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Trust Management: Key Factor of the Sustainable Organizations Embedded in Network

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2018) | Viewed by 109872

Printed Edition Available!
A printed edition of this Special Issue is available here.

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Barbara Kożuch

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute of Economics, Finance and Management, Jagiellonian University Kraków, 31-007 Kraków, Poland
Interests: foundations of management sciences; systems and methods of management; project management and human resource management; multicultural management; conditions of efficient functioning of the public sector; particularly in regards to change management in health care; education; culture; public safety
Dr. Adam Jabłoński

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Institute of Management and Quality, WSB University in Poznan, 61–895 Poznan, Poland
2. OTTIMA Plus, 40-594 Katowice, Poland
Interests: business models; strategic management; sustainable business; performance management; social and digital economy; railway transport
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Nowadays, trust is an important determinant of the development of modern organizations. Not only does it become an increasingly important element of the relationship between entities, but, above all, it positively influences the building of the organization's intellectual capital. This capital is differently classified, but always contains components that determine the potential of sustainable organizations, often in the human, social, relational, organizational and innovation dimensions. Trust is more often the key determinant of this capital (Kożuch, Lenart-Gansiniec, 2017). It can be differently defined. However, the basis of many definitions is building relationships focused on developing some kind of individual or inter-organizational link. Organizational trust is defined as authentic and advanced, which is the basis of all organized activities performed by people in the organization, largely due to such features as needing trust, developed through relationships, and the relationship with integrity and commitment. Thus, it is interesting to associate the category of trust with building the intellectual capital of the sustainable organization. Intellectual capital plays a special role here. It is a navigator and platform for achieving not only the competitive advantage of the sustainable organization but also the source of value creation in the short and long term. Then, this strategic hybrid composed of a business model, strategy and business processes is favorable to the development of intellectual capital (Jabłoński 2017). Trust is an element that ties this capital with relationships in business. This has an integrated character (R.C. Mayer, J. H. Davis, F. D. Schoorman 1995). Assuming that nowadays an important paradigm is the network paradigm, it is worth asking how the mechanism of building trust-based intellectual capital of the sustainable organization functions as its key asset in a network environment.

References:

Kożuch, B.; Lenart-Gansiniec, R. Trust and Knowledge Sharing. In Intuition, Trust, and Analytics; Liebowitz, L., Paliszkiewicz, J., Gołuchowski, J., Eds.; CRC Press, Taylor & Francis Group, Auerbach Publications: ‎Boca Raton, FL, USA, 2018.

Jabłoński, A. (Ed.) Conceptualization and operationalization of a strategic hybrid with a geometric approach. In Business Models, Strategies, Impacts and Challenges; Nova Publishers: New York, NY, USA, 2017.

Mayer, R.C.; Davis, J.H.; Schoorman, F.D. An Integrative Model of Organizational Trust. Acad. Manage. Rev. 1995, 20, 712–714.

Prof. Barbara Kożuch
Prof. Adam Jabłoński
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • trust management
  • networks
  • intellectual capital
  • sustainable organizations
  • sustainable business models
  • sustainable strategy
  • sustainable performance management
  • business continuity
  • sustainable value

Published Papers (21 papers)

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Research

27 pages, 2710 KiB  
Article
Interorganizational Trust and Effectiveness Perception in a Collaborative Service Delivery Network
by Krzysztof Opolski, Piotr Modzelewski and Agata Kocia
Sustainability 2019, 11(19), 5217; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11195217 - 24 Sep 2019
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2849
Abstract
This study presents the determinants of trust in light of the scientific literature on trust and governance networks. The theoretical analysis focuses on differentiation of various types of trust and its determinants at both for-profit and nonprofit organizations. Moreover, the idea of a [...] Read more.
This study presents the determinants of trust in light of the scientific literature on trust and governance networks. The theoretical analysis focuses on differentiation of various types of trust and its determinants at both for-profit and nonprofit organizations. Moreover, the idea of a network is presented with the main attention given to the performance of collaborative service delivery networks. On the basis of theoretical study, a longitudinal analysis was performed at institutions providing services to the homeless people in Warsaw, Poland. During the periods of 2013 and 2017 to 2018, two cohorts of field questionnaire studies were conducted among employees of 18 social welfare centers (sample based on 18 Warsaw districts) and homeless shelters run by nonprofit organizations (samples of 19 and 22, respectively). These local government institutions and nonprofit organizations comprised the collaborative service delivery network under study. Mixed-method research was applied at welfare centers and nonprofit organizations (NGOs) where both frontline and management level employees were interviewed, and some data were statistically evaluated. The research was conducted using the same questionnaires at both points in time. The research showed that, from the perspective of social welfare centers, interorganizational trust in relation to other social welfare centers and to nonprofit organizations is positively correlated with perceived interorganizational effectiveness of other actors in the network (measured by the possibility of obtaining information, promptness, commitment, completeness and correctness of documents, and assessment of employees’ knowledge). The same results were obtained from the perspective of NGOs. In addition, these correlations remained almost unchanged over time, although the research was repeated after many years using the same variables. Finally, there is no basis to state that trust is correlated with outcome perception when considering the most difficult and complex social services. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Trust Management: Key Factor of the Sustainable Organizations Embedded in Network)
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16 pages, 748 KiB  
Article
Enhancing Sustainable Employment Relationships: An Empirical Investigation of the Influence of Trust in Employer and Subjective Value in Employment Contract Negotiations
by Anca-Maria Clipa, Cătălin-Ioan Clipa, Magdalena Danileț and Andreia Gabriela Andrei
Sustainability 2019, 11(18), 4995; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11184995 - 12 Sep 2019
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 4497
Abstract
The article presents the results of an empirical study investigating the relationships between trust in the employer, the subjective value attained in the negotiation of the employment contract, job satisfaction and employee willingness to (re)negotiate in order to maintain long-term employment relationship. The [...] Read more.
The article presents the results of an empirical study investigating the relationships between trust in the employer, the subjective value attained in the negotiation of the employment contract, job satisfaction and employee willingness to (re)negotiate in order to maintain long-term employment relationship. The study develops a research model, based on the existing literature, and uses the partial least-squares technique, and data collected from 373 information technology professionals, to test it. The results indicate the positive effect of the employee’s trust in the employer on job satisfaction and willingness to (re)negotiate. Furthermore, the subjective value perceived by the employee in the employment contract negotiation has an increased positive influence on both employee satisfaction and employee willingness to use (re)negotiation to overcome potential issues and maintain the employment relationship long term. Overall, the results of the study bring evidence about the importance of trust and the subjective value in attaining sustainable employment relationships, and therefore sustainable human resource management (HRM). The results provide valuable insights for managers committed to the development of their organizations by promoting sustainable employment relationships. The study offers to firms a ready-to-use model for promoting sustainable employment relationships in organizations operating in knowledge-intensive sectors, such as information technology (IT). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Trust Management: Key Factor of the Sustainable Organizations Embedded in Network)
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28 pages, 1069 KiB  
Article
The Role of Trust in Sustainable Heritage Management Networks. Case Study of Selected Cultural Routes in Poland
by Ewa Bogacz-Wojtanowska, Anna Góral and Marek Bugdol
Sustainability 2019, 11(10), 2844; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11102844 - 18 May 2019
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 3835
Abstract
Currently, the most common way of managing cultural heritage in a sustainable manner takes the form of cultural routes. The phenomenon of cultural routes mainly results from their innovative organisation, different from the previously adopted institutionalised and formalised heritage management structure that did [...] Read more.
Currently, the most common way of managing cultural heritage in a sustainable manner takes the form of cultural routes. The phenomenon of cultural routes mainly results from their innovative organisation, different from the previously adopted institutionalised and formalised heritage management structure that did not align with the contemporary discourse around cultural heritage, which currently constitutes one of the bases of sustainable development. The novel idea focuses on the active involvement of many diverse entities in heritage management: not only public sector organisations with their statutory appointment for this purpose, but, first and foremost, entrepreneurs who create heritage products, tourists visiting sites on the route, or people who create this heritage. Thus, the cultural route acquires the characteristics of a network-points (nodes) that are shaped depending on the needs of the region and its inhabitants, their knowledge, experience, current ideas about a given place, and the way in which specific communities would like to be perceived. The undertaken research problem explores what features cultural route networks have and how they are managed, as well as what values, including trust, are manifested in the mutual relations of route-related entities. An original concept of shaping trust within the network of cultural routes has also been proposed based on the research results. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Trust Management: Key Factor of the Sustainable Organizations Embedded in Network)
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16 pages, 1655 KiB  
Article
Smart DAG Tasks Scheduling between Trusted and Untrusted Entities Using the MCTS Method
by Yuxia Cheng, Zhiwei Wu, Kui Liu, Qing Wu and Yu Wang
Sustainability 2019, 11(7), 1826; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11071826 - 27 Mar 2019
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3409
Abstract
Task scheduling is critical for improving system performance in the distributed heterogeneous computing environment. The Directed Acyclic Graph (DAG) tasks scheduling problem is NP-complete and it is hard to find an optimal schedule. Due to its key importance, the DAG tasks scheduling problem [...] Read more.
Task scheduling is critical for improving system performance in the distributed heterogeneous computing environment. The Directed Acyclic Graph (DAG) tasks scheduling problem is NP-complete and it is hard to find an optimal schedule. Due to its key importance, the DAG tasks scheduling problem has been extensively studied in the literature. However, many previously proposed traditional heuristic algorithms are usually based on greedy methods and also lack the consideration of scheduling tasks between trusted and untrusted entities, which makes the problem more complicated, but there still exists a large optimization space to be explored. In this paper, we propose a trust-aware adaptive DAG tasks scheduling algorithm using the reinforcement learning and Monte Carlo Tree Search (MCTS) methods. The scheduling problem is defined using the reinforcement learning model. Efficient scheduling state space, action space and reward function are designed to train the policy gradient-based REINFORCE agent. The MCTS method is proposed to determine actual scheduling policies when DAG tasks are simultaneously executed in trusted and untrusted entities. Leveraging the algorithm’s capability of exploring long term reward, the proposed algorithm could achieve good scheduling policies while guaranteeing trusted tasks scheduled within trusted entities. Experimental results showed the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm compared with the classic HEFT/CPOP algorithms. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Trust Management: Key Factor of the Sustainable Organizations Embedded in Network)
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16 pages, 1041 KiB  
Article
The Impact of Trust on the Approach to Management—A Case Study of Creative Industries
by Joanna Radomska, Przemysław Wołczek, Letycja Sołoducho-Pelc and Susana Silva
Sustainability 2019, 11(3), 816; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11030816 - 04 Feb 2019
Cited by 16 | Viewed by 4432
Abstract
Companies operating in the creative industries are struggling with the simultaneous pressure to be innovative and creative, which requires access to unique resources (such as knowledge and creative potential), but also means they must be effective in actions taken. To find a balance [...] Read more.
Companies operating in the creative industries are struggling with the simultaneous pressure to be innovative and creative, which requires access to unique resources (such as knowledge and creative potential), but also means they must be effective in actions taken. To find a balance between those tensions, they are using the networking approach. Therefore, it seems that networking is becoming a high priority and that being involved in networks is a crucial part of such companies’ business models. Nevertheless, their competitive advantage is based on creative potential, which means that they are rooted in building and maintaining internal relations. As a result, in creative industries, relationships with internal and external stakeholders are crucial, but are strongly based on trust. Thus, the main aim of this paper is to investigate whether trust is the main factor influencing the approach to management. Moreover, we tried to understand the impact of trust on the managerial actions taken. We used the multiple case study research method to examine the role of trust in cooperation, as well as in shaping internal relations in companies operating in the creative industries. To achieve that goal, 10 companies from Poland and Portugal (5 from each country) were investigated in order to find any regularities. By analyzing the research results, it was possible to identify consistencies among the sample and present the main findings. Therefore, four approaches distinguished by the degree of trust were identified. When the level of trust is low, companies are operating within their network based on close relationships, as well as using collective participation where the team is perceived as a key success factor. On the other hand, when the level of trust is higher, companies move towards cooperative management (where the role of competitors is crucial) as well as individual participation (where an employee is engaged in the creative, as well as the decision-making, process). As a result, a theoretical model is proposed that includes the level of trust and the external and internal stakeholders’ perspective. Based on our research, trust can also be added as a fourth ‘T’ to the ‘3T’ (talent, tolerance and technology) concept proposed by Florida (2003). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Trust Management: Key Factor of the Sustainable Organizations Embedded in Network)
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25 pages, 538 KiB  
Article
How Practices of Managing Partnerships Contributes to the Value Creation—Public–Social Partnership Perspective
by Aldona Frączkiewicz-Wronka and Martyna Wronka-Pośpiech
Sustainability 2018, 10(12), 4816; https://doi.org/10.3390/su10124816 - 17 Dec 2018
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2853
Abstract
In this paper, the authors aim to answer the question of which model of public management—Public Administration, New Public Management, or Collaborative Public Management—is conducive to achieving better results in the public-social partnership. We understand public–social partnership as an activity undertaken in collaboration [...] Read more.
In this paper, the authors aim to answer the question of which model of public management—Public Administration, New Public Management, or Collaborative Public Management—is conducive to achieving better results in the public-social partnership. We understand public–social partnership as an activity undertaken in collaboration between organizations operating both in the public and social sectors. We also claim that Collaborative Public Management fosters sustainability in partnerships and should therefore be preferred in partnerships that are focused on delivering social services. In particular, we aim to find out how management practices that are used in the public-social partnership contribute to the co-creation of public value. The article brings together theoretical insights and empirical data. First, we integrate insights from different strands of literature. Next, empirical data are derived from two main sources: first, a specific case of the public-social partnership established by 18 institutions and organisations, followed by quantitative research that was conducted in 173 partnerships in Poland. Based on the presented case study, analysis of the survey results and in-depth interviews (IDIs) conducted with the 18 leaders of the organisations constituting the partnership, the observed pattern revealed the dominance of the Collaborative Public Management model contributing to the success of the partnership. It was also identified what actions were taken by the manager of the partnership in order to maintain links between the partners, build trust, and win their support and legitimisation in public space—all of which are necessary to create public value, which in turn contributes to the sustainability of the partnership. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Trust Management: Key Factor of the Sustainable Organizations Embedded in Network)
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21 pages, 3048 KiB  
Article
A Study of Trust and Cooperation in the Nzoia River Basin Using a Water Policy Game
by Abby Muricho Onencan, Bert Enserink and Bartel Van de Walle
Sustainability 2018, 10(12), 4678; https://doi.org/10.3390/su10124678 - 08 Dec 2018
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2857
Abstract
Nzoia river basin county governments barely cooperate in water resources management to jointly increase the basin’s food and energy productivity levels, due to limited trust. In this paper, we propose a game-based approach that can be replicated in any river basin, to assess [...] Read more.
Nzoia river basin county governments barely cooperate in water resources management to jointly increase the basin’s food and energy productivity levels, due to limited trust. In this paper, we propose a game-based approach that can be replicated in any river basin, to assess trust and collaboration processes. In particular, we used the pre-game, in-game, and post-game assessment results to assess the relationship between Cooperation and Competition; Trust and Trustworthiness; Trust and Distrust; and (Dis) trust, Complexity, and Uncertainty. The initial assessment of respondents’ propensity to trust (PTS) was divided into two variables (trust and trustworthiness) while adopting the unidimensional view of trust and distrust. We later examined whether we could separate the two constructs using a multidimensional scaling (MDS) technique known as the ALSCAL procedure. There are potentially significant results. Namely, that: trustworthiness and trust are not complementary; both cooperation and competition coexisted and increased throughout the game; more profound complexity and uncertainty led to an increment in trust, and reduced complexity and uncertainty led to a decrease in distrust. Based on the results and discussions, we provide recommendations for further research on trust, trustworthiness, and distrust in the river basin management context. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Trust Management: Key Factor of the Sustainable Organizations Embedded in Network)
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43 pages, 10074 KiB  
Article
The Strategic Hybrids of Water Supply Companies as an Effective Management Tool
by Barbara Kożuch and Adam Jabłoński
Sustainability 2018, 10(12), 4450; https://doi.org/10.3390/su10124450 - 27 Nov 2018
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 4052
Abstract
The mechanisms of water supply company management have been dynamically evolving recently. This is particularly related to factors that regulate the functioning of companies in this sector. This applies both to embedding such entities in the legal structure, and the management rules at [...] Read more.
The mechanisms of water supply company management have been dynamically evolving recently. This is particularly related to factors that regulate the functioning of companies in this sector. This applies both to embedding such entities in the legal structure, and the management rules at both the strategic and tactical-operational levels. It is increasingly important how decisions are made in the conditions of pressure, limitations, opportunities and threats that these companies, which create value for stakeholders, face. This way of making decisions is determined by the adopted model of business, strategy, business processes and strategic projects that create a kind of a strategic hybrid. The hybrid determines the effectiveness of water supply companies that operate in accordance with the rules of the regulated market. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Trust Management: Key Factor of the Sustainable Organizations Embedded in Network)
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14 pages, 238 KiB  
Article
Trust at a Distance—Trust in Online Communication in Environmental and Global Health Research Projects
by Jasper R. De Vries, Séverine Van Bommel and Karin Peters
Sustainability 2018, 10(11), 4005; https://doi.org/10.3390/su10114005 - 01 Nov 2018
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3848
Abstract
Online collaboration to deal with (global) environmental and public health problems continues to grow as the quality of technology for communication improves. In these collaborations, trust is seen as important for sustainable collaborations and organizations. However, face-to-face communication, which is often lacking in [...] Read more.
Online collaboration to deal with (global) environmental and public health problems continues to grow as the quality of technology for communication improves. In these collaborations, trust is seen as important for sustainable collaborations and organizations. However, face-to-face communication, which is often lacking in these contexts, is seen as a pre-requisite for trust development. Therefore, this paper aims to explore empirically which factors influence the emergence of trust in the early stages of online collaboration. Using the relevant literature, we conducted a series of interviews around projects in the field of public health and the environment on the interface between science and practice. The results show that trust does develop between participants. This trust is strongly influenced by perceived ability and integrity, fostered by reputation, third-party perceptions, and project structure. In these contexts, these types of trust facilitate collaboration but are also influenced by a wider set of aspects such as power, expectations, and uncertainty. However, from the results we also conclude that online collaboration does not create benevolence and a shared identity, thereby limiting further trust development and leading to less strong relations. Strong relations, however, are deemed important to reach creative and innovative solutions and long-term sustainable collaboration and organizations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Trust Management: Key Factor of the Sustainable Organizations Embedded in Network)
22 pages, 515 KiB  
Article
Trust-Based Quality Culture Conceptual Model for Higher Education Institutions
by Małgorzata Dzimińska, Justyna Fijałkowska and Łukasz Sułkowski
Sustainability 2018, 10(8), 2599; https://doi.org/10.3390/su10082599 - 24 Jul 2018
Cited by 47 | Viewed by 8028
Abstract
Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) play a crucial role in societies as they enhance the sustainable development of nations. In a context of increasing competition and financial difficulties in higher education institutions, the loyalty of students, faculty and administration staff as well as institutional [...] Read more.
Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) play a crucial role in societies as they enhance the sustainable development of nations. In a context of increasing competition and financial difficulties in higher education institutions, the loyalty of students, faculty and administration staff as well as institutional reputation are key factors for survival and success. They are built upon trust and high quality of services rendered by HEIs. The intentional development of trust serves the purpose of enhancing the quality culture in higher education. The concept of quality culture has become a natural successor of quality management and quality assurance in universities presenting a new perspective for viewing quality at HEIs—as a combination of structural and managerial with cultural and psychological components. This paper provides an elaboration of a novel Trust-Based Quality Culture Conceptual Model for Higher Education Institutions which presents the perceived interconnections between trust and quality culture at HEIs. It can form a source for an inquiry process at HEIs, thus contributing to better contextual diagnosis of the stage where HEI is in the process of building the quality culture based on trust. The findings of this study are important in better understanding the quality culture development in HEIs that is based on trust, loyalty and reputation. It may have an impact on the decision-making processes concerning HEIs’ management. The proposed model contributes to the need for greater clarity, ordering and systematization of the role of trust in the processes of quality culture development. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Trust Management: Key Factor of the Sustainable Organizations Embedded in Network)
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17 pages, 606 KiB  
Article
Investigating the Links of Interpersonal Trust in Telecommunications Companies
by Helena Bulińska-Stangrecka and Anna Bagieńska
Sustainability 2018, 10(7), 2555; https://doi.org/10.3390/su10072555 - 20 Jul 2018
Cited by 19 | Viewed by 6935
Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to determine if there are links between interpersonal trust and competences, relations, and cooperation in Polish telecommunications companies. It examines which factors affect trust in co-workers and managers in sustainable organizations. The paper surveys a sample of [...] Read more.
The purpose of this paper is to determine if there are links between interpersonal trust and competences, relations, and cooperation in Polish telecommunications companies. It examines which factors affect trust in co-workers and managers in sustainable organizations. The paper surveys a sample of 175 employees of telecommunications companies in Poland by means of a questionnaire. The results indicate that competences, relations, and cooperation are related to interpersonal trust. Regression analysis showed that competences and relations predict a significant variance in trust amongst co-workers. Additionally, cooperation contributes to prediction of trust in mangers. Given the importance of trust in sustainable organizations, better comprehension of which factors are related to team confidence provides valuable information for stakeholders and about how to improve interpersonal trust in sustainable organizations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Trust Management: Key Factor of the Sustainable Organizations Embedded in Network)
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16 pages, 385 KiB  
Article
The Effect of Trust on Acquisition Success: The Case of Israeli Start-Up M&A
by Piotr Trąpczyński, Ofer Zaks and Jan Polowczyk
Sustainability 2018, 10(7), 2499; https://doi.org/10.3390/su10072499 - 17 Jul 2018
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3693
Abstract
Given the frequent failure of many M&A deals, the question of their sustainability is a critical one. Still, in existing literature, there is a visible emphasis on the perspective of the acquiring firm and its characteristics in affecting M&A performance. Moreover, the role [...] Read more.
Given the frequent failure of many M&A deals, the question of their sustainability is a critical one. Still, in existing literature, there is a visible emphasis on the perspective of the acquiring firm and its characteristics in affecting M&A performance. Moreover, the role of trust, both from the acquiring and acquired firms, has not received extensive attention to date. The present paper builds on a quantitative and qualitative study of Israeli high-tech start-ups acquired by international firms to explore the effects of trust on M&A success. Our study indicates that trust from acquired firm managers positively affects acquisition success, although trust from the acquiring firm (expressed with the autonomy that it leaves to the acquired firm) is not a significant predictor of acquisition success. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Trust Management: Key Factor of the Sustainable Organizations Embedded in Network)
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21 pages, 3983 KiB  
Article
In Search of Network Sustainability: A Multi-Level Perspective on the Paradox of Cooperation and Competition in Networks
by Agata Austen
Sustainability 2018, 10(7), 2466; https://doi.org/10.3390/su10072466 - 13 Jul 2018
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 4303
Abstract
Although all types of public collaborative networks are aimed towards taking joint actions, relations between partner organizations are not always so explicit. Referring to the dialectic approach, it may be concluded that a number of tensions are identifiable in networks, among them tension [...] Read more.
Although all types of public collaborative networks are aimed towards taking joint actions, relations between partner organizations are not always so explicit. Referring to the dialectic approach, it may be concluded that a number of tensions are identifiable in networks, among them tension between cooperation and competition. Understanding the tensions that exist in inter-organizational networks is vital for a proper comprehension of networks, as continuous efforts to meet multiple, divergent demands should bring about long–term sustainability. To examine the phenomena of cooperation and competition in interorganizational networks, a quantitative study on local partnerships among Social Welfare Centers and other public institutions and non-profit institutions was conducted. Using a multi-level perspective, the research introduces orientation towards both cooperation and competition at different levels of analysis and examines the tensions between them. The results of this research show that there is a mutual influence of orientation towards competition/cooperation, both at the individual level and the network level, and that there is a mutual influence of the reconciliation of the contradictions between orientation towards cooperation and orientation towards competition both at the individual level and the network level. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Trust Management: Key Factor of the Sustainable Organizations Embedded in Network)
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23 pages, 2389 KiB  
Article
The Effects of Inter-Partner Trust on Third-Country Relocation of International Joint Ventures in China
by Yong-Sik Hwang and Kidong Kim
Sustainability 2018, 10(7), 2384; https://doi.org/10.3390/su10072384 - 09 Jul 2018
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3115
Abstract
This study explores how inter-partner trust in international joint ventures (IJV) affects third country relocation decisions as foreign partners face an uncertain business environment in China due to wage increases and competition from local companies intensifies. As the concept of third-country relocation is [...] Read more.
This study explores how inter-partner trust in international joint ventures (IJV) affects third country relocation decisions as foreign partners face an uncertain business environment in China due to wage increases and competition from local companies intensifies. As the concept of third-country relocation is relatively new compared to other international business concepts, it is crucial to find a solid framework that can explain this phenomenon. A study of 232 Korean IJVs operating in China was used to assess the relationship between inter-partner trust and third-country relocation intention. Also, we measured moderating variables that strengthen (plant performance, asset specificity, coercive pressure) and weaken (mimetic pressure and normative pressure) the negative relationship between trust and third-country relocation intention. The main effect and interaction effects were significant in showing that inter-partner trust hinders decisions on IJV’s third-country relocation. In addition, the results show that trust and third-country relocation relationship interact with other moderating variables. In conclusion, our study suggests that foreign IJVs should explore various aspects such as inter-partner relationships and internal and institutional factors before making decisions on IJV relocation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Trust Management: Key Factor of the Sustainable Organizations Embedded in Network)
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19 pages, 1862 KiB  
Article
Trust and Distress Prediction in Modal Shift Potential of Long-Distance Road Freight in Containers: Modeling Approach in Transport Services for Sustainability
by Elżbieta Szaruga, Elżbieta Skąpska, Elżbieta Załoga and Wiesław Matwiejczuk
Sustainability 2018, 10(7), 2370; https://doi.org/10.3390/su10072370 - 08 Jul 2018
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 4122
Abstract
Confidence in intermodal transport has not yet been defined. There are many different approaches to the concept of trust. However, the authors have integrated them with the paradigm shift in light of the challenges of sustainability. The objective of this article is to [...] Read more.
Confidence in intermodal transport has not yet been defined. There are many different approaches to the concept of trust. However, the authors have integrated them with the paradigm shift in light of the challenges of sustainability. The objective of this article is to indicate the directions and criteria for that indicate the implementation of the paradigm shift, relative to the idea of sustainable transport. The auxiliary objective is to predict which countries in a given year will have the TRUST status, i.e., implement the paradigm shift, and which ones will not implement it (DISTRESS). The study used taxonometric techniques and built a model using General Discriminant Analysis. On these bases, the utility function was approximated, including the directions of implementation of the paradigm shift, depending on the scale of the environmental load of transport. Over the course of this research, an original and innovative econometric model was constructed, pointing to three variables which have the greatest impact on trust. Thanks to the cognitive value of the model, it is possible to identify individuals who deserve trust (i.e., it will implement the paradigm shift) with 93% probability. In the future, it is worth expanding the research by programing models for each country. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Trust Management: Key Factor of the Sustainable Organizations Embedded in Network)
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13 pages, 923 KiB  
Article
Trust Repair after Opportunistic Behaviors in the Chinese Construction Projects
by Xiaodan Zheng, Shuibo Zhang and Conghan Wang
Sustainability 2018, 10(7), 2339; https://doi.org/10.3390/su10072339 - 05 Jul 2018
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 3284
Abstract
Developing the trust of contractors is important for subcontractors since the trust can help subcontractors obtain a sound reputation and more chances of subcontracting. Nonetheless, the trust can be broken by opportunistic behaviors. Thus, subcontractors should utilize effective trust repair strategies to repair [...] Read more.
Developing the trust of contractors is important for subcontractors since the trust can help subcontractors obtain a sound reputation and more chances of subcontracting. Nonetheless, the trust can be broken by opportunistic behaviors. Thus, subcontractors should utilize effective trust repair strategies to repair trust after it is violated, so as to maintain the role of trust. As a result, this study compares denial, apology, and penance as strategies for trust repair, after subcontractors demonstrate opportunistic behaviors to violate contractors’ trust in construction projects. And this study also discusses the effect of the frequency of opportunistic behaviors on the three trust repair strategies in construction projects. Scenario-based experiments are utilized as a research methodology. According to the experimental results, when a subcontractor demonstrates a single opportunistic behavior to break a contractor’s trust, the most effective strategy to repair trust is penance. The least effective strategy is denial. However, when a subcontractor has repeated opportunistic behaviors to break contractor’s trust, denial, apology, or penance has only a very limited effectiveness in trust repair. In addition, the effectiveness of the three trust repair strategies does not have significant differences. This study benefits the development of a trust repair theory applicable to construction projects. Moreover, this study offers information to assist subcontractors in utilizing the most efficient strategy to repair the trust that has been violated by opportunistic behaviors in Chinese subcontractors. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Trust Management: Key Factor of the Sustainable Organizations Embedded in Network)
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21 pages, 438 KiB  
Article
How to Build Consumer Trust: Socially Responsible or Controversial Advertising
by Katarzyna Bachnik and Robert Nowacki
Sustainability 2018, 10(7), 2173; https://doi.org/10.3390/su10072173 - 26 Jun 2018
Cited by 17 | Viewed by 12144
Abstract
Developing trust in a product, brand or company is a significant part of building a successful consumer-company relationship. Two-way communication is one of the main factors weighing on the level of consumer trust. Advertising as a communication tool that elicits lots of attention [...] Read more.
Developing trust in a product, brand or company is a significant part of building a successful consumer-company relationship. Two-way communication is one of the main factors weighing on the level of consumer trust. Advertising as a communication tool that elicits lots of attention and emotions is a big part of the trust building process. Its character—whether socially responsible or controversial sets a tone for the communication and influences the receptiveness of the message. Companies undertake various efforts to make their messages more attractive to recipients and seek new ways to attract customers’ attention. Many companies experiment with unconventional and controversial advertising designs and tones, as it seems that there is some level of social acceptance for original, emotional and shocking marketing messages. This paper aims to analyze this level of the social acceptance in more detail. The study focuses on the following marketing dilemma: Should companies continue to use socially responsible advertising or should they adopt more controversial or even unethical strategies? The managers of 626 enterprises were interviewed to find out the answer. The research compares controversial advertising efforts with consumers’ evaluations of the messages to which they are exposed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Trust Management: Key Factor of the Sustainable Organizations Embedded in Network)
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18 pages, 817 KiB  
Article
The Explanatory Power of Reciprocal Behavior for the Inter-Organizational Exchange Context
by Martina Pieperhoff
Sustainability 2018, 10(6), 1850; https://doi.org/10.3390/su10061850 - 02 Jun 2018
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3409
Abstract
In order to create sustainable competitive advantages, organizations are embedded in dyadic exchange relationships, which depend on the coordination of the behavior of the actors involved. Often, coordinated behavior is explained by trust. Since trust develops in a process of reciprocal responses to [...] Read more.
In order to create sustainable competitive advantages, organizations are embedded in dyadic exchange relationships, which depend on the coordination of the behavior of the actors involved. Often, coordinated behavior is explained by trust. Since trust develops in a process of reciprocal responses to presumed trustworthy behavior, it is a reciprocity-based concept. While inter-organizational exchange relationships can appear in different stages (forming, establishing, broken), different reciprocity types (direct, indirect, negative) can be distinguished. The study links reciprocal behavior to different stages of inter-organizational exchange relationships in order to investigate reciprocity as a possible coordination mechanism of behavior and thus explore the basis of coordination of trust-based behavior. Qualitative Comparative Analysis as a set-theoretic approach is applied to analyze the empirical data consisting of 78 qualitative semi-structured interviews with managers of small-, medium- and large-sized companies. The results show that different reciprocity types become effective in different stages of an inter-organizational exchange relationship: For forming inter-organizational exchange relationships indirect reciprocal behavior, besides direct reciprocity, becomes effective while in establishing inter-organizational exchange relationships, direct reciprocal behavior is evident. Negative reciprocal behavior leads to a break up of relationships. Using these results, on the one hand, the concept of trust can be sharpened by deepening the understanding of the trust-building mechanisms and on the other hand, reciprocity can be seen as coordination mechanism in exchange relationships of different stages. In doing so, with this knowledge, relationships can be coordinated towards a long-term orientation in order to create sustainable advantages. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Trust Management: Key Factor of the Sustainable Organizations Embedded in Network)
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13 pages, 420 KiB  
Article
Managing Sustainable Use of Antibiotics—The Role of Trust
by Felicia Robertson, Sverker C. Jagers and Björn Rönnerstrand
Sustainability 2018, 10(1), 143; https://doi.org/10.3390/su10010143 - 09 Jan 2018
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 5213
Abstract
Human overuse of antibiotics is the main driver of antibiotic resistance. Thus, more knowledge about factors that promote sustainable antibiotic use is urgently needed. Based upon findings from the management of other sustainability and collective action dilemmas, we hypothesize that interpersonal trust is [...] Read more.
Human overuse of antibiotics is the main driver of antibiotic resistance. Thus, more knowledge about factors that promote sustainable antibiotic use is urgently needed. Based upon findings from the management of other sustainability and collective action dilemmas, we hypothesize that interpersonal trust is crucial for people’s propensity to cooperate for the common objective. The aim of this article is to further our understanding of people’s antibiotic consumption by investigating if individuals’ willingness to voluntarily abstain from antibiotic use is linked to interpersonal trust. To fulfill the aim, we implement two empirical investigations. In the first part, we use cross-section survey data to investigate the link between interpersonal trust and willingness to abstain from using antibiotics. The second part is based on a survey experiment in which we study the indirect effect of trust on willingness to abstain from using antibiotics by experimentally manipulating the proclaimed trustworthiness of other people to abstain from antibiotics. We find that interpersonal trust is linked to abstemiousness, also when controlling for potential confounders. The survey experiment demonstrates that trustworthiness stimulates individuals to abstain from using antibiotics. In conclusion, trust is an important asset for preserving effective antibiotics for future generations, as well as for reaching many of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Trust Management: Key Factor of the Sustainable Organizations Embedded in Network)
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2763 KiB  
Article
The Role Played by Trust and Its Effect on the Competiveness of Logistics Service Providers in Hungary
by Judit Oláh, Attila Bai, György Karmazin, Péter Balogh and József Popp
Sustainability 2017, 9(12), 2303; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9122303 - 12 Dec 2017
Cited by 40 | Viewed by 5387
Abstract
This research focuses on the role of trust and the impact of its level on the revenue, earnings before tax and the degree of flexibility of logistics service providers (LSPs). More specifically, the role of the executive manager is examined in relation to [...] Read more.
This research focuses on the role of trust and the impact of its level on the revenue, earnings before tax and the degree of flexibility of logistics service providers (LSPs). More specifically, the role of the executive manager is examined in relation to the impact of business relationships (trust levels) within and between organizations. In addition, the analysis covers the development of revenue, earnings before tax and degree of flexibility of logistics service providers in the context of the role of the head manager. The data were collected from 51 logistics service providers in Hungary. The results show that the level of trust established in the organization (with the employees, co-workers etc.) has a positive impact on the earnings before tax. Furthermore, this paper confirms that the trust executive managers establish around them is an important performance factor which even consumers perceive and that it has major significance in terms of degree of flexibility. This research further increases our understanding of the role and importance of trust as a strategic success factor for LSPs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Trust Management: Key Factor of the Sustainable Organizations Embedded in Network)
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581 KiB  
Article
(Dis)Trust, Control, and Project Success: From a Chinese Project Owner’s Perspective
by Weiping Jiang, Xianbo Zhao and Jian Zuo
Sustainability 2017, 9(11), 1936; https://doi.org/10.3390/su9111936 - 31 Oct 2017
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 4428
Abstract
This research aims to investigate the relationship between interorganizational trust and control and their effects on the project success from the perspective of project owners. Based on relevant literature and the actual situation in the Chinese construction industry, trust was classified as calculative [...] Read more.
This research aims to investigate the relationship between interorganizational trust and control and their effects on the project success from the perspective of project owners. Based on relevant literature and the actual situation in the Chinese construction industry, trust was classified as calculative trust and relational trust, and control was classified as outcome control, behavior control, and social control. Results show that project owners’ distrust of contractors is independent of project owners’ trust of contractors. Calculative trust has a positive influence on all kinds of control. Relational trust has negative impacts on outcome control and behavior control and positive impacts on social control. Of the three kinds of control, outcome and behavior control have negative impacts on social control. All constructs have positive impacts on project success. Project managers should be aware that distrust has a positive influence on project success through the mediation effects of control. Similarly, social control is the most influential type of control, influencing the controller to internalize norms to complete project tasks. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Trust Management: Key Factor of the Sustainable Organizations Embedded in Network)
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