A theoretical framework for trusted communication

Abstract

With the tendency of increasing ICT (information and communications technologies) applications, most existing literature examines trusted communication in decision making ignoring the effects of media inherent characteristics. However, according to the uncertainty reduction theory, media characteristics including media richness and media interactivity play a vital role in communication for decision making. To address the knowledge gap, this study proposes a novel framework for trusted communication (TCF) drawn on the media characteristics perspective and theory construction methodology. TCF theory, which is built on both a theory of behavioral trust and a theory of computational trust, provides a new lens for communication of decision making which currently plays a critical part in modern society.