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Trust: The Connecting Link between Organizational Theory and Philosophical Ethics
Abstract
Numerous researchers have proposed that trust is essential for understanding interpersonal and group behavior, managerial effectiveness, economic exchange and social or political stability, yet according to a majority of these scholars, this concept has never been precisely defined. This article reviews definitions from various approaches within organizational theory, examines the consistencies and differences, and proposes that trust is based upon an underlying assumption of an implicit moral duty. This moral duty—an anomaly in much of organizational theory—has made a precise definition problematic. Trust also is examined from philosophical ethics, and a synthesis of the organizational and philosophical definitions that emphasizes an explicit sense of moral duty and is based upon accepted ethical principles of analysis is proposed. This new definition has the potential to combine research from the two fields of study in important areas of inquiry.
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Metadata
- Authors
- Hosmer, L. T.
- Affiliations
- University of Michigan (US)
- Corresponding author
- Hosmer, Larue Tone
- Venue
- The Academy of Management Review
- Publisher
- Academy of Management
- Published
- 1995-04
- Volume
- 20
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 379
- ISSN
- 0363-7425 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2129125364
- Cited by
- 2,323
- References
- 2
- Citations by year
- 2026: 49 · 2025: 44 · 2024: 47 · 2023: 78 · 2022: 89 · 2021: 91 · 2020: 85 · 2019: 93 · 2018: 95 · 2017: 98 · 2016: 86 · 2015: 108 · 2014: 125 · 2013: 113 · 2012: 112
- FWCI
- 124.39
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Academy of Management Review (publishedVersion)
- DigitalGeorgetown (Georgetown University Library) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Business, Management and Accounting › Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management › Ethics in Business and Education
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Social Capital and Networks
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Social Power and Status Dynamics
- Keywords
- trust, moral obligation, organizational theory, philosophy of ethics, ethical principles, interpersonal behavior, group behavior, management effectiveness, economic exchange, social stability
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