Dimensionality of interpersonal trust and its relationship to innovativeness

Abstract

Companies striving for a competitive edge need to have insight into factors that best promote innovativeness. Our quantitative study explored the relationship between subdimensions of interpersonal trust and innovativeness on both lateral and vertical organisational levels. The convenience sampling technique (N=95) focused on the members of the maintenance and production teams of a division within a large petrochemical company. Data were gathered through previously validated, structured questionnaires. Research on the specific combination of sub-dimensions and organisational levels has, to the best of our knowledge, neither been linked within the same study, nor within a South African context, before. Results revealed practically significant positive correlations between several subdimensions of trust and innovativeness that can assist management in developing more focused strategies to develop a competitive edge.