Trust Asymmetry: A Systematic Review and Agenda for Future Research

Trust asymmetry referes to two related phenomena: the relative ease with which trust can be lost compared to how it is gained, and the imbalance in trust levels between interacting parties. However, existing research has seldom integrated these perspectives, leading to fragmented findings and the absence of a unified theoretical framework. To address this gap, we conducted a systematic review to clarify the antecedents, processses, and consequences of trust asymmetry. Using data retrieved from Web of Science and the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), we analyzed 41 articles published between 1993 and 2024 through bibliometric methods. The results indicate that: (a) the antecedents of trust asymmetry can be grouped into threee categories—individual (e.g., personality, emotions), external (e.g., power dynamics, task dependence), and contextual (e.g., national institutions, cultural settings, and information presentation); (b) the outcomes of trust asymmetry demonstrate both positive and negative effects; and (c) the development of trust asymmetry follows dynamic, rather than static, patterns. This review synthesizes existing research perspectives, refines the conceptual definition of trust asymmetry, summarizes measurement and manipulation methods, and proposes a theoretical framework linking antecedents to outcomes. Additionally, we highlight opportunities for future research, including the need for improved measurements tools, more rigorous research designs, and deeper examination of behavioral implications. By positioning trust asymmetry as an independent construct, this review provides a foundation for advancing empirical inquiry and theory development in this domain.