Trust in the programme: An exploration of trust dynamics within rural group-based support programmes

Publicly-funded programmes of business support are important vehicles for rural development , and over the last two decades, group-based models have become popular, in which dedicated advisors work with small firms groups, rather than one-to-one mentoring. A fundamental goal such is to foster enhanced inter-firm knowledge exchange learning, improved firm resilience innovation, through collective trust amongst participants,. Although many studies investigated evolution trust, including a context, date most research has focused either on macro-institutional level, or micro-personal relatively little exploration how meso-level may be encouraged groups participants programmes. This paper addresses gap by exploring within Northern Ireland. The study reveals that programme design features interpersonal style combined shape clients' their sponsoring institutions, as well influencing degrees goodwill camaraderie client themselves. • Personal institutional provide an explanation trust. role advisor strong determinant Trust relations reignited core revert earlier network forms.