Dimensionality of interpersonal trust and its relationship to innovativeness

Abstract

Companies striving for a competitive edge need to have insight into factors that best promote innovativeness. Our quantitative study explored the relationship between sub- dimensions of interpersonal trust and innovativeness on both lateral and vertical organisational levels. The convenience sampling technique (N=95) focused on the members of the maintenance and production teams of a division within a large petrochemical company. Data were gathered through previously validated, structured questionnaires.

Research on the specific combination of sub-dimensions and organisational levels has, to the best of our knowledge, neither been linked within the same study, nor within a South African context, before.

Results revealed practically significant positive correlations between several sub- dimensions of trust and innovativeness that can assist management in developing more focused strategies to develop a competitive edge.

Keywords: Interpersonal trust, vertical trust, lateral trust, cognitive-based trust, affective-based trust, organisational innovativeness

Disciplines: Organisational behaviour, Innovative studies, Business studies