Research Study Participation
You are being invited to participate in a research study. Before you decide if you wish to take part, it is important that you understand why the research is being done and what it will involve. Please take time to read the following information carefully. If you have questions or need further clarification, please contact us. Thank you for considering this study.
What is the purpose of the study?
The study is being completed by Anupa Panta as part of Master’s in Research in Sustainability and Management at the University of Lancashire. It is supervised by Tanja Nathan. The aim of this study is to explore how digital transformation strategies contribute to enhancing both operational and workforce sustainability within Nepalese IT firms.
Why have I been invited to take part?
You are being invited to take part in this study because you are an employee or manager working in a Nepalese IT firm. To be eligible, participants must be aged 18 or over and have at least one year of experience in the IT sector in Nepal.
What will happen if I take part?
You will be invited to participate in a semi-structured interview conducted online via Microsoft Teams or Zoom or Google Meet. The interview will last approximately 30–45 minutes and will include questions related to digital tools, operational practices, employee engagement, and workforce sustainability in Nepalese IT firms. With your consent, the interview will be audio-recorded and later transcribed for analysis. All responses will be treated with strict confidentiality.
Do I have to take part?
No, participation is entirely voluntary. You may decline to answer any question and can exit the interview at any point. However, once the interview has concluded and the data has been anonymized and transcribed, it may not be possible to withdraw your data.
How will my data be used?
Your responses will remain completely anonymous. The data will be securely stored in password-protected files on the University of Lancashire servers. Only the student and her supervisor will have access. No personal data will be collected, and responses will be used solely for academic purposes.
Are there any risks in taking part?
There are no perceived risks or disadvantages involved in taking part in this study.
Are there any benefits from taking part?
While there are no direct personal benefits, your contribution will help us better understand how digital transformation supports sustainable business practices in Nepal's IT sector.
What will happen to the results of the study?
The findings will be used for a Master’s dissertation and may also be shared in academic publications and presentations.
What will happen if I want to stop taking part?
You can stop participating at any point during the interview. However, once the interview has concluded and your responses have been anonymized and transcribed, it will not be possible to withdraw your data.
Who has reviewed this study?
The study has been reviewed and approved by the School of Business Ethics Panel at the University of Lancashire.
Who can I contact if I have further questions?
Researcher: Anupa Panta
Email: [email protected]
Supervisor: Tanja Nathan
University of Lancashire, Preston, PR1 2HE