The function of ability, benevolence, and integrity-based trust in innovation networks

Abstract

This study contributes to the understanding of how trust based on perceived ability, benevolence, and integrity functions in networks. It adopts a mixed-method approach with quantitative and qualitative data from five Norwegian innovation networks. The study demonstrates how trust based on perceived benevolence, ability, and integrity influences different aspects of network interaction and network outcomes against the background of the network members' perceptions of risk. Moreover, it finds that these dimensions of trust function differently at the inter-organisational and at the network level. The former level here concerns trust between the organisations in the network, while the latter concerns trust in the network more generally. Benevolence-based trust is identified as particularly salient at both levels for promoting open and honest communication as well as knowledge sharing, enabling both more successful collaboration in general, and more innovation specifically.

Developing a Conceptual Model for the Intention to Adopt CC Saas

“…The hypotheses for the mediating variable are formed with regards to the ability, integrity and benevolence for trust dimensions. Moreover, trust can be referred to as the level of confidence that CC-SaaS providers are reliable and SaaS-based functions as expected [49]. The most important security issues in CC are trust, integrity, availability, authentication and authorisation, and confidentiality [50].…”

“…Ability (Abi) refers to the belief that CC-SaaS providers have the knowledge and technical skill that improve the organisation's performance [49]. It is a known fact that individuals and organisations vary in abilities; while an individual or an organisation may be able to perform some excellently in some tasks or domain, same individual or organisation could have lower ability in relation others tasks and fields [49].…”

“…Ability (Abi) refers to the belief that CC-SaaS providers have the knowledge and technical skill that improve the organisation's performance [49]. It is a known fact that individuals and organisations vary in abilities; while an individual or an organisation may be able to perform some excellently in some tasks or domain, same individual or organisation could have lower ability in relation others tasks and fields [49]. In relations to CC adoption intention, the ability is described as a set of characteristics, technical skills and competencies that aid an organisation in exerting influence over some specific domain [49].…”

“…It is a known fact that individuals and organisations vary in abilities; while an individual or an organisation may be able to perform some excellently in some tasks or domain, same individual or organisation could have lower ability in relation others tasks and fields [49]. In relations to CC adoption intention, the ability is described as a set of characteristics, technical skills and competencies that aid an organisation in exerting influence over some specific domain [49]. Consequently, a certain level of trust is needed for encouraging the organisation to execute an action towards the adoption of CC.…”

“…Benevolence (Ben) refers to the belief that CC-SaaS providers' motives, intentions and concerned about the interests of an organisation [49], [52]. Benevolence has been counted as one of the key five pillars applied in the definition of trust [55].…”