UNREQUITED TRUST: ASYMMETRY IN INTERORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS

This article argues that there are multiple reasons to consider both sides of the dyad in studying interorganizational relationships. The emerging evidence of trust asymmetry calls us to question whether trust across... [ view full abstract ]

This article argues that there are multiple reasons to consider both sides of the dyad in studying interorganizational relationships. The emerging evidence of trust asymmetry calls us to question whether trust across organizations is symmetric. Based upon this, we consider whether asymmetry in trust may influence outcomes of interest to organization and strategy scholars such as temporal processes and trust repair. We also suggest that forms of asymmetry may exist between firms on dimensions of trust as well as trust across levels. Lastly, we discuss important empirical considerations which may encourage scholars’ attention to asymmetric views of trust.