Published Article / It is widely assumed that sustainability reporting is a mechanism that companies can use to demonstrate their trustworthiness with regard to development in a sustainable manner. This article uses the Mayer, Davis and Schoorman trust model as basis to discuss how sustainability reporting can enhance trustworthiness in a sustainable development context. The study also uses a survey-questionnaire, sent to South African sustainability reporters, to explore whether they are finding sustainability reporting useful for enhancing companies' trustworthiness among stakeholders in a sustainable development context. Respondents indicate, amongst other things, that sustainability reporting in South Africa has a role to play in enhancing trustworthiness, more so among contractual stakeholders than among community stakeholders. To entrench trust benefits in the long term will however require long term strategies. Such strategies should focus on increasing the engagement of community stakeholders, authentic use of the GRI and implementing effective control systems that prevent the misuse of sustainability reports, while not preventing the formation of real trust.

Research concerning trust relationships on the interpersonal level, particularly when studied in dyadic relationships from the follower’s point of view, is relatively scarce. Only a few researchers have attempted to link multiple dimensions of trust in the same study. The general aim of this thesis was to examine the nature, measurement and impact of trust within the work context. More specifically, the thesis tests the measurement invariance of a selected trust measurement instrument for male and female South African employees. Thereafter, the interplay between predictors of trust and trust itself is investigated. The thesis concludes with the testing of a structural model that identifies the nature of relationships between trust, psychological needs satisfaction, work engagement and intentions to quit. Throughout the study, the focus is on dyadic relationships where the direct leader is the foci of trust. A cross-sectional survey design was used to gather the data. Two convenience samples were taken of 539 and 252 respondents respectively. The Behavioural Trust Inventory, the Work-related Basic Need Satisfaction Scale, the Work Engagement Scale and the Turnover Intention Scale were administered. The results of study 1 confirmed configural, metric and partial scalar invariance of the Behavioural Trust Inventory across gender. One item that measures one’s willingness to share personal beliefs with a leader demonstrated a lack of scalar invariance for female managers. Results for this item should therefore be treated with caution. Latent factor mean analyses revealed no significant differences between male and female managers on the trust scales. Results for study 2 confirmed the distinctness of trust propensity, trustworthiness and trust as separate main constructs. Trust was strongly associated with trustworthiness beliefs. Trustworthiness beliefs fully mediated the relation between trust propensity and trust. The observed relations between trust propensity and trustworthiness suggest that individuals with a natural predisposition to trust others will be more inclined to perceive a specific trust referent as trustworthy. Results for study 3 provided support for a model in which disclosure-based trust in a focal leader predicts satisfaction of self-determination needs and engagement, but it did not have a statistically significant direct effect on intentions to leave. Mediation analyses revealed that satisfaction of the need for autonomy facilitates the influence of trust on work outcomes, so that the impact of disclosure on engagement becomes more powerful and that it can effectively serve as a pathway to reduce intentions to quit.

Research concerning trust relationships on the interpersonal level, particularly when studied in dyadic relationships from the follower’s point of view, is relatively scarce. Only a few researchers have attempted to link multiple dimensions of trust in the same study. The general aim of this thesis was to examine the nature, measurement and impact of trust within the work context. More specifically, the thesis tests the measurement invariance of a selected trust measurement instrument for male and female South African employees. Thereafter, the interplay between predictors of trust and trust itself is investigated. The thesis concludes with the testing of a structural model that identifies the nature of relationships between trust, psychological needs satisfaction, work engagement and intentions to quit. Throughout the study, the focus is on dyadic relationships where the direct leader is the foci of trust. A cross-sectional survey design was used to gather the data. Two convenience samples were taken of 539 and 252 respondents respectively. The Behavioural Trust Inventory, the Work-related Basic Need Satisfaction Scale, the Work Engagement Scale and the Turnover Intention Scale were administered. The results of study 1 confirmed configural, metric and partial scalar invariance of the Behavioural Trust Inventory across gender. One item that measures one’s willingness to share personal beliefs with a leader demonstrated a lack of scalar invariance for female managers. Results for this item should therefore be treated with caution. Latent factor mean analyses revealed no significant differences between male and female managers on the trust scales. Results for study 2 confirmed the distinctness of trust propensity, trustworthiness and trust as separate main constructs. Trust was strongly associated with trustworthiness beliefs. Trustworthiness beliefs fully mediated the relation between trust propensity and trust. The observed relations between trust propensity and trustworthiness suggest that individuals with a natural predisposition to trust others will be more inclined to perceive a specific trust referent as trustworthy. Results for study 3 provided support for a model in which disclosure-based trust in a focal leader predicts satisfaction of self-determination needs and engagement, but it did not have a statistically significant direct effect on intentions to leave. Mediation analyses revealed that satisfaction of the need for autonomy facilitates the influence of trust on work outcomes, so that the impact of disclosure on engagement becomes more powerful and that it can effectively serve as a pathway to reduce intentions to quit.

This study explored attributes of a Facebook brand page (FBP). Seven variables were derived from the framework and applied to FBPs. The goals of this research were to discover which attributes contribute to a successful FBP, determine which attributes increase purchase intentions, and help marketers determine where to focus their efforts. A total of 421 surveys were gathered from men and women ages 18 and older. The methods of this research included factor analysis and multiple regression analysis. Results yielded two loading factors for the trustworthiness variable and supported hypotheses of trustworthiness increasing purchase intentions. It was also discovered that participation positively influences purchase intentions. It is advised that information content be monitored to avoid information overload.

Individuals around the globe engage in sustainable consumption in their everyday life, e.g., when it comes to individual transportation. Although tourism behavior contributes to global carbon emissions to a considerable extent, consumers' awareness of sustainability in the tourism industry is still underresearched. Placing eco-labels next to tourist offers on websites might direct consumer's perception towards more sustainable offers. By employing eye-tracking techniques and surveys, this research aimed at linking information about sustainable tourist offers, perception of eco-labels and subsequent perception and preferences of tourism services. In Study 1, eight existing hotel offers with sustainability certification (four different labels) were selected and their websites presented to 48 participants (four websites each), whose eye movements were tracked. After looking at each website, they rated the overall appearance of the website. Based on the results, in the second study, participants' (n = 642) awareness of labels, their values and attitudes regarding sustainable behavior were found to influence their preference for certified tour operators. In addition, individuals' ideas of their perfect holidays were captured to allow a better understanding of their motivation. This research proposes implementing appropriate sustainable labeling in the tourism industry to increase awareness about sustainability among travelers and subsequently increase sustainable travel behavior.

Nas últimas décadas, com o surgimento de grandes organizações de tecnologia da informação (TI) e a comoditização de produtos e serviços de TI, o mercado em geral percebeu a oportunidade de desenvolver novas soluções para seus clientes. Neste contexto, visando a criação de um ambiente de trabalho exploratório e orientado à inovação, a adoção de práticas mais modernas de gestão de TI tem chamado a atenção de executivos e ganhado espaço nas organizações. A TI bimodal caracteriza-se pelo uso de dois modelos de operação com propósitos distintos: 1) confiabilidade e; 2) agilidade. O presente estudo apresenta práticas de gestão de TI existentes no mercado orientados a estes diferentes modelos de operação. O objetivo do estudo é propor um framework de práticas de gestão de TI para TI Bimodal. São abordados os conceitos de Governança de TI, TI Bimodal, COBIT (Control Objectives for Information and Related Technologies), ITIL (Information Technology Infrastructure Library), CMMI (Capability Maturity Model Integration), PMBOK (Project Management Body of Knowledge), Lean IT, DevOps, SCRUM e Project Model Canvas, servindo de base estrutural para o melhor entendimento do estudo O método qualitativo utilizado nesta pesquisa foi o estudo de caso, onde foram aplicadas 10 entrevistas com executivos de TI, pesquisa documental e observação participante em uma instituição financeira Cooperativa situada no Rio Grande do Sul. Como resultado foi proposto um framework de práticas de gestão para TI bimodal contendo 11 elementos e 30 práticas relacionadas. O framework cobre um conjunto de práticas abrangentes o suficiente para auxiliar diferentes organizações que tenham interesse em atuar com mais de um modo de operação. / In the last decades, with the emergence of large organizations of information technology (IT) and the commoditization of IT products and services, the Market in general has perceived the opportunity to develop new solutions for their clients. In this context, aiming at the creation of an exploratory work environment and directed toward innovation, the adoption of more modern practices of IT management have caught the attention of executives and gained space in the organizations. The bimodal IT is characterized by two models of operation in place with distinct purposes: 1) Reliability and; 2) Agility. This study presents existing IT management practices in the market directed at different operation models of IT. The goal of the study is to propose a framework of IT management practices for Bimodal IT. The concepts of IT Governance, Bimodal IT, COBIT (Control Objectives for Information and Related Technologies), ITIL (Information Technology Infrastructure Library), CMMI (Capability Maturity Model Integration), PMBOK (Project Management Body of Knowledge), Lean IT, DevOps, SCRUM and Project Model Canvas, serve as the structural base for better comprehension of the study The qualitative method used for this research was the case study where 10 interviews were applied with IT executives, documental research and participant observation was carried out in a Cooperative financial institution situated in Rio Grande do Sul. As a result, a bimodal IT management practice framework containing 12 elements and 30 related practices was proposed. The framework covers a set of practices broad enough to help different organizations that have an interest in working with more than one mode of operation.

abstract: The present research expands on prior research that demonstrated a prototypical facial expression in response to cute, baby-like Kindchenschema targets. This expression, referred to as the tenderness expression, is recognizable to onlookers as a response to such stimuli. Across two studies, the current research examined if there were differences in perceptions of trustworthiness (Studies 1 and 2) and willingness to trust (Study 2) toward individuals displaying the tenderness expression as compared to a Duchenne smile or a neutral expression. Results indicate the tenderness expression is associated with lower ratings of trustworthiness relative to a smile, but no differences among the expressions on willingness to trust. Exploratory analyses demonstrate a replicated pattern of differences on the Big Five Personality Inventory among these three expressions. While these findings were not consistent with a priori hypotheses, this research provides further insight into the social implications associated with this tenderness expression. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Psychology 2019

To help online trip planners, some online travel agencies and travel service providers have adopted travel recommender systems. Although these systems are expected to support travelers in complex decision-making processes, they are not used efficiently by travelers due to a lack of confidence in the recommendations they provide. It is important to examine factors that can influence the likelihood of recommendations to be accepted and integrated into decision-making processes. The persuasion literature suggests that people are more likely to accept recommendations from credible and likable sources. It has also been found that technologies can be more credible and likable when they give a variety of social cues that elicit social responses from their human users. Thus, it is argued that enhancing the social aspects of travel recommender systems is important to create more persuasive systems. One approach to enhancing the social presence of recommender systems is to use a virtual agent. Current travel recommender systems use various types of virtual agents. However, it is still not clear how those virtual agents are perceived by travel recommender system users and influence users' system evaluations and interactions with these systems. Consequently, this dissertation aimed to investigate the influence of virtual agents presented in travel recommender systems on system users' perceptions. Specifically, the virtual agents' anthropomorphism as well as similarity and authority cues on system users' perceptions of system credibility and liking were examined. For this purpose, two experiments were conducted. For Study 1, the impacts of anthropomorphism of the virtual agents on users' perceptions of virtual agents as well as recommender systems in terms of credibility and attractiveness/liking were examined. Anthropomorphism was manipulated with visual human appearance and voice output. Study 2 tested the influence of virtual agents? similarity and authority on travel recommender system users' perceptions of virtual agents and system credibility and attractiveness/liking. Similarity and authority of the virtual agent were tested by manipulating nonverbal cues (age and outfit) of the agent. The results showed that the characteristics of virtual agents have some influences on system users' perceptions of virtual agents as well as recommender systems. Specifically, a human-like appearance of the virtual agent is found to positively influence users' perceived attractiveness of the virtual agent while voice outputs were found to enhance users' liking of the system (Study 1). Findings also indicate that RS users' perceptions of virtual agent expertise are increased when virtual agents wear a uniform rather than a casual outfit (Study 2). In addition, system users' perceptions of the virtual agent's credibility are found to have a significant influence on users' perceived credibility and liking of the overall system, which implies an important role of virtual agents in recommender system evaluations. Further, perceived credibility and liking of recommender systems lead to favorable evaluations of the recommendations, which, in turn, increase users' intentions to travel to the recommended destination. Past travel recommender system studies have largely neglected the social role of recommender systems as advice givers. Also, it is not clear whether the specific characteristics of virtual agents presented as a part of the system interface influence system users' perceptions. This dissertation sought to close this knowledge gap. By applying classic interpersonal communication theories to human and system relationships, this dissertation expands the scope of traditional theories used in the context of studying recommender systems. Further, the results of the research presented in this dissertation provide insights for tourism marketing as well as practical implications for travel recommender system design.

<p>Trust is a major challenge to the consumer acceptance of e-commerce: the lack of trust is an important reason for the hesitant growth in e-commerce and for the reluctance of consumers to engage in online buying transaction. Communicating trustworthiness is therefore a major challenge companies encounter. This study concentrates on the various means communicating trustworthiness proposed by researchers. An overview of means is presented according to a buying transaction process life cycle spanning the four phases information, agreement, handling, and postpurchase. Besides enabling the categorization of the various means to develop consumer trust, the four phases in addition illuminate the dynamic aspect of trust development and allow the introduction of a simple measure to determine success in the domain of e-commerce by evaluating the repetitiveness of consumer transacting with the e-vendor. A web site analysis was conducted to evaluate the trust means usage in practice. The findings of the web site analysis indicate three general trends. First, the analyzed web sites hint at an absent exploitation of second and third degree information. Second, the results of the study obtained from the indicators regarding the later phases portray a lack of means usage during the handling and postpurchase phase. Third, the web site analysis points out multiple possibilities for e-vendors to adjust, improve, and implement additional trust means. In general, the discovered trends are an indication for e-vendors to adopt their strategies to employ trust means towards the relevant consumer perspective of the company.</p>

Cultural institutions that hold unique and valuable physical items only for restricted access untilnow are experiencing a change that demands them to take up the role of information providers aswell. International Dunhuang Project is a digitization project that has been taken as an example toinvestigate this phenomenon and more particularly issues of trustworthiness and how it can beestablished in the digital environment. Two concepts have been found to form the basis of itsassessment in the online world, authenticity and transparency. Authenticity is a concept borrowedfrom the existing practice of cultural institutions like museums and archives but transparency is anew demand that has come along with internet and the WWW. Through the examination ofcomponents of IDP's website like online documents, metadata and images along with interviewswith the producers of the project, an attempt has been made to understand how trustworthiness isperceived by the producers of the project and how they have implemented it on the material of theirwebsite. / Kulturinstitutioner som hittills bara gett endast begränsadtillgång till sina samlingar av unika och värdefulla fysiskaexemplar upplever nu en förändring som kräver att de ävenintar rollen som informationsleverantörer.Digitaliseringsprojektet International Dunhuang Projectanvänds som exempel i en undersökning om detta fenomen,i synnerhet kring frågor om trovärdighet och hur det kanfastställas i den digitala miljön. Två begrepp har visat sigligga till grund för bedömning av trovärdighet ionlinevärlden: autenticitet och genomsynlighet.Autenticitet är ett begrepp som lånats från befintliga praxishos kulturinstitutioner som museer och arkiv, mengenomsynlighet är ett nytt krav som tillkommit samtidigtsom internet och WWW. Genom undersökning av de olikaelement på IDP:s webbplats, t ex. online-dokument,metadata och bilder, tillsammans med intervjuer medprojektskaparna, har ett försök gjorts att förstå hurtrovärdighet uppfattas av projektskaparna och hur det harimplementerats på materialet på deras webbplats. / <p>Acknowledgments:I would like to thank the staff of the International Dunhuang Project, Ms. Susan Whitfield, Ms. VicSwift, Ms. Emma Goodliffe and Mr. Sam van Schaik for all the support they have offered meduring my stay at the British Library. This study would not have been completed without their helpand their insights. Also, I would like to thank my supervisor Mr. Mats Dahlstrom and Ms. ElenaMaceviciute, for their patience and the knowledge and tools they have provided me for therealization of this study. Moreover, Ms. Anna Brynolf who translated the abstract into Swedish.Lastly, Mr. Osama Mansour and Ms. Nina Hult for their comments which helped me to improve theshortcomings of my text.</p>