The empirical research of the trust mechanism in partners of firm networks

Although the role of trust in partners of firm networks has been well established, less is known about its construction. This study is to identify and examine the influencing factors and their impact path to the trust construction of firm networks. Based on reviewing the literatures related, the conceptual framework of influencing factors of trust in partners is set up. 3 latent variables and 39 observed variables are conducted in structural equation model. The results of the study indicate that network strategic security significantly contributes to the trust in partners. Moreover, individual factors influence trust in partners indirectly through network strategic security, which is a mediating variable. Furthermore, organizational context of node-firms influences trust in partners indirectly through both network strategic security and individual factors, which are mediating variables.