On-line trust: concepts, evolving themes, a model

  • Authors:

  • Cynthia L. Corritore;Beverly Kracher;Susan Wiedenbeck

  • Affiliations:

  • College of Business Administration, Creighton University, Omaha, NE;College of Business Administration, Creighton University, Omaha, NE;College of Information Science and Technology, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA

  • Venue:
  • International Journal of Human-Computer Studies - Special issue: Trust and technology
  • Year:
  • 2003

Quantified Score

Hi-index 0.00

Visualization

Abstract

Trust is emerging as a key element of success in the on-line environment. Although considerable research on trust in the offline world has been performed, to date empirical study of on-line trust has been limited. This paper examines on-line trust, specifically trust between people and informational or transactional websites. It begins by analysing the definitions of trust in previous offline and on-line research. The relevant dimensions of trust for an on-line context are identified, and a definition of trust between people and informational or transactional websites is presented. We then turn to an examination of the causes of on-line trust. Relevant findings in the human-computer interaction literature are identified. A model of on-line trust between users and websites is presented. The model identifies three perceptual factors that impact on-line trust: perception of credibility, ease of use and risk. The model is discussed in detail and suggestions for future applications of the model are presented.