With the advent of COVID-19, adaptation became a norm. Research data-collection methods similarly required adaptation, birthing the use of virtual platforms as first-line data collection tools to adhere to COVID-19 restrictions. This chapter presents an autoethnographic account of virtual qualitative data collection. A PhD candidate shares her experience of conducting individual and focus group interviews virtually in a developing nation. A discussion of the narrative and recommendations for virtual qualitative data collection are provided.

The introduction of digital approaches is perhaps the most significant change to the way that healthcare research is conducted that has been seen since computers first came into use. This introductory chapter will set the tone for the rest of the book. The book is divided into two parts: 1. digital platforms, and 2. approaches to healthcare research that are either uniquely digital or are adaptations of existing approaches to the online context. Within each of these parts, a collection of chapters by distinguished and rising authors present digital platforms and techniques and consider these as applied to a wide range of healthcare studies. This introduction will consider the broad area that the book addresses and will similarly be divided into the same two sections. The unique aspects of digital research approaches will be highlighted and emphasised, and the reader will be prepared for the chapters that follow.

This chapter examines the exclusive distribution agreement, namely the contract by which the supplier undertakes towards the exclusive distributor to supply the supplier with certain goods at a certain price and to ensure the supplier exclusivity within a certain territory, in exchange for the exclusive distributor’s undertaking to pay the price and to promote the sale of the goods in the allocated territory. This chapter firstly explores the notion of the exclusive distribution agreement and its functions before examining its legal nature and delimitations with other contracts found under Swiss law. This chapter then moves on to the conclusion of the exclusive distribution agreement and examines in detail the obligations of the supplier and exclusive distributor. Finally, this chapter explores the non-performance of the exclusive distribution agreement and the end of the exclusive distribution agreement with particular emphasis on the compensation for goodwill.

This chapter explores the simple mandate contract which is governed by Articles 394–406 of the Swiss Code of Obligations. This chapter commences with the sources of this contract, its main characteristics as well as its delimitations with other contracts. This chapter then moves on to discuss the formation of the simple mandate contract before discussing in detail the obligations of the agent and the principal. These include the agent’s obligation to provide the promised services, duty to render the services in a diligent and faithful manner, duty to give an account, duty to return and duty to transfer vested rights as well as the principal’s duty to reimburse expenses, duty to discharge the agents from their obligations, duty to compensate for any loss incurred and obligation to pay fees. Finally, this chapter explores the end of the simple mandate contract either by termination or due to legal reasons.