We ask you to participate in a scientific study: Algorithmic Management in the Workplace. Participation is voluntary. In order to let you join, we do need your online permission.

Before you decide whether you want to participate in this research, you will be informed about what the research entails. Read this information carefully and ask the researcher to explain if you have questions. You can also ask the principal investigator, who is mentioned at the end of this letter, for additional information.

1. Purpose of the research

As part of my MSc thesis in Management Sciences at the Open Universiteit Nederland, I am going to research how employees perceive different designs of algorithmic management systems. My supervisor for this research is Dr. Alexander Henkel.

2. Background of the research

Prior research has shown that employees may oppose algorithmic management systems. In this research, I want to build on this recent work and investigate when and why employees oppose these systems.

3. What participation means and what is expected of you

Participation involves completing an online survey, which will take approximately 8 minutes. The survey consists of a hypothetical workplace scenario and questions about your perceptions of yourself and others in this context as well as control and demographic variables.

4. Possible advantages and disadvantages

While there are no direct personal benefits, your responses will contribute to a better understanding of how organizations can implement algorithmic management in ways that support employee trust, motivation, and well-being, helping organizations develop more effective management policies. There are no significant risks associated with participation. However, if any questions make you feel uncomfortable, you are free to skip them or withdraw from the study at any time without any consequences.

5. If you do not want to participate or want to stop the research

You decide whether you will participate in the research. Participation is voluntary. If you do not want to participate, this does not have any negative consequences for you. If you do participate, you can always change your mind and quit, even during the research. In order to do so, you can simply close the browser window of the online survey. You do not have to explain why you quit. The data collected up to that moment may be used for the research.

6. End of participation

Your participation in the research ends when you have filled in the online survey. The entire research is finished when all participants are ready.

7. Use and storage of your data

For this research, demographic data is collected, used, and stored. It concerns your age, and gender. This data cannot be traced back to you in any way. The collection, use and storage of your data is necessary to answer the questions posed in this study and to put the results in perspective to the broader population. The results of the research will be shared with the general public. The data cannot be traced back to you in reports and publications about the research.

Data can also be shared with other researchers to conduct further research. The data that will be shared does not contain any information that can be traced back to you. Further research does not hold any consequences and will be fully anonymous.

8. Confidentiality of your data

The demographic data can’t identify you in any way. The data will be safely stored like this within the Open University. Persons who access the information are the researcher and the principal investigator.

9. Access to your data for control

In order to be able to assess whether the investigation has been carried out in a reliable manner, members of a visitation committee can inspect the information.

10. Duration of data storage

Your data must be kept for 10 years by the Open University.

11. More information about your rights when processing data

For general information about your rights when processing personal data, you can consult the website of the Dutch Data Protection Authority. The privacy disclaimer of the Open University can be found at www.ou.nl/privacy.

12. Do you have questions?

If you have any questions, please contact the researcher or principal investigator.

13. Signing the consent form

If you have had sufficient time for reflection, you will be asked to decide on participation in this study. By your online consent you indicate that you have understood the information and agree to participate in the research.

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