The Ethical Limits of Trust in Business Relations
本文分析了信任关系的本质及其内外道德约束，指出信任的目的需用传统伦理理论评判，而过程约束取决于信任基础，并建议谨慎将信任作为经济组织的伦理基础。
This article defines and analyzes the nature of a trust relation. It specifically examines the internal and external morality of trust relations and the ethical limits of those relations. It examines both the ends pursued by trust relations as well as the means by which trust is developed. It shows that the ends need to be evaluated by traditional ethical theories, while the ethical constraints of the trust process depend upon the specific bases of trust. In addition, the consequences of the trust process differ in their impact on the trustor and third parties. Despite the popularity of trust in the literature, this study recommends caution in the use of trust as an ethical basis for economic organization. The optimal form of trust, although still subject to limitations, is fairness-based trust.