Effects of Culture, Social Presence, and Group Composition on Trust in Technology-Supported Decision-Making Groups

Abstract

This study examines trust in technology-supported groups from the perspectives of culture, social presence, and group composition. Our results demonstrate that, in culturally homogeneous groups, individualism has a negative impact on the level of interpersonal trust; however, in culturally heterogeneous groups consisting of Chinese and U.S. participants, individualism has a positive impact on interpersonal trust among members. There were also significant differences in the level of trust between homogeneous Chinese groups and heterogeneous groups consisting of Chinese and U.S. participants. In addition, the mediating role of communication quality was identified to explain the effect of social presence on trust. These findings have important implications for building trust and communication in global technology-supported, decision-making groups. (If you need the latest version of the paper, please send email request to [e-mail] and I will be happy to send it to you.)