Participant Information Letter and Consent for Anonymous Participants

You are being invited to participate in a research study entitled Innovation Risk, Success and Actions within Manufacturing Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), conducted by Drs. Glenn Brophey (glennb@nipissingu.ca), 
 David Hemsworth (davidhe@nipissingu.ca), Anahita Baregheh (anahitab@nipissingu.ca) from the School of Business at Nipissing University 
 in conjunction with Dr. Dean Hay (deanh@nipissingu.ca) of the Faculty of Education and Dr. Mark Wachowiak ()markw@nipissingu.ca) of the Faculty of Arts and Science. 
 This research is funded under the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada. If you have any questions or concerns about the research, please feel free to contact Glenn Brophey on 705 474 3450 ext 4479.


The purpose and objectives of this study are to identify risks faced by managers during New Product Developments, the actions taken to deal with these risks and the associated success with these actions and risks. In particular, we are developing a consultative tool to help managers of manufacturing SMEs with their decision making when faced with risks.




Participation Procedures



 If you volunteer to participate in this study, we would ask you to complete an online questionnaire that takes about 10-15 minutes of your time.
-The results of this study will be presented and published in academic conferences and journals (again without disclosure of your identity). Data collected through this questionnaire will be destroyed after 10 years.
-There are no known risks involved in completing this questionnaire.
-Agreement to fill out the questionnaire will be informative as it provides insights to the innovation risks and actions within other organizations operating in similar contexts.
-The result of this study provides direction for future risk-based research and stage specific research within the process of innovation.
-Confidentiality of respondents will be kept at all times. An Email Campaign has been developed which automatically distributes the questionnaire and handles data collection, as such researchers of this study will not be able to link the collected data to the identity of the respondents.
-Three research assistant (RAs) from Nipissing University’s School of business have been hired to assist in data collection. It should be noted that the RAs will maintain the confidentiality of this study.

Confidentiality Process

Any information that is obtained from you in connection with this study is anonymous. Participation in this study is voluntary and you are free to withdraw at any time. You have the right to refuse to answer any question(s) that you find objectionable or which make you feel uncomfortable. Completion of this survey signifies your informed consent. Please keep a copy of this information letter for your records.

This study has been reviewed and received ethics clearance through Nipissing University's Research Ethics Board. If you have questions regarding your rights as a research participant, contact:




Ethics Coordinator, F309

 Nipissing University

 North Bay, ON P1B 8L7

Telephone: 705 474 3450 ext. 4055

 Email: ethics@nipissingu.ca

 Fax: 705 474 5878