The many faces of trust

The purpose of this article is to analyse how the concept of trust is approached and defined in various disciplines, in order to reach a generally acceptable definition that could be used in business research. An interdisciplinary approach is chosen because the concept seems to be used somewhat differently, depending on the context and the disciplinary eyeglass of the author in question. Also, much of the business research on trust has its roots in social psychology, economics or philosophy. It is hoped that an analysis of the various levels and dimensions of trust as well as an enumeration and differentiation of the related constructs will advance the study of this significant but complex phenomenon, and that a more accurate usage and a better understanding of the various dimensions and levels of the concept can be accomplished. Empirical documentation of the factors generating trust lies outside the scope of this article. Nor is a universal definition of trust constructed, since such a thing is deemed impossible, but a working definition for business contexts* is proposed.