and explorative innovation, leadership, integrated leadership, accounting firms, authorized and approved auditor.