Effect of Trust and Satisfaction on Interpersonal Relationships: Comparative Study of Capitalist and Socialist Countries

Abstract

AbstractThis research investigated the effect of project quality, client satisfaction, and trust on interpersonal relationships between contracting parties in public construction projects. Using a questionnaire, data were collected from randomly selected construction industry practitioners with experience in public projects in China, Vietnam, Australia, and Singapore. China and Vietnam represent large and small socialist-oriented developing countries, respectively, whereas Australia and Singapore represent large and small capitalist and developed countries, respectively. The results show that in all four countries, trust enhances interpersonal relationships, leading to relationship continuity. In Singapore and Australia (capitalist countries), satisfaction leads to greater trust, but in Vietnam and China (socialist-oriented developing countries), this is not the case. In Vietnam, there is no significant correlation between satisfaction and relationship continuity, but a correlation was observed in the oth...