When Does Trust in Coworkers Matter? Exploring the Role of Perceived Task Interdependence

Abstract

Organizations often promote trust in coworkers to enhance employee effectiveness, but such efforts are not always successful. Drawing on social exchange theory, we propose that perceived task interdependence moderates the relationship between trust in coworkers and positive individual outcomes. Specifically, trust in coworkers has a stronger positive effect on task performance, organizational citizenship behavior, and job satisfaction when perceived task interdependence is high. Using data from 297 employees and their supervisors, our findings support this hypothesis. These results underscore the significance of contextual factors, such as task interdependence, in maximizing the positive impact of trust in coworkers within organizations.