Toward developing web based support systems for enhanced trust among value web chains

This paper explores the use of the web to build trust among value web chains. Businesses tend to concentrate on the traditional tangible elements of the supply chain and ignore the crucial importance of using the web to build, develop and enhance trust in the e-marketplace. Through an extensive literature review, the major dimensions of trust are highlighted and a more precise definition and characterization of trust are developed. Second, relevant collaboration theories for developing trust are reviewed. Based upon the proposed definition and characterization of trust and collaboration theories, a conceptual framework for enhancing trust and shared understanding among stakeholders of the web supply chain is proposed. Finally, using the conceptual framework as a reference, modules of web-based support system for enhancing trust are highlighted.