1. Trust dynamics and organizational integration: the micro-sociology of Alan Fox.
- Author
-
Roche, William K.
- Subjects
SOCIOLOGISTS ,SOCIAL integration ,MICROSOCIOLOGY ,ORGANIZATION ,SYSTEM integration ,TRUST - Abstract
Alan Fox is one of the most prolific and original British sociologists of industry and employment. Fox's largely derivative writings on macro-sociology have received considerable attention in the literature. In comparison his original micro-sociological theory of the role played by trust in organizational integration has been neglected. This paper presents a critical evaluation of Fox's microsociological theory of 'trust dynamics' in organizations. The paper identifies conceptual, theoretical and methodological weaknesses in Fox's complex argument and concludes that Fox's theory is invalid. The paper also suggests that trust in organizational life is probably more significant as an aspect of 'social integration' than, as Fox contends, as an aspect of' 'system integration'. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 1991
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