Understanding Perceptions of Trust in Virtual Workspaces Across IT Departments

Abstract

Objectives

The principal objective of this research is to determine the perceptions of trust in IT employees working remotely and to discover the most prominent features of trust and trust-building in online settings.

Summary

The research explores dimensions of trust with employees in management and subordinates positions across IT departments. The qualitative research identifies definitions of trust, characteristics of trust in online workspaces and features of trust-building by examining the relationships of participants with coworkers and management. Consequently, common disruptors and outcomes of trust are derived from the interview data.

Conclusions

Identification-based trust has the most significant results in corporations, identifying trust as commitment, accountability and collaboration. Trust was viewed as a distinct concept, requiring flexibility, reputation, mutual effort and openness to form the different bases of trust-building. It was recognized that the creation of identification-based trust generates confidence, inclusiveness and efficiency across employees and managers in a corporation.