Research Study: Exploring the Digital Transformation of Occupational Work from an Organisational History Perspective

What is this study about?

We are conducting a research study about how members of professional occupations (e.g., lawyers, journalists, architects, doctors, or teachers) make sense of new digital technologies and the impacts they have on their work. Taking part in this study is voluntary.

Please read this sheet carefully and ask questions about anything you don't understand or want to know more about.

Who is running this study?

The study is being carried out by the following researchers:

• Dr Malshika Dias, Lecturer, Discipline of Business Information Systems, The University of Sydney Business School
• Dr Julian Prester, Lecturer, Discipline of Business Information Systems, The University of Sydney Business School

Who can take part in the study?

We are seeking members of professional occupations who can speak English and who are impacted by digital transformation.

You have been invited to take part in this study because you are a member of a professional occupation using digital technologies to perform your work, based on public information provided on the membership page of your international professional association. Your role and experience make you a valuable source of insight into exploring the digital transformation of occupational work from an organisational history perspective.

What will the study involve for me?

If you decide to take part in this study, you will be asked to respond to the invitation email so we can arrange a convenient interview time. The interview should take approximately 60 minutes. Interviews will be conducted via Zoom and will be audio recorded. There will be no cost to you for taking part in this research, and you will not be paid by the researchers for your participation.

Can I withdraw once I have started?

Being in this study is completely voluntary and you do not have to take part.

Your decision will not affect your current or future relationship with the researchers or anyone else at The University of Sydney.

If you decide to take part in the study and then change your mind, you can withdraw by emailing Malshika Dias, malshika.dias@sydney.edu.au. If you change your mind about participating during the interview, please let the researchers know.

If you take part in an interview you may refuse to answer any questions that you do not wish to answer.

If you choose to withdraw, we will stop collecting information from you. If you don't want the information already collected to be in the study results, please tell us at the time you withdraw.

Are there any risks or costs?

Aside from giving up your time, we do not expect that there will be any risks or costs associated with taking part in this study. However, if you do experience distress after the study, you can contact:

Are there any benefits?

You will not receive any direct benefits from being in the study. Indirectly you may benefit from the research by understanding the nature of digital transformation and its implications for your professional occupation. We also offer you short summary of the overall results of our study if you wish to receive them.

What will happen to information that is collected?

By providing your consent, you are agreeing to us collecting information from or about you for the purposes of this study.

Any identifiable information you provide us will be stored securely and will only be disclosed with your permission unless we are required by law to release information.

We plan to publish the study findings. The findings may contribute to scientific journal articles, conference presentations, policy reports, news articles or opinion pieces. After data collection, identifiable information will be anonymized during the transcription process. To ensure confidentiality and privacy, participants will be referenced in the dissemination of research findings through the use of pseudonyms, aliases or by the countries, and their occupational roles. A summary of the findings will also be provided to all interested participants.

You will not be individually identifiable in these publications. All findings that are reported will protect individual privacy and data will only be reported in an aggregated form.

We will store this information and dispose of it securely following the University's Recordkeeping Policy. For more details about how your information will be handled please see the University's privacy webpage.

Will I be told the results of the study?

You have the right to receive feedback about the overall results of this study by providing contact details on the consent form. This feedback will be in the form of a brief summary of the findings or any publications that may result from this study.

What if I would like more information?

When you have read this information, the following researcher(s) will be available to discuss it with you further and answer any questions you may have:

• Dr Malshika Dias, malshika.dias@sydney.edu.au
• Dr Julian Prester, julian.prester@sydney.edu.au

What if I have a complaint or any concerns?

The ethical aspects of this study have been approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) of The University of Sydney [ethics reference: 2024/HE001083] according to the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research.

If you are concerned about the way this study is being conducted or you wish to make a complaint to someone independent from the study, please contact the University:

Human Ethics Manager
human.ethics@sydney.edu.au
+61 2 8627 8176