Ethical issues

The ethical issues require special care and consideration, since many of the topics in this project are sensitive, and some of the participants may be in vulnerable positions.

SUSTAIN consortium recognises the questions relating to participant confidentiality and research data collection and handling to be of utmost importance. All research team’s members is skilled at dealing with ethical issues, and well-known good scientific practices will be adhered to and contracted. The project will follow the guidelines of good scientific practice set out by the National Advisory Board on Research Ethics in Finland and ACA’s guidelines.

Only people participating of their own free will, will be interviewed, and the project will keep all interviews confidential to maintain high ethical standards in research. The recorded material will be transcribed and archived securely. Any personal data that may allow the identification of research participants will be removed.

Ethical issues may also arise from the use of case companies’ internal documents. All documents will be handled securely and with care, and all data which might allow the identification of case firms will be removed or coded.

Individuals and firms participating in SUSTAIN projects can trust in remaining anonymous. Any information provided to the SUSTAIN consortium will be used for research purposes only, and only those projects which have been stated in advance, unless otherwise contacted.