Joint Venture Trust: Interpersonal, Inter-Group, and Inter-Firm Levels

Abstract

Abstract Breakdowns in the value creation process in joint ventures QVs) often stem from problems in managing interdependencies. A lack of trust between partners is one such problem (Borys and Jemison, 1989). Our assessment of the extant literature indicates that, despite substantial conceptual and empirical writings, confusion exists regarding the interpretation of research findings in the area of JV trust. A key reason why this confusion exists is that researchers have devoted little attention to issues of level. Building on the theoretical foundation of the ‘cooperating behaviour’ perspective on inter-organizational alliances (Faulkner and de Rand, chap. 1, above), the objective of this chapter is to explicate conceptual, measurement, and analysis issues associated with studying JV trust at the interpersonal, inter-group, and inter-firm levels.