Background: Positive supplier relationships result in trust and eventually sustainability. However, the opposite seems to be true in the South African automotive supply chain relationships that are characterised by conflict. Literature states that in the absence of trust, sustainability is compromised. The problem pertains to the erosion of trust because of conflict between suppliers in the South African automotive supply chains. Objectives: The main purpose of the research was to address the question: What are the antecedents of trust between buyer and seller within the South African automotive supply chains? The primary objective was to determine the value-adding antecedents of trust followed by presenting the antecedent with the strongest correlation towards trust. Method: The study was explanatory and descriptive by nature to determine relationships between constructs. The empirical research utilised a quantitative census, thus targeting all senior managers representing Tier 1 automotive component suppliers. A deductive approach through a structured close-ended questionnaire tested the managers’ perception on trust. The response rate was 81.4% with 144 participants. After factor analysis, a path analysis was compiled, depicting the antecedents of trust. Results: The study found that antecedents showing the strongest correlation with trust were the core offering, inclusive of product delivery and quality followed by personal interaction that forms part of the sourcing process. Conclusion: The research study makes a theoretical contribution by presenting a conceptual structure on trust by depicting its antecedents. Managerial contributions include recommendations on how to enhance trust through a relational governance strategy.

中文翻译：

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南非汽车供应链中买方和卖方之间信任的前提

背景：积极的供应商关系可以带来信任并最终实现可持续发展。但是，在以冲突为特征的南非汽车供应链关系中似乎相反。文献指出，在没有信任的情况下，可持续性会受到损害。该问题与南非汽车供应链中供应商之间的冲突导致信任受到侵蚀有关。目标：该研究的主要目的是解决以下问题：南非汽车供应链中买卖双方之间的信任先决条件是什么？主要目的是确定信任的增值先例，然后提出与信任最相关的先例。方法：该研究本质上是解释性和描述性的，可以确定构建体之间的关系。实证研究采用了定量普查，因此针对了代表一级汽车零部件供应商的所有高级管理人员。通过结构化的封闭式调查表的推论方法检验了经理对信任的看法。144位参与者的回应率为81.4％。经过因素分析后，进行了路径分析，描绘了信任的前提。结果：该研究发现，与信任关系最密切的前因是核心产品，包括产品交付和质量，其次是构成采购流程一部分的个人互动。结论：本研究通过描述信任的前因，提出了关于信任的概念结构，从而做出了理论上的贡献。