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Fragile and Resilient Trust and Their Roles in Economic Exchange

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Peter S. Ring at Loyola Marymount University
Peter S. Ring
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Abstract

Interfirm collaboration and trust are topics currently exciting research interest. The literature treats trust as a unitary concept, providing little understanding of those processes that create trust, or are employed by parties relying on trust. I suggest that two distinct forms of trust can be observed in economic exchanges: fragile trust and resilient trust. I define these kinds of trust, speculate on processes by which economic actors learn about them, and explore contexts in which they are likely to be relied upon by economic actors. I conclude with a discussion of implications for practice and scholarship.
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Fragile and resilient trust and their roles in economic exchange
Ring, Peter Smith
Business and Society; Jun 1996; 35, 2; ABI/INFORM Global
pg. 148
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