Reflections on the dimensions of trust and trustworthiness among online consumers

Trust is emerging as a potentially central aspect leading to IT acceptance. It is especially needed in the case of gaining and later retaining consumers of online vendors. This has been shown by previous research using single dimensional constructs. But trust can also be viewed as a multi-dimensional construct combining specific beliefs (sometimes labeled as trustworthiness) that either directly or through an overall assessment of trust influence relevant behavioral intentions. To show the need to examine trust in a multi-dimensional perspective, this study proposes a three-dimensional scale of trustworthiness dealing with integrity, benevolence, and ability in the unique case of online consumer trust, and…