No description available.

No / The work was funded by the Leeds Social Science Institute.

Organisations need to learn from their current and past experiences to optimise their activities, decisions and future strategies. Non-governmental organisations are similar to public or governmental departments in that learning is crucial for their existence. One of the key factors influencing learning is the development and maintenance of a functional organisational memory. The organisational memory is a dynamic entity encompassing more than the storage facilities provided by an information technology system. It also resides in human form, acting as reservoirs and interpretation centres and feeding the organisational memory as a whole. Previous research in organisational memory focussed mostly on describing the structure of the storage systems, with the current focus on developing management information systems to enhance organisational memory storage and retrieval. Some work has been undertaken to describe the processes involved, which include accessing, storing and retrieving the memory. Other functions that need special attention are the development of data to information, and especially creating and using knowledge. The studies mostly involved existing organisational memory as it was represented at a specific time of the organisations’ development. This study looks at all the different developmental phases of a regional NGO, which include start-up, expansion in target territory, expansion in activities, consolidation and close-out. To investigate the temporal changes of organisational memory in a regional intermediary NGO, a retrospective case study methodology was used. The NGO was closing down, providing an opportunity to investigate all the stages of development. The data collection, analysis and interpretation involved various in-depth interviews with current and past staff members and other key stakeholders, such as beneficiary organisations and consultants. In addition, a complex set of documents were studied, including proposals, strategic documents, minutes of meetings, and audiovisual material. The main themes and factors, such as individuals, leadership, electronic and other management of the organisational memory, culture, including the importance of a vision and theory of change, policies and global developments are discussed using a temporal ecological framework. The key findings of this study illustrate the importance of directories as part of the metamemory in accessing seemingly dormant organisational memories. The conclusion is that organisational memory survives after the demise of the organisation and that it is accessible through directories. / Psychology / Ph. D. (Consulting Psychology)

L’attention portée sur la notion de “gouvernance” est expliqué pour être associé, dans cette thèse, au domaine de la coopération internationale pour le "développement". La “gouvernance”, dans ce sens, est compris comme un réseau d'interactions, à un ensemble d'acteurs et d'organisations, avec les relation qu'ils soient conformes à l'autre, marqué par des contradictions et des défis. C'est parce que la pratique de la coopération internationale pour le “développement” se produit dans des conditions asymétriques, dans lesquelles un groupe dominant d’acteurs a plus de pouvoir pour fixer des règles du jeu (HERMET, 2002; 2003; 2005; HERMET; KAZANCIGIL, 2005; NAVARRO-FLORES, 2007), ce qui potentialise l’apparition de conflits. Aussi le "développement", un terme profondément idéologisé, est une autre source de conflit sur le processus d'articulation des acteurs impliqués dans des actions de coopération internationale. Cette thèse vise à contribuer à la compréhension du modèle de gouvernance dominante dans la coopération Nord-Sud orientée pour le “développement”. Une étude de cas interprétative simple qui caractérise le type d'étude dans cette thèse. La méthode de recherche est composé des techniques de l’Analyse Interprétative ainsi que des méthodes comparative et d'observation. Comme résultats, les données de recherche indiquent, entre autres choses, une distribution centralisée des ressources, en se concentrant surtout sur les résultats et la diffusion des “bonnes pratiques”, un manque d’articulation entre les différents acteurs concernés, en particulier en matière de communication. En plus, la focalisation de l'attention est la dimension instrumentale du processus pour les acteurs stratégiques, sans égard à la dynamique et la spécificité du processus luimême. / A atenção colocada sobre a noção de “governança” é explicada na medida em que esta é associada, nesta tese, ao campo da cooperação internacional para o “desenvolvimento”. “Governança”, neste sentido, é compreendida como uma rede de interações, no sentido de um conjunto de atores e de organizações, juntamente com as relações que estes conformam entre si, pautada por contradições e desafios. Isto porque a prática da cooperação internacional para o “desenvolvimento” ocorre sob condições assimétricas, em que um grupo dominante de atores tem mais poder para definir as regras do jogo (HERMET, 2002; 2003; 2005; HERMET; KAZANCIGIL, 2005; NAVARRO-FLORES, 2007), o que potencializa a ocorrência de conflitos. Também o “desenvolvimento”, termo profundamente ideologizado, constitui outra fonte de conflito incidente sobre o processo de articulação dos atores em torno de ações de cooperação internacional. Esta tese tem por objetivo contribuir para a compreensão do modelo de governança dominante na cooperação Norte-Sul orientada para o “desenvolvimento”. Um estudo de caso interpretativo simples caracteriza o tipo de estudo desta tese, sendo o método de investigação composto por técnicas da Análise Interpretativa bem como pelos métodos de comparação e observação. Como resultados, os dados da pesquisa apontam, entre outros elementos, uma distribuição de recursos centralizada, com foco principal no resultado e na disseminação de “boas práticas”, uma carência de articulação entre os diversos atores implicados, sobretudo com relação à comunicação, além do foco de atenção ser a dimensão instrumental do processo por parte dos atores estratégicos, sem atentar para a dinâmica e para a especificidade do próprio processo.

Organisations need to learn from their current and past experiences to optimise their activities, decisions and future strategies. Non-governmental organisations are similar to public or governmental departments in that learning is crucial for their existence. One of the key factors influencing learning is the development and maintenance of a functional organisational memory. The organisational memory is a dynamic entity encompassing more than the storage facilities provided by an information technology system. It also resides in human form, acting as reservoirs and interpretation centres and feeding the organisational memory as a whole. Previous research in organisational memory focussed mostly on describing the structure of the storage systems, with the current focus on developing management information systems to enhance organisational memory storage and retrieval. Some work has been undertaken to describe the processes involved, which include accessing, storing and retrieving the memory. Other functions that need special attention are the development of data to information, and especially creating and using knowledge. The studies mostly involved existing organisational memory as it was represented at a specific time of the organisations’ development. This study looks at all the different developmental phases of a regional NGO, which include start-up, expansion in target territory, expansion in activities, consolidation and close-out. To investigate the temporal changes of organisational memory in a regional intermediary NGO, a retrospective case study methodology was used. The NGO was closing down, providing an opportunity to investigate all the stages of development. The data collection, analysis and interpretation involved various in-depth interviews with current and past staff members and other key stakeholders, such as beneficiary organisations and consultants. In addition, a complex set of documents were studied, including proposals, strategic documents, minutes of meetings, and audiovisual material. The main themes and factors, such as individuals, leadership, electronic and other management of the organisational memory, culture, including the importance of a vision and theory of change, policies and global developments are discussed using a temporal ecological framework. The key findings of this study illustrate the importance of directories as part of the metamemory in accessing seemingly dormant organisational memories. The conclusion is that organisational memory survives after the demise of the organisation and that it is accessible through directories. / Psychology / Ph. D. (Consulting Psychology)

L’attention portée sur la notion de “gouvernance” est expliqué pour être associé, dans cette thèse, au domaine de la coopération internationale pour le "développement". La “gouvernance”, dans ce sens, est compris comme un réseau d'interactions, à un ensemble d'acteurs et d'organisations, avec les relation qu'ils soient conformes à l'autre, marqué par des contradictions et des défis. C'est parce que la pratique de la coopération internationale pour le “développement” se produit dans des conditions asymétriques, dans lesquelles un groupe dominant d’acteurs a plus de pouvoir pour fixer des règles du jeu (HERMET, 2002; 2003; 2005; HERMET; KAZANCIGIL, 2005; NAVARRO-FLORES, 2007), ce qui potentialise l’apparition de conflits. Aussi le "développement", un terme profondément idéologisé, est une autre source de conflit sur le processus d'articulation des acteurs impliqués dans des actions de coopération internationale. Cette thèse vise à contribuer à la compréhension du modèle de gouvernance dominante dans la coopération Nord-Sud orientée pour le “développement”. Une étude de cas interprétative simple qui caractérise le type d'étude dans cette thèse. La méthode de recherche est composé des techniques de l’Analyse Interprétative ainsi que des méthodes comparative et d'observation. Comme résultats, les données de recherche indiquent, entre autres choses, une distribution centralisée des ressources, en se concentrant surtout sur les résultats et la diffusion des “bonnes pratiques”, un manque d’articulation entre les différents acteurs concernés, en particulier en matière de communication. En plus, la focalisation de l'attention est la dimension instrumentale du processus pour les acteurs stratégiques, sans égard à la dynamique et la spécificité du processus luimême. / A atenção colocada sobre a noção de “governança” é explicada na medida em que esta é associada, nesta tese, ao campo da cooperação internacional para o “desenvolvimento”. “Governança”, neste sentido, é compreendida como uma rede de interações, no sentido de um conjunto de atores e de organizações, juntamente com as relações que estes conformam entre si, pautada por contradições e desafios. Isto porque a prática da cooperação internacional para o “desenvolvimento” ocorre sob condições assimétricas, em que um grupo dominante de atores tem mais poder para definir as regras do jogo (HERMET, 2002; 2003; 2005; HERMET; KAZANCIGIL, 2005; NAVARRO-FLORES, 2007), o que potencializa a ocorrência de conflitos. Também o “desenvolvimento”, termo profundamente ideologizado, constitui outra fonte de conflito incidente sobre o processo de articulação dos atores em torno de ações de cooperação internacional. Esta tese tem por objetivo contribuir para a compreensão do modelo de governança dominante na cooperação Norte-Sul orientada para o “desenvolvimento”. Um estudo de caso interpretativo simples caracteriza o tipo de estudo desta tese, sendo o método de investigação composto por técnicas da Análise Interpretativa bem como pelos métodos de comparação e observação. Como resultados, os dados da pesquisa apontam, entre outros elementos, uma distribuição de recursos centralizada, com foco principal no resultado e na disseminação de “boas práticas”, uma carência de articulação entre os diversos atores implicados, sobretudo com relação à comunicação, além do foco de atenção ser a dimensão instrumental do processo por parte dos atores estratégicos, sem atentar para a dinâmica e para a especificidade do próprio processo.

La préoccupation initiale de cette recherche était d’évaluer le rôle que pouvaient jouer les OIG dans la bonne gouvernance mondiale. Il s’agissait donc de savoir si les OIG étaient capables de penser globalement ou si elles demeuraient liées par les politiques des grands Etats. L’enjeu principal est ainsi devenu la mesure de leur degré d’autonomisation face aux intérêts des grandes puissances. Dans ce but, nous nous sommes penchés sur leur élargissement vers de nouveaux domaines d’action, pas nécessairement inscrits dans leur mandat initial et qui peuvent même changer la nature de l’Organisation. Cet élargissement dicté par l’environnement des OIG, engendre chevauchement et recoupement, et impose l’analyse de la coopération éventuelle entre elles. Nous avons donc étudié le rapport entre l’autonomisation des OIG, leur élargissement et leur coopération, en supposant qu’une plus grande autonomisation permettrait un plus grand élargissement et exigerait, en principe, une plus grande coopération. A cet effet, trois Organisations ont fait l’objet de notre étude de cas. Il s’agit de l’UNESCO, l’OMC et l’OMPI. Certes, les trois Organisations ont des origines différentes mais elles se croisent après un élargissement ou un développement de leurs activités autour d’un lieu commun : la culture. Un sujet apparemment « soft » mais qui camoufle des enjeux économiques assez importants. Il divise la communauté internationale et crée des tensions sérieuses au sein des forums internationaux. La domination culturelle remet en question la diversité culturelle. Les PED sont de plus en plus en difficulté pour sauvegarder leur culture face à l’ouverture des marchés et au développement de la technologie dictés par la globalisation. L’inquiétude face à la domination culturelle est également celle de quelques pays développés comme le Canada, la France, qui voient leurs territoires dévastés par la culture américaine surtout au niveau de la production cinématographique. Nous avons pu dégager à travers notre recherche que le rapport entre les OIG à travers la production des différentes normes dans le domaine culturel apparait plutôt conflictuel que coopératif, même si paradoxalement ce sont les mêmes Etats qui adoptent les différentes normes ici et là. Il semble que le jeu de pouvoir dans les différentes Organisations n’est pas le même, les acteurs ne sont pas les mêmes, les enjeux ne sont pas les mêmes et les valeurs ne sont pas les mêmes. Ceci dit, l’autonomie ou l’autonomisation recherchée par les OIG les pousse dans une direction qui n’est pas tout le temps favorable à la coopération interétatique. Il en découle la multiplicité des normes d’une part et leur incompatibilité d’autre part. Dans certains cas, elles sont même contradictoires. De même, la hiérarchie entre les OIG n’est pas fixée d’une façon permanente. Elle est plutôt changeable et réversible. Tout dépend de la façon dont l’Organisation poursuit ses objectifs, et comment elle interagit avec son milieu. Les Organisations « faibles » ou « idéologiques » ont leur fonction dans l’architecture mondiale. Elles se placent entre les pays riches et les pays pauvres et tentent d’établir un certain équilibre, rompu par les forces économiques. Ces Organisations peuvent minimiser ou bloquer ou retarder l’application des normes. Nous concluons avec l’idée que le conflit ou la compétition entre les différents acteurs de la scène internationale y compris les OIG rend la gouvernance mondiale acceptable mais que la bonne gouvernance mondiale reste une utopie. / The first concern of this research at its inception was to assess the role of Intergovernmental Organizations in global Governance. Are IGOs able to think globally or are they so tied to the most powerful states that they lack autonomy? The next step was to measure the degree of autonomy of these IGOs and their capacity to go beyond the most powerful states interests. We also aim as studying the process of their extension to new fields that are not necessarily mentioned in their initial mandate and that could even change the nature of the Organization. This extension dictated by their environment generates overlapping actions and cross-cheking procedures, which make the study of an eventual cooperation between them necessary. Our objective is therefore to study the relationship between IGO's autonomy (i.e., the process of their autonomisation), their extension and their cooperation. The greater is the autonomy of an IGO, the greater is its extension, and supposedly greater is its cooperation. For that purpose, our case study focuses on three Organizations that have the subject of culture in common: UNESCO, WTO and WIPO. Indeed, these three Organizations have different origins but are dealing with culture, since they extended their initial scope of interest. UNESCO dealt first with the physical heritage and then with the intangible heritage and eventually addressed the diversity of cultural expressions that can includes tradable goods and services. WTO, which was originally conceived as a Forum of negotiation for free trade, is now involved in Intellectual property of cultural goods through the TRIPS. WIPO, the technical Organization for Intellectual property now harbors a debate on Traditional knowledge, Genetic resources and Folklore. These subjects are obviously related to UNESCO's intangible heritage and cultural expressions, and to the concerns of the WTO since the products of Traditional knowledge and genetic resources are tradable goods. Thus, the intersection point between these three Organizations is culture. A subject that is apparently soft is actually hiding important economic issues. In particular, it divides the international community and is the source of serious tension in international fora. Cultural domination is threatening cultural diversity. The developing countries are becoming more and more unable to preserve their culture when confronted to open markets and to the technology development enhanced by globalization. Some developed countries such as Canada and France are also worried about the threatening of their culture by an American invasion of their territories through cinema and television productions. We conclude that the relationship between different IGOs in the field of cultural norms production looks more conflictual than cooperative even if, paradoxically, the same states are adopting the norms in most fora. Since the power game was different in each Organization, actors and values are different as well. Consequently, the autonomy targeted by IGOs is not always translated into a better inter states cooperation. It generates a multiplicity of norms. In some cases, they are even contradictory. Likewise, the hierarchy of IGOs is not permanent, but changing and reversible. The rank of an IGO depends on how it is pursuing its objectives and how it is reacting with its environment. The weakest or the most ideological Organizations have a function in the international architecture. They are positioning themselves between rich and poor countries, and try to establish some balance, not to be overwhelmed by big economic players. These Organizations can minimize, block or delay norms' implementation. Thus, it is the competition between the different actors that makes global governance acceptable. Therefore, good global governance remains an utopia.

L’attention portée sur la notion de “gouvernance” est expliqué pour être associé, dans cette thèse, au domaine de la coopération internationale pour le "développement". La “gouvernance”, dans ce sens, est compris comme un réseau d'interactions, à un ensemble d'acteurs et d'organisations, avec les relation qu'ils soient conformes à l'autre, marqué par des contradictions et des défis. C'est parce que la pratique de la coopération internationale pour le “développement” se produit dans des conditions asymétriques, dans lesquelles un groupe dominant d’acteurs a plus de pouvoir pour fixer des règles du jeu (HERMET, 2002; 2003; 2005; HERMET; KAZANCIGIL, 2005; NAVARRO-FLORES, 2007), ce qui potentialise l’apparition de conflits. Aussi le "développement", un terme profondément idéologisé, est une autre source de conflit sur le processus d'articulation des acteurs impliqués dans des actions de coopération internationale. Cette thèse vise à contribuer à la compréhension du modèle de gouvernance dominante dans la coopération Nord-Sud orientée pour le “développement”. Une étude de cas interprétative simple qui caractérise le type d'étude dans cette thèse. La méthode de recherche est composé des techniques de l’Analyse Interprétative ainsi que des méthodes comparative et d'observation. Comme résultats, les données de recherche indiquent, entre autres choses, une distribution centralisée des ressources, en se concentrant surtout sur les résultats et la diffusion des “bonnes pratiques”, un manque d’articulation entre les différents acteurs concernés, en particulier en matière de communication. En plus, la focalisation de l'attention est la dimension instrumentale du processus pour les acteurs stratégiques, sans égard à la dynamique et la spécificité du processus luimême. / A atenção colocada sobre a noção de “governança” é explicada na medida em que esta é associada, nesta tese, ao campo da cooperação internacional para o “desenvolvimento”. “Governança”, neste sentido, é compreendida como uma rede de interações, no sentido de um conjunto de atores e de organizações, juntamente com as relações que estes conformam entre si, pautada por contradições e desafios. Isto porque a prática da cooperação internacional para o “desenvolvimento” ocorre sob condições assimétricas, em que um grupo dominante de atores tem mais poder para definir as regras do jogo (HERMET, 2002; 2003; 2005; HERMET; KAZANCIGIL, 2005; NAVARRO-FLORES, 2007), o que potencializa a ocorrência de conflitos. Também o “desenvolvimento”, termo profundamente ideologizado, constitui outra fonte de conflito incidente sobre o processo de articulação dos atores em torno de ações de cooperação internacional. Esta tese tem por objetivo contribuir para a compreensão do modelo de governança dominante na cooperação Norte-Sul orientada para o “desenvolvimento”. Um estudo de caso interpretativo simples caracteriza o tipo de estudo desta tese, sendo o método de investigação composto por técnicas da Análise Interpretativa bem como pelos métodos de comparação e observação. Como resultados, os dados da pesquisa apontam, entre outros elementos, uma distribuição de recursos centralizada, com foco principal no resultado e na disseminação de “boas práticas”, uma carência de articulação entre os diversos atores implicados, sobretudo com relação à comunicação, além do foco de atenção ser a dimensão instrumental do processo por parte dos atores estratégicos, sem atentar para a dinâmica e para a especificidade do próprio processo.

Bakgrund Oavsiktlig hypotermi hos patienter i samband med kirurgi är mycket vanligt förekommande. Det perioperativa teamet har en viktig roll att med hjälp av kunskap och tillgänglig utrustning förebygga hypotermi. Syftet med studien var att belysa aspekter som kan påverka arbetet med att förebygga hypotermi i samband med kirurgi, utifrån operations- och anestesisjuksköterskors erfarenheter. Metod Intervjuer med fyra operationssjuksköterskor och fyra anestesisjuksköterskor analyserades för att belysa deras aspekter på hypotermi hos patienter i samband med kirurgi. En kvalitativ ansats valdes och innehållsanalys gjordes. Resultat Resultatet består av sex kategorier: Att kommunicera om en bra miljö för alla, Prioritering av åtgärder, Betydelsen av respekt och kommunikation för samarbetet, Kunskap och medvetenhet, Rutiner, riktlinjer och checklistor samt Ny arbetskultur. Dessa kategorier visar att kunskap om hypotermi finns men att det många gånger beror på samarbetet i det perioperativa teamet om åtgärder vidtas eller ej. Alla kategorier berör olika aspekter av att arbeta i team. Att arbeta tillsammans i team framträder som ett genomgående tema. Slutsats Resultatet visar att kulturen i ett team, både kan vara en styrka och en svaghet för arbetet med att förebygga hypotermi. För att komma till rätta med det förebyggande arbetet mot hypotermi krävs insatser för ett förbättrat teamarbete bl.a. genom en förändrad arbetskultur. / Background Inadvertent hypothermia in patients during surgery is very common. The perioperative team has an important role to use the knowledge and the equipment available to prevent hypothermia. The aim of the study was to illustrate aspects that can affect efforts to prevent hypothermia during surgery, based on operating theatre and anesthesia nurses' experiences. Method Interviews with four operating theatre nurses and four nurse anesthetists were analyzed to illustrate aspects of hypothermia in patients during surgery. A qualitative approach was chosen with a content analysis. Results The result showed six categories: Communicating for a good environment for everyone, Prioritizing actions, The importance of respect and communication for cooperation, Knowledge and awareness, Routines, guidelines and checklists and New work culture. These categories showed that knowledge of hypothermia exists but often it depends on the cooperation within the perioperative team whether an action is done or not. All categories relate to different aspects of working in teams. Throughout all categories Working together in a team emerges as a theme. Conclusion The result showed that the culture in a team, can be both a strength and a weakness for working with prevention of hypothermia. It requires action for improved teamwork for example through a change in the work culture.

Over the past two decades, the South African economy has witnessed a decrease in its capacity to recruit new entrants into the formal labour market. South Africa’s economy is not producing enough employment opportunities to accommodate the influx of annual new entrants into the labour market, such as school leavers. As a result of the inadequate ability of South Africa’s formal labour market to absorb new entrants, coupled with the rising youth unemployment, the South African government has prioritised the development of small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) and entrepreneurship as a means to combat these challenges. Entrepreneurship, as a recognised intervention for the development and growth of an economy through the creation of jobs and poverty alleviation, is an important topic in business literature. Many countries around the world are increasingly recognising the significant contributions that SMMEs make to the employment and income generation aspects of the economy. Despite the contributions that SMMEs and small organisations (SOs), including small service organisations (SSOs), make to the economy, they have multiple difficulties to overcome. While SOs are viewed as powerful mechanisms that contribute to economic development and growth through increasing employment opportunities and wealth, they face certain obstacles that impede their growth potential and, sometimes, even lead to failure. Business incubators are organisations established to support SOs and SMMEs and are recognised as making a significant contribution to reducing business failure. South Africa and countries all over the world are beginning to appreciate the value of incubators as salient institutions that support small organisations. Various forms of business incubators have been developed, including university business incubators (UBIs) which provide support for potential entrepreneurs through ensuring that mentoring, financing, networks and business training is available. Business incubators offer incubation programmes, which include a variety of services and networking resources, to incubates. Whilst numerous studies have been done on the services that incubators offer incubates in the international context, limited research has been conducted on the services that entrepreneurs require from a UBI in the South African context. The primary objective of this study was to determine the essential incubator services that small service organisations require from UBIs within the South African context in order to guide the formation of policy objectives, marketing strategies and marketing procedures. The target population relevant to this study was defined as owners/managers of small service organisations situated in the Vaal Triangle region of South Africa. The sampling frame for the study comprised a list of small service organisations situated in the Vaal Triangle region, as obtained from the Vaal Triangle Info Business Directory. From this sampling frame, a non-probability judgement sample of 125 owners/managers of SSOs in the auto, estate agents and property management, health care and beauty, hospitality and accommodation, and professional service industry sectors was drawn. An unsolicited calling approach was followed, whereby the researcher personally visited each small service organisation individually to request permission to partake in the study. Thereafter, self-administered questionnaires were delivered for completion by the relevant owners/managers of each participating SSO, which were collected thereafter. In order to measure their perceptions of essential UBI services, participants were requested to indicate on a six-point Likert scale the level of unimportance or importance of 41 services. The owners/managers‟ perceptions of the importance of the six UBI service constructs over the business life-cycle phases were measured using multiple-choice questions, whereby the participants were asked to choose one of the five alternatives provided. The owners/managers‟ perceived value of UBI services was measured using dichotomous questions. In addition, certain demographical data were requested from the participants. The findings of this study indicate that the owners/managers of SSOs perceive UBI services as being important. They indicated networking and professional services as the most important UBI services, followed by management services, general business services, physical facilities and financial consulting services, of which university services were perceived as being the least important. The findings suggest that the UBI services were mostly required in the pre-start-up, start-up and growth phases of the SSO‟s business life-cycle phases. While UBI services were deemed important by both young and mature organisations, the owners/managers of young organisations perceived management services as more important than those of more mature organisations. In terms of the perceived value of UBI services, the findings reveal that although owners/managers perceived the UBI services to be important, they expressed minimal interest in utilising those services. Based on the participants‟ level of agreement concerning the perceived importance of UBI services, cluster analysis revealed two clusters, namely Cluster 1 and Cluster 2. The participants in Cluster 1, comprising more female participants and young organisations, perceived the UBI services as more important than those participants in Cluster 2. Since the idea of UBIs is relatively new in South African, and given that they have yet to prove their value to industry, getting stakeholders to buy into the concept remains a daunting task. Insights gained from this study will help business incubators, universities, government and other stakeholders understand current entrepreneurs‟ perceptions towards the important UBI services required by SSOs. This, in turn, will help guide UBIs in the formation of their policy objectives, marketing strategies and marketing procedures. / PhD (Marketing Management)--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2015.