Decision making in events

Participant Information

I am conducting research on decision making in the events sector, which is an area of significant importance, particularly in relation to risk management and creating successful event experiences. My research explores how decision making in the delivery of an event happens, including build/rig and de-rig/clear. The research will form part of my PhD at the University of Northampton.

This survey investigates approaches to decision making with specific consideration of making difficult decisions when managing events. My aim is to understand how decisions are made under pressure and in challenging circumstances in response to a failure of some form, e.g. supplier fails to deliver, presenter/performer fails to arrive, technical failure and so on.

I am looking for industry professionals from all parts of the events sector to take part in this survey with an option to be more significantly involved in the subsequent research discussions. I would like to invite you to take part in this survey about decision making in events management.

Before you decide whether you wish to participate, it is important for you to understand why the study is being conducted and what it will involve. Please take some time to read the information provided and discuss it with others if you wish. Please ask if there is anything that is not clear, or if you would like more information.

What is the research about?
This survey is about your approaches to decision making with specific consideration of making difficult decisions when managing the event itself. My aim in this first stage of the research is to understand how decisions are made under pressure, identifying general practice.

Why have I been invited?
You have been invited to take part in the survey because you are a professional in the events sector or related discipline. I would be very grateful for your time and input if you take part in this survey.

What does the research involve?
The survey involves answering a series of questions about yourself and then your responses to 5 real event scenarios, considering the decisions you might make, how you approach those decisions and what influences your choices. The survey should take approximately 25 minutes to complete.

What will happen to my personal data?
The survey will give you a reference number to identify your data should you wish to withdraw it from the study but is otherwise anonymous. If you choose to participate in the subsequent research sessions, then your email address will be retained solely for communications regarding the research activity.  All data collected will be stored in the University of Northampton Research Sharepoint in a secured folder with password protection.

What will happen to my survey responses as I might talk about events I have managed or been involved with?
It is important that all participants in the survey and further research sessions respect the confidentiality of others in relation to the information shared, including your previous experiences.  The survey data and information and insight derived from it will be used anonymously.

Do I have to take part?
No – your participation is voluntary, and you are free to withdraw from the survey at any time prior to submitting your answers. Participants will be able to withdraw their data up to 1 month after submission of the survey. The survey data will be retained for 10 years in secure cloud storage and will only be used for academic purposes such as publications in academic journals, conferences and for the PhD.  All data presented in the research will be presented anonymously.

What are the possible benefits of taking part?
The information obtained from this study will be used for developing a model(s) of good practice in on-event decision making and identifying factors that support effective decision making.

How will my data be processed?
This study has been reviewed by an ethics committee to check that your personal data will be kept secure and used only in the way you have been told it will be. Your consent will be sought for processing your data in this way. The ethics committee has also checked that data collection is “in the public interest, scientific or historical research purposes or statistical purposes... proportionate to the aim pursued” as required by the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) (2016, Article 9).

Under the GDPR all researchers must have a legal basis for processing any personal data about you. During the study you will be asked for information about age, gender, education, employment status, the part of the sector you work in, the scale of events you manage and the type of organisation you work for/with. The University of Northampton confirms that processing of your personal data will be handled in a lawful manner as required by GDPR article 89(1) and the Data Protection Act 2018 sections 19(1)(b) and (c). We therefore confirm that the processing of your data in this project is in the public interest, has due regard for your rights and freedoms as a participant (‘data subject’) and will be stored and processed in a secure manner. The University of Northampton is the Data Controller for this project. If you have any concerns about the collection, use and storage of data in this project please contact the University of Northampton’s Data Protection Officer phil.oakman@northampton.ac.uk.

What if I have a question or concern?
You are free to discuss concerns with myself, the researcher, Claire Drakeley (Claire.drakeley@northampton.ac.uk), or my supervisors Dr Sarah Rawlinson (sarah.rawlinson@northampton.ac.uk) and Dr Nick Naumov (nick.naumov@northampton.ac.uk ). This project has been reviewed and ethically approved by the Research Ethics Committee at the University of Northampton.

How will I hear about the results of the research?
The results of the research will be shared via publication of the thesis and summary findings circulated to the membership of industry associations.  The findings will also be shared via industry media.  There is an option to submit your email address if you would like to receive the findings directly.

Thank you for considering participating in this research.