A Multidisciplinary Analysis of the Nature, Meaning, and Measurement of Trust

Abstract

This multidisciplinary review draws on both theoretical and empirical literature on trust spanning the past four decades and brings that literature to bear on relationships of trust in schools. Studies involving a wide variety of methodologies have helped to clarify the meaning of trust in organizational settings. First, the authors examine the importance of trust for schools. Then they explore the nature and meaning of trust and the dynamics of trust (initiating, sustaining, breaking, and repairing trust). Finally, they synthesize the research on trust as it relates to organizational processes such as communication, collaboration, climate, organizational citizenship, collective efficacy, achievement, and effectiveness.