A Framework for Studying the Problem of Trust in Online Settings

The chapter contributes to the conceptual foundations of research on trust in online settings by introducing a framework of the preconditions and constitutive elements of trust. Moving beyond simplistic, narrow, and vague applications of the notion of trust, researchers are enabled by this framework to recognize when trust is relevant and to address a broader range of elements and processes involved in the social constitution of trust. By way of illustration and differentiation, the authors discuss trust issues in online marketplaces and online communities in greater detail. An important message from the chapter is that the problem of trust does not only occur in specific activities on a particular website but, more importantly, through the interconnectedness of the websites used and the development of complex online biographies. Accordingly, the authors advocate research methods that are not only are well-grounded conceptually but also geared praxeologically toward the actual experience and enactment of trust. DOI: 10.4018/978-1-61520-901-9.ch002 International Journal of Dependable and Trustworthy Information Systems, 1(3), 14-31, July-September 2010 15 Copyright © 2010, IGI Global. Copying or distributing in print or electronic forms without written permission of IGI Global is prohibited. elements involved in the constitution of trust and how they play out in online settings. We then discuss the implications of our framework, with particular emphasis on the methodological requirements and opportunities for empirical work in this area. In the conclusion, we highlight the value of a sound conceptual grounding of trust instead of invoking it too loosely in research on online relationships.