Trust as a social resource: from theoretical conceptualization to the search for mechanisms of practical management

Abstract

The article is devoted to the analysis of trust as a social resource of society. It is established that awareness of the importance of trust for the society functioning is directed by the logic of scientific thought that proceeds from theoretical conceptualization of phenomenon of trust to the search for mechanisms of practical management of trust as a social resource.The main purpose of the article is to identify the mechanisms for managing the social resource of trust. In connection with this, the basic achievements and directions of the study of the phenomenon of trust are described. According to the latest theoretical researches it is substantiated the necessity of interpreting trust as a sociological category. The interdependence between trust and social capital is described. An understanding of trust in the sense of social resource is revealed. The main experience of empirical measurement of trust in Ukraine is presented.The author proposes the main mechanisms for management of social resource of trust on the example of Ukrainian society: 1) practical sociological measurement of trust; 2) reproduction of trust criteria; 3) informing; 4) tools of control; 5) creation and implementation of socially significant initiatives. Also author insist on the necessity to distinguish the constructive and manipulative forms of mechanisms for management of social resource of trust, as well as the features by which they are determined. The revealed mechanisms for management of social resource of trust are proposed to take into account in the future theoretical developments, empirical studies and practical social management.