The nature and structure of workers' trust in management

Abstract

This paper presents a theoretical and empirical analysis of the nature of trust at work. Use is made of the facet approach to generate a definitional framework of trust, and this is proposed as a theoretical basis for the analysis of the structural characteristics of trust. Hypotheses regarding the relations between the definitional framework and empirical observations were tested by applying Smallest Space Analysis to analyse data collected from a sample of 398 colliery workmen, using questionnaires developed on the basis of the faceted definition. The results demonstrate strong support for the definitional framework suggested for the concept of trust and its construct validity. The results also suggest a possible distinction workers make between trust and mistrust and, between the specifics of activities to do with the job itself versus managers in general. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.