<p> This study explored relationships between national culture and generalized disposition to trust. Cultural differences were assessed using Hofstede’s (2001) dimensions of national culture: power distance (PDI), individualism (IDV), masculinity (MAS) and uncertainty avoidance (UAI). Trust was operationalized as four disaggregated subconstructs in McKnight, et al.,’s (2002) foundations of trust model: generalized benevolence belief (GBB), generalized integrity belief (GIB), generalized competence belief (GCB) and trusting stance. The research question considered whether generalized disposition to trust is a culture bound construct or a function of individual difference. Surveys were administered to graduate business students in Poland, United States, and Uruguay between May and September 2012. A levels-of-analysis approach utilized qualitative analysis to explore relationships across country borders; quantitative, individual-level analysis to explore relationships within specific countries. Significant differences were found among the three countries on all four dimensions of culture and three trust subconstructs. Comparisons of national culture to disaggregated dimensions of trust revealed a complex pattern of relationships: PDI and MAS showed negative relationships with GIB and positive relationships with GCB. IDV had a negative relationship with GCB. UAI revealed negative relationships with both GBB and GIB. PDI displayed a negative relationship with GBB among Uruguayan students and a positive relationship with TS among Polish students. UAI showed a negative relationship with three dimensions of trust (GBB, GIB and GCB) among Uruguayan students. Findings suggest elements of trust may be differentially bound to national culture and individual difference, with relationships dependent upon the cultural dimension, trust subconstructs and method of analysis.</p>
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:PROQUEST/oai:pqdtoai.proquest.com:3592424 |
| Date | 11 October 2013 |
| Creators | Kuvshinikov, Joseph Timothy |
| Publisher | Gannon University |
| Source Sets | ProQuest.com |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | thesis |
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