Why do we trust? Moving beyond individual to dyadic perceptions.

The authors studied the factors related to the development of trust between pairs of coworkers (dyads) in a new product development team and found reciprocal effects for propensity to trust and trust in dyads.

Abstract

Trust between coworkers is critical to the success of organizations and teams. This is especially true for those who are geographically dispersed and who must interact virtually. The authors studied the factors related to the development of trust between pairs of coworkers (dyads) in a new product development team. Some of the members were colocated, and others worked virtually. Using the actor-partner interdependence model, the authors found reciprocal effects for propensity to trust and trust in dyads. They found that propensity has greater influence on trust for virtual dyads and that trust has less influence on organizational citizenship when partners are virtual. Trustworthiness was shown to fully mediate the influence of trusting predisposition on trust.