Demographic influences on employee trust towards managers
International Journal of Organizational Analysis
ISSN: 1934-8835
Article publication date: 9 May 2016
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to explain demographic influences on employee trust towards managers.
Design/methodology/approach
Drawing upon a data set of over 5,000 responses from the Australian workforce, this paper examines demographic influences on employee trust in their managers.
Findings
The findings show that demographic influences have an effect on employee trust towards managers. Employees who are male, older, public sector, permanent, longer tenured and unionised were found to be less likely to trust managers.
Practical implications
Relevant to human resource practice, the findings offer potential for the development of trust by identifying employees who are less likely to trust managers. The expected outcome is that such employees can be selected for programmes and practices aimed at improving trust, such as increased managerial contact, consultation and support.
Originality/value
There has been a general decline of employee trust in managers over the past two decades. Research on the antecedents of trust has been reported to lag behind theory, with a paucity of research relating to demographic influences on employee trust towards managers. This study fills this research gap and offers potential for the targeted development of trust towards managers among employees.
Keywords
Citation
Chang, J., O’Neill, G. and Travaglione, A. (2016), "Demographic influences on employee trust towards managers", International Journal of Organizational Analysis, Vol. 24 No. 2, pp. 246-260. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJOA-06-2014-0774
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2016, Emerald Group Publishing Limited