The evolution of interorganizational trust in cross‐sector collaborations: Two comparative cases from China

• Author: Yuanyuan Xu,Wen Tu
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1002/nml.21404
• Published date: 01 June 2020
• Date: 01 June 2020

RESEARCH NOTE

The evolution of interorganizational trust

in cross-sector collaborations: Two comparative

cases from China

Wen Tu | Yuanyuan Xu

School of Public Administration, Central

South University, Changsha, China

Correspondence

Yuanyuan Xu, School of Public

Administration, Central South

University, 932 Lushan South Road,

Changsha, Hunan, China.

Email: xyuanj@csu.edu.cn

Funding information

Fundamental Research Funds for the

Central Universities of Central South

University; Key Project of Social Science

Foundation of Hunan Province of China,

Grant/Award Number: 16ZDB02

Abstract

This study views interorganizational trust as a dynamic

process and examines it in two cross-sector collaborations

in community development. Based on in-depth case study,

we conceptualize the evolution of interorganizational trust

into four distinct stages: initial propensity, boundary span-

ning, diffusion and normalization. The findings show that

sustainable cross-sector collaboration requires the full evo-

lution of interorganizational trust. The findings also high-

light the importance of internal motivation and the

participation of third parties. In addition, while formal

rules contribute to rational trust, informal rules arising

from interactive experiences can complement formal rules

and promote emotional trust.

KEYWORDS

interorganizational trust, cross-sector collaboration

1|INTRODUCTION

Cross-sector collaborations are increasingly active in delivering public services and solving

pressing problems (Bryson, Crosby, & Stone, 2015; Torfing, 2018). As organizations within

different domains come together to address common issues, they anticipate both improved

effectiveness and progressed democracy (Sorensen & Torfing, 2009). However, practical failures

show that it is never easy to build such collaboration and even more difficult to maintain it

(Babiak, 2009). Among all the factors influencing collaboration, trust is perhaps the most fre-

quently cited factor (Ansell & Gash, 2008; Huxham, 2003; Thomson & Perry, 2006). It is argued

that a certain amount of trust is required to initiate collaboration (Schoorman, Mayer, & Davis,

2007). As to maintaining collaboration, trust plays an even more important role by reducing

Received: 25 April 2019 Revised: 17 January 2020 Accepted: 24 January 2020

DOI: 10.1002/nml.21404

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