Sailing across the North Sea: the development of trust in a short-term high intensity environment

Kotryna K. Fraser,Hugh Richards

doi:10.14712/23366052.2016.5

Abstract

Interpersonal trust among team members is an important phenomenon influencing working relationships and performance outcomes. However, there is a lack of empirical studies investigating the development of trust with respect to behavioural and environmental factors in a group of strangers. This exploratory, mixed method study investigated the development of two-dimensional interpersonal trust (affective and cognitive) and team cohesion in a newly formed temporary team of novice adults during a seven-day sail training programme. A descriptive longitudinal case study approach was adopted in the current study. Seven crew members completed the standardised psychometric questionnaires and were interviewed during the voyage. Results suggested that the development of trust occurs over three phases; 1) initial perception of shared identity, 2) early trust and 3) two dimensional trust comprising cognitive and affective dimensions. Distinct antecedents for the development of trust at each stage were identified and the importance of the competence-oriented subcomponent of cognitive trust within this challenging environmental context was highlighted. Exploratory interpretation suggests some overlap in the antecedents of interpersonal trust and team cohesion. However, further longitudinal research must examine this relationship and establish corroborative evidence for the model of trust. This research can impact on practitioners leading programmes to better understand how trust can develop over time, and offers a pragmatic approach to investigations in real world contexts.

Highlights

It is important to understand the development of interpersonal trust in small group dynamics because of its influence on developing effective working relationships (e.g. Costa, Roe, & Taillieu, 2001), team cohesion (e.g. Hansen, Morrow, & Batista, 2002), successful team performance in both sport and organizational teams (e.g. Dirsk, 2000), trust-based decision-making (e.g. Evans, & Krueger, 2014), and even conflict resolution (Mooney, Holahan, & Amason, 2007)
This study focused on gaining insight into the development of two-dimensional trust over time by adopting a mixed method approach
It sought to examine different antecedents of two-dimensional trust developed over time in an intense and often risky environment

Summary

Introduction

It is important to understand the development of interpersonal trust in small group dynamics because of its influence on developing effective working relationships (e.g. Costa, Roe, & Taillieu, 2001), team cohesion (e.g. Hansen, Morrow, & Batista, 2002), successful team performance in both sport and organizational teams (e.g. Dirsk, 2000), trust-based decision-making (e.g. Evans, & Krueger, 2014), and even conflict resolution (Mooney, Holahan, & Amason, 2007). It is worth mentioning that Mayer et al (1995) developed a similar model of trust based on early trust literature They argued that the perceived trustworthiness of a trustee will influence the development of trust where trustworthiness has three variables: ability, benevolence and integrity. The authors emphasized that, these three factors are interrelated, they can be separated in their one-dimensional model and will be highly affected by the environmental factors and the perceived risk of developing trust. This suggests the relevance of a two-dimensional model, such as that developed by McAllister (1995) where ability is an antecedent for cognitive-trust and benevolence is an antecedent of affective-trust. Bhattacharya et al (1998) concluded that trust “is a multidimensional statistical construct” (p. 468)

Results

Discussion

Conclusion