Assessing the Measurement Invariance of the Human–Computer Trust Scale

Abstract

Trust in technology is a topic of growing importance in Human–Computer Interaction due to the growing impact of systems on daily lives. However, limited attention has been paid to how one’s national culture shapes their propensity to trust. This study addresses an existing gap in trust in technology research by advancing towards a more accurate tool for quantitatively measuring propensity to trust across different contexts. We specifically evaluate the psychometric properties of the human–computer trust scale (HCTS) in Brazil, Singapore, Malaysia, Estonia, and Mongolia. To accomplish this, we used the Measurement Invariance of Composite Models (MICOM), a procedure that examines the equivalency of the instrument’s psychometric properties across different groups. Our results highlight the importance of rigorous validation processes when applying psychometric instruments in cross-cultural contexts, offering insights into the differences between the countries investigated and the procedure’s potential to investigate trust across different groups.