MODULE 2b

Trust is the fuel of cooperation arrangements, and can only be obtained from actors own experiences of cooperation and from the assumption about the prediction of the other actor's behavior.

As a resource, trust helps cooperation systems to be more efficient and reduce their transaction costs, reduce control and coordination efforts, save negotiation time, facilitate the open exchange of information and the acquisition of knowledge, replaces the fixation written contracts and the need to formalize the rules. However, without a minimum of trust, cooperation does not work.

Lack of trust has several reasons:

• Lack of personal openness.
• Insecurity about the motives and intentions of the other.
• Lack of opportunities for direct and frequent contacts.
• Lack of information and mutual knowledge.
• Absence of minimum agreed agreements.
• Impunity for non-compliance with agreements.
• Arbitrariness and poor transparency of decisions.

Types of trust in cooperative relationships:

Although trust can be based on formal aspects, it must be built fostering communication and closeness between the actors through social relations, it can arise unintentionally and then encourage and strengthen common action.

A permanent and reliable relationship between the actors of the cooperation system is a stabilizing factor in the relations of the cooperation system.

In this sense, values that support the creation, stabilization and reproduction of trust relationships:

• Openness: make available information and important knowledge for the members of the cooperation system.
• Honesty: false information is not given.
• Tolerance: everyone can contribute their opinions even if they are different from mine.
• Reciprocity: as justice in exchanges and distribution of benefits.