The Dynamics of Trust in Contemporary Exchanges A Sharing Economy Perspective

Abstract

This dissertation consists of three inter-related essays spanning Micro, Meso and Macro perspectives around the dynamics of trust in contemporary exchanges. The thesis examines this interplay of trust across the notion of time using the empirical context of the ride-sharing sector in India. The core contention is that while trust is acknowledged as a core imperative in the sharing economy literature, it is not adequately researched. This thesis responds to the multiple calls in the literature to theorize on the gap that exists at the intersection of trust, share exchange logic and sharing economy business model. newlineThe first essay focuses on the micro perspective and delves into the meaning of trust in this novel business model context. The notion of share is new to economic exchanges; hitherto confined as an exchange logic between close-knit groups such as families and friends. Under normal circumstances, when sharing occurs between two known individuals, it is assumed the exchange partners trust each other for the exchange to ensue. However, in the sharing economy business model, exchange transpires between strangers exposing them to a higher level of vulnerabilities. This study delves into this simple yet classical enquiry of the meaning of the statement I trust (or distrust) the sharing economy . Words are known to acquire context-specific meanings. Meanings evolve within a specific community through a system of cultural signs that are subjective and shared. Adopting an inductive and iterative approach, we conducted depth interviews with providers and consumers of various ride-sharing platforms in India. Our enquiry reveals that trust is multilayered and complex - with distinctive meanings and dynamics as one shift along the access continuum. At the share end of the continuum, we find that trust exists as a three-level architecture with differing bases. These are (a) trust in the exchange partner (peer level), (b) trust in the platform and (c) trust in informal institutions. While the peer level trust ...