Relational Trust and the Internet of Things

Abstract

The ‘Internet of Things’ (IoT) is an umbrella term covering a number of digital technologies which communicate with each other through geo-located devices such as smartphones, wearables or household appliances and are used to augment and inform everyday human activities. Such technologies-in-use have important consequences for B2C and B2B relational issues particularly related to trust management. Whilst trust management issues have previously been researched in both real and virtual contexts, the IoT presents new challenges with the convergence of psychophysiological, behavioural and attitudinal data collection in real time on a continual basis This has implications for data collection, dissemination, interpretation and use not only by its originators but also third parties. To date, there has been no research into how these traditional models may be transformed for use within an IoT context. Consequently, doubts have been raised about their appropriateness This working paper conceptualises and presents an on-going research framework for a trust management system within a networked relationship.