Trust is the expectation that the other party will behave in a predictable and mutually acceptable way. In inter-firm relationships, the presence and absence of trust can affect the level of cost in a relationship. The existence of trust is taught to lower the transaction cost in a relationship. Dr. Mari Sako identified taxonomy of
3 types of trust in commercial relationship, whichis very useful from the perspective of procurement.
Contractual trust: Trust based on the contract with TOP. This is potentially the weakest source of trust if there is nothing else to base the trust on, but it is the quickest to establish.
Competence trust: Trust based on TOP's professional qualifications or proven or certified technical capability or experience.
Goodwill trust: Trust based on knowing TOP has your interest at heart and will not behave opportunistically.
This is potentially the strongest type of trust, but it takes the longest time to build.
Otherwise, trust also has legal meaning. A trust is a legal document that can be created during a person's lifetime and survive the person's death. A trust can also be created by a will and formed afterdeath. Charitable trusts are trusts which benefit a particular charity or the public in general.