Ce projet de recherche a pour but d’étudier le processus créatif, l’apprentissage social, la rationalité, les conflits, les règles et les normes de trois groupes d’auteurs contemporains à New York et à Paris. Les méthodes de recherche incluent des entretiens avec des auteurs, la narration d’anecdotes sur le comportement des acteurs sociaux, la construction d’un tableau sociométrique des règles et des normes propres à chaque groupe d’après la théorie de Howard BECKER, et une analyse de texte qui mobilise la méthode d’étude structurale du sociologue de la littérature Lucien GOLDMANN. Ce projet de recherche a permis l’identification des niches sociales d’auteurs contemporains, dans lesquelles des échanges d’informations permettent un apprentissage social qui a de la valeur professionnelle et personnelle pour les acteurs sociaux en question. Enfin, ce projet de recherche permettra le placement des auteurs contemporains dans l’organigramme de la production culturelle de Pierre BOURDIEU, qui distingue « le sous-champ de l’avant-garde », « le sous-champ de la grande production » et « le champ du pouvoir » dans le monde littéraire. / The purpose of this research project is to explore the creative process, social learning, motivation, conflicts, rules and norms of three groups of contemporary writers in New York and Paris. Research methods include interviews with authors, the narration of anecdotes about the behavior of the social actors, and the construction of a sociometric table of rules and norms specific to each group according to the theory of Howard BECKER. This project also offers contains a literary analysis using Lucien GOLDMANN’s method of structural study. This research led to the identification of social networks of contemporary authors, in which the exchange of information allows social learning that has both professional and personal value for the social actors in question. Finally, this research will allow the placement of contemporary authors into Pierre BOURDIEU’s map of cultural production, which distinguishes “the sub-field of the avant-garde,” “the sub-field of large-scale production,” and “the field of power” in the literary world.

La capacité à répondre aux changements environnementaux est cruciale pour l’établissement et la persistance des populations dans un système hétérogène. Les processus sous-jacents à cette capacité peuvent prendre différentes formes. La grande diversité génétique (et phénotypique) découlant de la reproduction sexuée est un des processus permettant à une population de répondre aux différentes conditions environnementales par la survie d’au moins quelques individus. D’autre part, les processus épigénétiques, en permettant la modification du patron d’expression des gènes, contribuent également à la variation phénotypique. Ces variations peuvent survenir accidentellement (épimutations) ou en réponse à un stimulus environnemental (plasticité). Les processus épigénétiques représenteraient ainsi une alternative à la variation génétique pouvant expliquer le succès écologique des organismes génétiquement identiques. Toutefois, les génotypes ne répondent pas tous de la même façon aux conditions environnementales ; certains génotypes sont considérés comme généralistes et peuvent s’acclimater à une vaste gamme de conditions environnementales alors que d’autres sont plutôt spécialistes et restreints à un type d’environnement donné. L’objectif général de cette thèse est de mettre en évidence certains des processus responsables de la persistance des organismes asexués en déterminant les relations entre la variation épigénétique, la variation phénotypique et les stratégies écologiques. Pour ce faire, des hybrides asexués Chrosomus eos-neogaeus, un poisson à reproduction clonale, ont servi de modèle biologique. Se reproduisant par gynogenèse, les lignées clonales (génotypes) doivent faire face aux mêmes variations environnementales que les espèces parentales sexuées. De plus, la répartition géographique de chacune des lignées suggère la présence de génotypes généralistes et spécialistes. L’analyse de ces lignées en milieux naturels et en milieux contrôlés a permis de décortiquer l’influence des variations génétique, environnementale et épigénétique sur la variation phénotypique. Dans un premier temps, les modèles de stratégies généraliste et spécialiste ont été testés de manière empirique : (i) des analyses génétiques ont permis d’inférer les processus historiques expliquant la diversité et la répartition actuelle des lignées clonales ; (ii) l’analyse du patron de ii méthylation de différentes lignées a permis de déterminer l’importance relative des sources de variations épigénétiques selon les fluctuations environnementales et de les associer à une stratégie écologique : une importante influence de l’environnement ou une plus grande stochasticité dans l’établissement des marques épigénétiques étant associées à la plasticité phénotypique ou au bet-hedging, respectivement ; et (iii) le rôle de la plasticité phénotypique dans la diversification de niches écologiques a été souligné par la comparaison de la variation de la morphologie trophique en milieux naturels et contrôlés. D’autre part, le second volet de cette thèse a permis d’associer un coût (détection d’une instabilité développementale) à la plasticité phénotypique et d’élaborer une hypothèse sur l’existence d’un handicap démographique nécessaire afin d’expliquer la situation contre-intuitive concernant la coexistence des organismes gynogènes et de leurs hôtes sexués. La compréhension des différents mécanismes sous-jacents au succès écologique des organismes face aux variations environnementales permet ainsi une meilleure évaluation de leur potentiel évolutif et fournit des outils supplémentaires pour leur protection face à un environnement changeant. / The capacity to cope with environmental changes is crucial to the establishment and persistence of populations. The processes underlying such a capacity can take different forms. The high genetic (and phenotypic) diversity arising from sexual reproduction is one process that allows to cope with different environmental conditions through the survival of at least a few individuals. On the other hand, epigenetic processes, allowing the modification of gene expression, are also responsible for phenotypic variation. Epigenetic changes may occur accidentally (epimutations) or in response to an environmental stimulus (plasticity). Thus, epigenetics would represent an alternative process to genetic variation to explain the ecological success of genetically identical organisms. However, genotypes are not equally capable of coping with environmental changes. Some genotypes are generalists and can acclimatize to a wide range of environmental conditions, whereas other genotypes are specialized and restricted to narrow environmental conditions. The general objective of this thesis is to highlight the processes responsible for the persistence of asexual organisms by determining the relationship between epigenetic processes, phenotypic variation and ecological strategies. To achieve this, the clonal hybrid fish Chrosomus eos-neogaeus were used as a biological model. By reproducing by gynogenesis, the clonal lineages (genotypes) are distributed among the same environments than the sexual parental species. Moreover, the geographical distribution of the lineages suggests the presence of generalist and specialist genotypes. The analysis of these lineages in natural and controlled conditions allowed to disentangling the influence of genetic, environmental and epigenetic variations on phenotypic variation. On the one hand, generalist and specialist strategies were empirically tested: (i) genetic analyses were used to infer the historical processes explaining the diversity and the current distribution of the clonal lineages; (ii) the comparison of methylation patterns in different lineages allowed to determine the dynamism of the epigenetic processes according to environmental fluctuations and to associate them with an ecological strategy: an important environmental or stochastic effect on epigenetic variation being associated with phenotypic iv plasticity or bet-hedging, respectively; and (iii) the role of phenotypic plasticity in niches diversification was highlighted by comparing individuals’ trophic morphology in natural and controlled conditions. On the other hand, the second part of this thesis has allowed to associate a cost (developmental instability) to phenotypic plasticity and to propose a hypothesis about the existence of a demographic handicap necessary to explain the paradox regarding the coexistence of sexual and asexual sperm-dependent organisms. Understanding these different mechanisms underlying the ecological success of organisms in face of environmental heterogeneity allows us to better establish their evolutionary potential and provides additional tools to protect them against changing environments.

The intention of this study was theory creation in the field of organisational change, directed towards the creation of a conceptual change framework. A qualitative research approach was followed and a grounded theory methodology adopted. This study involved a theoretical investigation of organisational change and leadership within South African organisations, although insights gained could be transferred across contexts or settings. The primary aim was to create a practical change framework to ensure sustainable organisational change. Secondly, to determine the impact of leadership on successful organisational change. Thirdly, to establish whether any fundamental elements can be identified as essential for inclusion in such a change framework. Fourthly, to identify non-negotiable success factors that can ensure successful change. Fifthly, to determine the human elements that should be included in order to minimise negative outcomes such as resistance and noncompliance. The final aim was to ascertain what meta-insights can be gained from organisational change and leadership. The research findings concluded that the first perception when speaking about change is fear, anxiety and increased stress, resulting in impaired functioning. Organisations struggle to handle increased stress levels during periods of change and require improved methods of dealing with stress to ensure optimal individual functioning. Only through reduced stress levels will individuals be able to engage with organisational change initiatives. Alternative intervention technologies were suggested which could assist the individual change journey through reduced stress and/or increased consciousness. These alternative intervention technologies were suggested because of the paucity of current literature. It practically aids organisations on how to deal with the stress dilemma. This research introduced the concepts of anti-leader and anti-manager. These concepts depict the negative characteristics of leadership and management which invariably increases individual stress levels. Emotions elicited by the anti-leader and/or anti-manager could potentially split, divide and fragment a workforce. The ideal organisational approach should be designed by the people, be inclusive of all, involve, empower and allow individuals to make the required decisions. As organisational change can only be effected through individual change, this thesis places the individual in the centre. Without individual change, vicissitude and sustainable organisational change become highly unlikely. / Business Management / DBL

Notre recherche a pour objectif de fournir les indicateurs caractérisant l'activité technologique du Maroc. La production technologique a été mesurée à partir des données émanant de deux bases de données sur les brevets : la base de brevets de l'OMPIC qui publie les brevets déposés au Maroc et la base de l'OMPI pour les brevets mondiaux. Notre étude couvre les brevets de priorité marocaine pour une période de 6 ans et son champ d'application concerne l'industrie en tant que marché de l'innovation. Les indicateurs technologiques élaborés s'inscrivent dans le cadre des politiques pour favoriser le transfert des connaissances vers les entreprises. Nous avons puisé dans l'approche systémique et socio-constructiviste les éléments pour étudier le système de la recherche à travers ses aspects historiques, ses inputs, ses relations et son devenir et élaborer des indicateurs technologiques utiles aux décideurs. Nous avons utilisé la bibliométrie des brevets pour rendre compte de la structure des liens entres les producteurs technologiques dans une perspective à la fois sociale et scientifique. Nous avons démontré le peu de structuration en communautés des universités et des entreprises. Les personnes physiques sont à l'origine de 74% des dépôts dont seulement 10% ont une valeur ajoutée. Sur le plan régional, une concentration technologique est observée dans 3 régions. Nous avons soulevé la dépendance technologique du Maroc et proposer une stratégie pour améliorer l'attractivité des territoires à travers des opportunités de collaborations université-entreprise. / The purpose of this work was to provide the indicators characterizing the technological activity in Morocco. The technological production was measured by analyzing patents data extracted from a local and a global database: The OMPIC and WIPO patent database. Our study icludes patents with a moroccan priority for a period of 6 years years (2006-2010) with an application to industry as a potential user of scientific research. Building scientific and technological indicators is placed in the context of public policies to meet the socio-economic needs of the country. This research is based on a systemic and a socio-constructivist approaches to define the structural, functional and historical aspects to provide a comprehensive view of the Moroccan system of scientific and technological research. So, our study has analyzed the technological activity in three segments: companies, universities and individuals. We also studied the structure of collaboration between them and we noted mainly a lack of structuring communities in universities and companies as knowledge producers. The main technological activity emanates from individuals who are responsible for 74% of patenting activity, but only 10% of them are value-added technology. At a regional level, a technological concentration is observed in 3 regions only. we highlight the technological dependence of Morocco and put up a strategy to identify innovative clusters and university-entreprises collaboration.

<p>Modern economic activities, like industry and agriculture, as well as household activities, generate an important amount of refuse. The way we collect, transport, and dispose it will determine the level of environmental contamination. May animals exploit refuse as a food source (i.e., anthropogenic food subsidy) and gulls are the most important group. Refuse subsidizes energetically gull populations, which impacts on their acquisition and allocation of resources, as well as on the environment, with ecological and evolutionary consequences are not well understood. In this dissertation we evaluated potential impacts of refuse on gulls by doing a literature review as well as empirical research on the Kelp Gull (<i>Larus dominicanus</i>) in the Rio de la Plata Estuary in South America. Direct and indirect impacts of refuse on gull species and the environment have been observed during the review process. We have detected positive impacts of refuse on body size, chick growth, fecundity, reproductive success, and population dynamics. However, negative impacts were also found focusing on fecundity, reproductive success, and population dynamics. Indirect negative impacts on other species, water bodies, and airport security were also found. Refuse produces numerous impacts on gulls at the individual, population, and species levels, with indirect negative consequences on ecosystems. There is a need to reduce the access of gulls to sources of refuse to mitigate the existing and potential conflicts with human activities and other species, especially those that are threatened and endangered. During our empirical research we found that refuse was ingested and assimilated by Kelp Gull chicks during the chick rearing period and that the ecological niche width increased with the age of the chick. We propose that parents incorporate isotopically unique food sources to nestling’s diet during their growth, increasing isotopic diversity of nestlings. Additionally, we found that refuse could affect foraging decisions of females during the pre-incubation period, which could positively affect future fecundity and negatively impact reproductive success. We found also that refuse consumption on fecundity and reproductive success of gulls is generally studied at the colony level, using conventional diet techniques, but not much has been done using stable isotopes at the individual level, making comparisons among studies and conclusions difficult to address. We encourage other researchers to continue incorporating the isotopic ecology perspective to study the effect of food subsidies on gulls. Additionally, we found that Kelp Gull on the coast of the Rio de la Plata Estuary ingest plastic debris. We conclude that plastic bags and plastic films might be the most important source of contaminants for the Kelp Gull on the coast of the estuary. Main findings of this dissertation suggests the need for an improvement of waste management practices and a regulation of plastic production and use in Uruguay to reduce plastic ingestion by gulls. Finally, next steps for research are provided in this important area of environmental science and natural resource management.</p>

Résumé non disponible / No summary

Die historischen Stadtzentren (Downtowns) ländlicher Kleinstädte in den USA unterlagen in den letzten Jahrzehnten des 20. Jahrhunderts einem allgemeinen ökonomischen Niedergang und verloren ihre ursprünglich zentrale Funktion, primäre Einzelhandelsstandorte einer Stadt und ihres Umlands zu sein. Ursachen dafür sind vor allem in der Entstehung attraktiver Einzelhandelsstandorte am Stadtrand zu suchen. Ein genereller ökonomischer Aufschwung der Stadtzentren konnte trotz vielfältiger Bemühungen um eine Revitalisierung bisher nicht erreicht werden. Allerdings bestehen Anzeichen eines in erster Linie qualitativen Wandels und einer Spezialisierung ihrer Einzelhandelsfunktion. Auf der Grundlage des Forschungsstands wird in der vorliegenden Arbeit der Einzelhandel in Stadtzentren ländlicher Kleinstädte untersucht. Dadurch soll der in der Literatur angedeutete, aber weder vertiefend beschriebene noch beurteilte Wandel umfassend charakterisiert werden. Folgende Ziel- und Aufgabenstellungen sind damit verbunden: Erstens sollen der Einzelhandel in den Stadtzentren beschrieben und Typen des Einzelhandels abgeleitet werden. Zweitens geht es um die Kennzeichnung von Einflussfaktoren der Entwicklung unter Herausstellung des Wirkens von Stakeholdern. Drittens sollen Schlussfolgerungen zum funktionalen und strukturellen Wandel der Stadtzentren gezogen werden. Im Besonderen wird die Entwicklung des Arts and Crafts Einzelhandels berücksichtigt, der ein im weiteren Sinne kunsthandwerklich orientiertes Warensortiment mit dekorativem Charakter vorhält. Aus Voruntersuchungen kann von einer hohen Bedeutung dieses Einzelhandelssegments ausgegangen werden. Die konzeptionellen Grundlagen dieser Arbeit werden durch die Diskussion standorttheoretischer Ansätze sowie durch die Analyse der Literatur zur Entwicklung des Einzelhandels und der Stadtzentren in den USA gelegt. Daraus werden Annahmen zur Entwicklung des Einzelhandels und der Stadtzentren als Ausgangspunkte der empirischen Untersuchung abgeleitet. Diese besteht aus drei Teilen. Erstens wird eine auf ganz Ohio bezogene Untersuchung zur Lage des Einzelhandels in ländlichen Kleinstädten durchgeführt. Zweitens geht es um die Analyse des Downtown-Einzelhandels in ausgewählten Städten Ohios. Drittens werden im Rahmen von Fallstudien die Strukturen und Einflussfaktoren der Entwicklung zweier Stadtzentren untersucht. Die Methoden der Datenerhebung umfassen Kartierungen, leitfadengestützte Experteninterviews, teilstandardisierte Befragungen von Händlern sowie Dokumenten- und Datenanalysen. Im Hinblick auf den Downtown-Einzelhandel ist festzuhalten, dass (1) kleine Betriebsformen vorherrschen und Filialen von Mehrbetriebsunternehmen weitgehend fehlen, (2) Anzeichen der weiteren Ausdünnung traditionell in Downtown ansässiger Branchen bestehen, (3) zahlreiche Kleinstbetriebe mit geringwertigem Warensortiment (marginal business) vorkommen, (4) der Anteil des spezialisierten Einzelhandels hoch, aber ein weiteres Wachstum unsicher ist und (5) sich der Arts and Crafts Einzelhandel in den Stadtzentren konzentriert. Aus der Untersuchung von mehr als 100 Betrieben werden neun Typen des Einzelhandels in den Stadtzentren abgeleitet. Die Typenbildung erfolgt zunächst anhand der Sortimentsbreite sowie der Zugehörigkeit zum Arts and Crafts bzw. sonstigen Einzelhandel. Darüber hinaus werden Merkmale des Qualitätsniveaus (Low Quality Stores), der Absatzwege (Delivery Stores), der ökonomischen Rationalität (Self-Realization Stores) und der Betriebsgröße (Downtown Anchor Stores) als Vergleichsdimensionen herangezogen. Im Resultat der Untersuchung von Einflussfaktoren der Einzelhandelsentwicklung können als grundlegend benannt werden: (1) die entscheidende Bedeutung lokaler Faktoren, (2) die bestimmende Funktion des Wettbewerbs als Barriere der Entwicklung, (3) die hohe Bedeutung von Kostenfaktoren und der Kostenminimierung, (4) die grundsätzliche Präferenz der Konsumenten für Standorte mit größerer Angebotsvielfalt und (5) die dezidierte Rolle von Stakeholdern. Die letzte Aussage wird durch die Beschreibung und Beurteilung besonderer Entwicklungsfaktoren weiter untersetzt. Dazu zählen die Tätigkeit von Downtown-Managern, das Wirken privater Investoren sowie das Engagement der kommunalen Politik und Verwaltung für die Entwicklung der Stadtzentren. Schlussfolgerungen zum strukturellen und funktionalen Wandel der Stadtzentren als Einzelhandelsstandorte betreffen (1) die Gefahr der wirtschaftlichen Marginalisierung der Stadtzentren, (2) die Bestätigung einer fortgeschrittenen Standortspezialisierung, (3) die Funktion des Stadtzentrums als „Experimentierfeld“ für den nicht-filialisierten Einzelhandel mit lokalem Ursprung, (4) die Ausrichtung physischer Strukturen an historischen Vorbildern und (5) die weitgehende Stabilität soziokultureller Funktionen von Downtown. Die Untersuchungsergebnisse zu Einzelhandelstypen und Einflussfaktoren werden schließlich aufgegriffen, um stabilisierende und destabilisierende Effekte für die Standortentwicklung zu beurteilen. / Historic town centers (downtowns) of rural small cities in the U.S. underwent a process of economic downgrading in the later decades of the 20th century. In consequence, they lost their originally central function as being the primary retail location of a small town and its surroundings. Reasons for this development, particularly, can be found in the emergence of attractive shopping centers at the suburban edge. In spite of manifold revitalization activities, a true and overall economic recovery of downtown cannot be stated. However, there are signs of further change in downtown, mainly linked to qualitative transitions and to the specialization of its retail functions. On the basis of the current state of research this dissertation aims at a comprehensive analysis of downtown retail in rural small cities. Potential developments and changes that have only been mentioned in the literature will be characterized in detail. Three objectives and tasks are connected to this statement: First, the downtown retail shall be described in detail and types of retail businesses shall be derived. Second, impact factors shall be identified, specifically considering impacts of stakeholder activities. Third, conclusions shall be drawn with regard to the functional and structural change of downtown as a retail location. Special attention of this dissertation is connected to the emergence and possible growth of arts and crafts retail businesses selling goods with mainly decorative character. This interest originates from previous research, naming the importance of arts and crafts retail as a possible growth segment of downtown retail. The conceptual foundation of this dissertation contains a discussion on location theory as well as analyses of empiric and further theoretic studies on the development of retail and downtowns in the U.S. In a preliminary conclusion, assumptions are drawn as starting points for the empiric part of this study. The empiric research contains: first, a survey on the location of retail businesses in rural and exurban small cities throughout Ohio; second, an analysis of downtown retail in several chosen small cities in Ohio; and third, an examination of detailed case studies on the structures and development factors of two Ohio small city downtowns. Methods of data collection contain mapping, expert interviews, semi-structured surveys of retail businesses, and data analysis. From the characterization of downtown retail it can be concluded that there are: (1) high percentages of small retail formats in downtown and almost no chain stores, (2) clear indications of further decreasing “traditional” downtown trade-lines, (3) high percentages of very small “marginal businesses” with assortments of lower value, (4) high percentages of specialized retail stores but without considerable signs of further growth, and (5) concentrations of arts and crafts shops in downtown. Furthermore, nine different types of downtown retail businesses can be derived from an investigation of more than 100 stores. For this purpose, downtown businesses are rated by the range of products they offer and by their belonging to arts and crafts or other retail sectors. In addition, further dimensions lead to special types of downtown retail considering specific characteristics of retail stores such as the quality level (“low quality store”), the means of distribution (“delivery store”), questions of economic rationality (“self-realization store”) and the size of a store (“downtown anchor store”). The analysis of impact factors identifies the importance of: (1) local factors against non-local factors causing differences among downtowns, (2) competition as a barrier for downtown retail development, (3) cost factors and the minimization of costs for downtown stores, (4) the consumers’ general preferences for larger locations with a wider range of supplies, and of (5) stakeholder activities as being decisive for downtown development. The latter fact receives further attention in this research by assessing specific constellations of stakeholder activities. Among them are the effects of downtown manager action, the impact of private investors, and the commitment of local administration and politics to downtown. Conclusions on the structural and functional change of downtown as commercial location pertain to (1) the danger of marginalization of downtown’s economic role, (2) the affirmation of an advanced specialization of downtown locations, (3) the incubator or laboratory function of downtown for locally-based retail, (4) the orientation of physical structures towards historic ideals, and (5) the widely stable situation of socio-cultural functions of downtown. Finally, the types of downtown retail and impact factors that have been generated in this dissertation are subject to further assessments. They are rated with regard to potential effects on the stabilization or destabilization of downtown’s role as a commercial location.

Cette thèse porte sur l'analyse des dimensions spatiale et temporelle du fonctionnement et de la diversité taxonomique et fonctionnelle d'une guilde. Au sein d'une guilde, les espèces exploitent un même type de ressources; pour cette raison, les niches écologiques fondamentales des membres d'une guilde sont similaires et une relation de compétition interspécifique se met en place si la ressource partagée est limitante. Quatre questions principales sur le fonctionnement d'une guilde ont été abordées : (1) à quelles échelles spatio-temporelles se structurent la guilde et les ressources exploitées, (2) quelles sont les influences respectives des filtres environnementaux et des interactions interspécifiques sur les traits fonctionnels des membres de la guilde, (3) quelle est la stratégie d'exploitation de ressources d'un membre de la guilde face à une faible disponibilité de ressources et (4) quel est l'impact du contexte climatique sur la structure d'une guilde et de son réseau trophique, et sur le degré de spécialisation écologique des espèces de la guilde sur la ressource. Le modèle biologique de cette étude a été une guilde de parasitoïdes de pucerons de céréales (Hymenoptera : Braconidae : Aphidiinae). Ces parasitoïdes s'attaquent aux pucerons (Homoptera : Aphididae) inféodés aux céréales dans les agroécosystèmes. Les variations d'abondance relative des parasitoïdes et de leurs hôtes ont été importantes aux échelles interrégionale et interannuelle, mais très faibles à l'échelle intra-régionale. La divergence des traits fonctionnels des parasitoïdes s'est maintenue sur trois régions et deux années, et le contexte local a influencé les traits de la guilde dans son ensemble. Pendant la saison hivernale, une période marquée par une faible densité de pucerons, le parasitoïde Aphidius rhopalosiphi a présenté des stratégies contrastées pour maximiser sa fitness en exploitant les hôtes Sitobion avenae et Rhopalosiphum padi, mais une forte spécialisation écologique sur le terrain a été observée en présence d'une espèce compétitrice : Aphidius avenae. Cette présence a pu être corrélée à une hausse des températures hivernales.

The intention of this study was theory creation in the field of organisational change, directed towards the creation of a conceptual change framework. A qualitative research approach was followed and a grounded theory methodology adopted. This study involved a theoretical investigation of organisational change and leadership within South African organisations, although insights gained could be transferred across contexts or settings. The primary aim was to create a practical change framework to ensure sustainable organisational change. Secondly, to determine the impact of leadership on successful organisational change. Thirdly, to establish whether any fundamental elements can be identified as essential for inclusion in such a change framework. Fourthly, to identify non-negotiable success factors that can ensure successful change. Fifthly, to determine the human elements that should be included in order to minimise negative outcomes such as resistance and noncompliance. The final aim was to ascertain what meta-insights can be gained from organisational change and leadership. The research findings concluded that the first perception when speaking about change is fear, anxiety and increased stress, resulting in impaired functioning. Organisations struggle to handle increased stress levels during periods of change and require improved methods of dealing with stress to ensure optimal individual functioning. Only through reduced stress levels will individuals be able to engage with organisational change initiatives. Alternative intervention technologies were suggested which could assist the individual change journey through reduced stress and/or increased consciousness. These alternative intervention technologies were suggested because of the paucity of current literature. It practically aids organisations on how to deal with the stress dilemma. This research introduced the concepts of anti-leader and anti-manager. These concepts depict the negative characteristics of leadership and management which invariably increases individual stress levels. Emotions elicited by the anti-leader and/or anti-manager could potentially split, divide and fragment a workforce. The ideal organisational approach should be designed by the people, be inclusive of all, involve, empower and allow individuals to make the required decisions. As organisational change can only be effected through individual change, this thesis places the individual in the centre. Without individual change, vicissitude and sustainable organisational change become highly unlikely. / Graduate School of Business Leadership / DBL

Improving the repopulation potential of human umbilical cord blood (UCB) haemopoietic stem cells (HSCs) remains a paramount goal in HSC transplantation (HSCT) therapy. This implies enhancing the homing and engraftment potential of UCB-CD34+CD133+ cells to the bone marrow (BM). Although an array of molecules continues to be identified as ‘key’ homing molecules, the molecular mechanisms controlling HSC homing are still not fully understood. The regulatory implications of hypoxia in the BM, with the concomitant stabilisation of hypoxia inducible transcription factor-1α (HIF-1α), are becoming more apparent, yet at the commencement of this thesis no study had explored whether hypoxia induced signalling can be adopted to regulate the homing and engraftment of transplanted HSCs. The aim of this DPhil project was thus to investigate whether hypoxic conditions as detected in the BM influence the adhesion of UBC-CD133+ cells to osteoblasts, BM stromal cells and BM endothelial cells-60 (BMEC-60), as well as their transmigration towards chemokine SDF-1α across BMEC-60. Increasing the exposure of UCB-CD133+ cells to 1.5% O2 doubled the percentage of transmigrating cells (p<0.05), and while hypoxia stimulated UCB-CD133+ cells preferentially adhered to IL-1β stimulated BMEC-60, their adhesion to non-stimulated (BMEC-60) was significantly improved (p<0.001). To help unravel the underlying molecular mechanisms, we attempted to examine the potential involvement of hypoxia regulated scaffolding protein HEF-1/NEDD9/Cas-L (HEF-1) in the increased percentage of migrating UCB-CD133+ cells after hypoxia pre-conditioning. The role of HEF-1 in HSCs is unexplored, and its multifunctional contribution in a variety of processes including cell migration, attachment and invasion make HEF-1 a prime candidate as a contributing homing molecule. After identifying a suitable short-hairpin RNA (shRNA) sequence to knockdown HEF-1, generating lentiviral (LV)-particles in house and optimising transduction protocols, HEF-1 knockdown was achieved in haemopoietic model cell lines KG-1 and KG-1A (KG-1/KG-1A–HEF1). Significantly decreased KG-1A–HEF1 cell adhesion to non-stimulated BMEC-60 was detected. Together, these studies provide a promising platform to further explore the role of HEF-1 in hypoxia induced UCB-CD133+ cell transmigration towards the key homing molecule SDF-1α.