Perspectives of online trust and similar constructs: a conceptual clarification
In order to make progress in a scientific field, scholars need to find a consistent terminology to be able to adequately test their hypotheses, to communicate their results among each other and to build on each others findings. In this paper we address current conceptual problems in online trust research. We provide a conceptual investigation of online trust as an important contribution to the development of research on trust in electronic commerce. A framework is proposed for conceptualizing online trust that facilitates an integration of different trust definitions. Furthermore the relationships between trust and similar but distinct concepts such as confidence, hope, faith, reliance, familiarity or distrust, are analyzed. Finally several implications for the design of empirical studies on online trust are presented and some promising avenues for future research are made out.
ICEC '06