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  • Article
  • Academy of Management Journal

Trust and Collaboration in the Aftermath of Conflict: The Effects of Contract Structure

By: Deepak Malhotra and Fabrice Lumineau
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Abstract

Leveraging a longitudinal dataset concerning 102 inter-firm disputes, we evaluate the effects of contract structure on trust and on the likelihood of continued collaboration. We theoretically refine and empirically extend prior research by (a) distinguishing between control and coordination functions of contracts, (b) separating goodwill-based and competence-based trust, and (c) evaluating the effects of contract structure on relational outcomes in the context of disputes. We find that control provisions increase competence-based trust, but reduce goodwill-based trust, resulting in a net decrease in the likelihood of continued collaboration. Coordination provisions increase competence-based trust, leading to an increased likelihood of continued collaboration.

Keywords

Collaboration; Contract Structure; Contracts; Design; Trust; Conflict and Resolution

Citation

Malhotra, Deepak, and Fabrice Lumineau. "Trust and Collaboration in the Aftermath of Conflict: The Effects of Contract Structure." Academy of Management Journal 54, no. 5 (October 2011): 981–998.
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About The Author

Deepak Malhotra

Negotiation, Organizations & Markets
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