A social relationship conceptualization of trust and accountability in organizations

In this paper, we explore the integration of trust and accountability, and in so doing, we employ the accountability role theory model proposed by Frink and Klimoski [Toward a theory of accountability in organizations and human resources management. In Ferris, G. R. (Ed.) Research in personnel and human resources management, vol. 16 (pp. 1–51). Stamford, CT: JAI Press]. While these two constructs have been increasingly recognized as having a ubiquitous and important impact on behavior in organizations, some interdependencies between these constructs exist. Utilizing the accountability role theory framework, trust and accountability are explored in an effort to better articulate the process dynamics underlying their integration. We argue that a more informed understanding of the role of these variables and, thus, a more informed understanding of organizational behavior might be derived from developing a combined model of their influence in organizations. The relation of trust, accountability, and organizational influence behaviors of political skill and impression management are discussed to show how this combined role theory model can be effectively used. Implications of this conceptualization of trust and accountability and directions for future research are considered.