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The Development of Trust and Implications for Organizational Design: A Game- and Attribution-Theoretical Framework

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Abstract

Trust has been one of the central topics in organization research for the last years. Although the positive economic effects on the existence of trust relationships are relatively indisputable, the consequences for organizational design remain unclear. Against this background, the paper explores the conditions of trust development by using game and attribution theory in order to derive implications for organizational design. I argue that trust is based on emotional bonding and thus cannot be fully controlled by organizational measures. Rather, organizational structure can provide a context that fosters closer relationships.

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  1. Peter Eberl (Deputyship of the Chair for Organization and International Management)

    Present address: University of Paderborn, Warburger Str. 100, 33098, Paderborn, Germany

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  1. Institute for Management, Freie Universität Berlin, Garystraße 21, 14195, Berlin, Germany

    Peter Eberl (Deputyship of the Chair for Organization and International Management)

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Eberl, P. The Development of Trust and Implications for Organizational Design: A Game- and Attribution-Theoretical Framework. Schmalenbach Bus Rev 56, 258–273 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03396695

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