Trust towards conventional businesses and E-businesses by socioeconomic status in China

Abstract

© koninklijke brill nv, leiden, 2018. This study explores how socioeconomic resources are related to trust in conventional businesses and e-businesses in China. Based on data collected in 2013 from three major cities, the authors found that people who perceived themselves as upper-class were more likely to trust both conventional businesses and e-businesses. Further analysis also suggested that people with self-perceived higher status were more likely to trust conventional businesses than e-businesses. The authors suggest that people with more socioeconomic resources are likely to be able to exchange their socioeconomic resources for other resources. They can command more resources to influence and extend their social network for their own benefit. In addition, those with more socioeconomic resources usually know how to utilize institutional arrangements to their benefit.