Trust and culture

Mutual trust forms the basis of private and business relationships: However it needs to be established and maintained in the first place. The ability to establish and maintain trust in interpersonal relationships is widely considered to give a crucial competitive edge to those working in an international business environment. Yet, we do know comparatively little about the actual trust-building and trust-maintaining processes in intercultural encounters - particularly when it comes to the Arab world. The findings on trust-building in German-Arab business relationships presented in this volume are based on qualitative research interviews funded by the „Landesstiftung Baden-Württemberg“ and conducted by the Orient Institute for Intercultural Studies (OIS) at Heilbronn University. The study investigates potential differences with respect to the semantics of trust and the process of trust-building a) between German expatriates and Arab executives, and b) among Arab executives from different countries themselves (Egypt, Quatar, Libya and the UAE). The volume at hand discusses factors that may affect trust-development in German-Arab business relationships on the micro, meso and macro level. Based on the interview partners´ statements it describes the process of trust building in German-Arab business relationships. Beyond that, a typology of trust prototypes and the cultural impact on trust-building are discussed. Moreover this volume presents all details of an intercultural trust building training with numerous practical guidelines and role plays for trainers to apply in intercultural trainings on trust. By integrating theory with practice the volume provides valuable insights and practical recommendations for intercultural trainers, researchers on trust, businesspeople involved in German-Arab cooperations, and students of the field alike.