TRUST IN TECHNOLOGY: DEVELOPMENT OF A SET OF CONSTRUCTS AND MEASURES

Harrison McKnight, Michigan State University
Michelle Carter, Clemson University
Paul Clay, Washington State University

Abstract

Trust plays an important role in many Information Systems (IS)-enabled situations. Most IS research employs trust as a measure of interpersonal or interfirm relations, such as trust in a Web vendor or a virtual team member. Although trust in other people is important, this paper suggests that trust in the information technology (IT) itself may also play a role in shaping IT-related beliefs and behavior. To advance trust and technology research, this paper presents a set of trust in technology construct definitions and measures. These construct measures will be examined using tests of convergent, discriminant, and nomological validity. This study will contribute to the literature by offering a) a framework for distinguishing between trust in people and trust in technology, b) offering a theory based set of definitions necessary forminvestigating different forms of trust, and c) developing measures useful to research and practice for evaluating trust in technology.