Title: A methodical study of the role of trust at various development stages of virtual organisations

Authors: Muhammad Yasir; Abdul Majid; Phil Johnson

Addresses: Department of Management Sciences, Hazara University, Mansehra, Postal Code # 21300, Pakistan ' Department of Management Sciences, Hazara University, Mansehra, Postal Code # 21300, Pakistan ' University of Sheffield, Sheffield University Management School, Conduit Road, Sheffield S10 1FL, UK

Abstract: Virtual organisation (VO) is an outcome of technological advancements and the introduction of structural flexibilities in organisations. It is a temporary combination of internally independent parties to exploit the emerging market opportunities. The need to demonstrate extra efficiency in its limited life-span, geographical distribution of parties, lack of face-to-face communication, and the absence of complete information about partners working at a distance call for establishing trust-based relationship in virtual organisations. Almost all the researchers agree upon the importance of trust for virtual organisation but its nature and role at various development stages of these organisations is still unexplored. Therefore, in this research we have conducted a methodical investigation to propose the models explaining nature and role of trust at various development stages of virtual organisations. The result of this research would help the members to formulate effective trust-based relationship that could ultimately increase the efficiency and performance of virtual organisations.

Keywords: virtual organisations; development stages; swift trust; calculus-based trust; knowledge-based trust; trust-based relationships; virtual enterprises.

DOI: 10.1504/IJNVO.2014.067891

International Journal of Networking and Virtual Organisations, 2014 Vol.14 No.4, pp.377 - 387

Received: 23 Sep 2014
Accepted: 21 Dec 2014
Published online: 13 Mar 2015 *

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