The Information Systems Trust–Measurement Model

Abstract

The Information Systems Trust–Measurement Model (Müller & Hertel, 2025) is a robust psychological instrument designed to investigate the effects of trusting Information Systems (IS) during routine work activities. Specifically, it explores how this trust influences critical psychological and organizational outcomes, including cognitive resources, employee performance, and overall well-being.

The instrument consists of 37 adapted items, derived from foundational prior research (e.g., Cacioppo et al., 1996; de Rijk et al., 1998). It was initially developed and validated using a sample of employed IS users located in Germany. The authors reported comprehensive statistical results regarding the model’s Factor Analysis, reliability, and validity, confirming its suitability for measuring complex human-computer interaction constructs in the workplace.

Keywords

Measurement Model, Performance, Strain, Well-Being, Trust, Need for Cognition, Trust Disposition, Accountability, Distraction, Need for Control, Conscientiousness, Technology Competence, Human Computer Interaction, Information Systems, Employee Well Being, Cognitive Resources.

Authors

Müller, Lea S., Hertel, Guido

Purpose

The primary purpose of the measurement model is to provide a robust method for assessing specific psychological constructs related to technology use in the workplace. It focuses particularly on measuring event-specific trust in information systems, which is crucial for understanding dynamic daily interactions between users and technology.

Furthermore, the model aims to systematically evaluate related work outcomes (such as performance and strain) and the context conditions that might moderate the relationship between trust in IS and subsequent employee well-being and productivity. This comprehensive approach allows researchers to explore the transactional effects of technology reliance.

Construct

The Information Systems Trust–Measurement Model addresses two main areas: Information Systems Trust and various Worker Outcomes. The scale covers a broad spectrum of latent variables necessary for a holistic understanding of technology-mediated work environments.

The underlying subscales used to capture these constructs include personality traits, contextual factors, and outcome variables. These 12 subscales measure:

• Trust Disposition
• Technology Competence
• Need for Cognition
• Conscientiousness
• Need for Control
• Trust (event-specific)
• Accountability
• Distraction
• Forgetting
• Well-being
• Strain
• Performance

Validity

The validity of the instrument was rigorously assessed through both Convergent Validity and Discriminant Validity methods, confirming the instrument’s ability to measure the intended constructs accurately.

For Convergent Validity, the Average Variance Extracted (AVE) was calculated. The AVE successfully surpassed the recommended threshold of 0.50 for nearly all scales, demonstrating high shared variance among the items within each construct. The sole exception was the need for control scale, which registered an AVE of 0.47.

Discriminant Validity was confirmed by examining the Heterotrait-Monotrait ratio (HTMT). All calculated HTMT values were found to be below the conservative recommended threshold of 0.85, providing strong evidence that the constructs measured are distinct from one another.

Reliability

Internal consistency, a key measure of reliability, was evaluated using two statistical methods depending on the number of items per scale. For scales comprising three or more items, Cronbach’s alpha was computed. For two-item scales, Spearman-Brown correlations were utilized.

The resulting reliability coefficients demonstrated acceptable to excellent internal consistency across the subscales, with values ranging from .55 to .93. This range supports the use of the scales for research purposes, confirming that the items within each subscale consistently measure the same underlying construct.

Factor Analysis

The structural integrity of the measurement model was assessed using Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA). This analysis aimed to evaluate the goodness of fit of the saturated model based on several established fit indices.

The indices utilized included the Standardized Least Square Residuals (SRMR), the unweighted least squares discrepancy (dULS), and the geodesic discrepancy (dG). The SRMR value was 0.075, which is below the recommended threshold of 0.080 (Hu, Bentler, & Kano, 1992), indicating a satisfactory model fit. Furthermore, both discrepancy indicators (dULS and dG) were below their corresponding 95% quantile reference distribution, providing robust empirical support for the hypothesized structure of the latent variables.

Instrument

Test Type: Original Inventory/Questionnaire

Format: The instrument consists of 37 items. Most items are measured on 7-point Likert-scales ranging from 1 = fully disagree to 7 = fully agree.

Language Available: German (Original Language); English (Present in documentation)

Population Group: Human (Male and Female)

Age Group: Adulthood (18 years and older)

Population Details: The study population consisted of employed Information System Users located in Germany.

Test Methodology: The comprehensive methodology involved examining test validity (including Convergent Validity and Discriminant Validity), test reliability (internal consistency using Cronbach’s alpha and Spearman-Brown), and structural evaluation through Confirmatory Factor Analysis.

Keywords

Internal Consistency, Cronbach’s alpha, Spearman-Brown Correlation, Average Variance Extracted (AVE), Heterotrait-Monotrait ratio (HTMT), Standardized Least Square Residuals (SRMR), Goodness of Fit, Confirmatory Factor Analysis, Trust Disposition, Well-Being.

Authors

Author ORCID Identifier: Hertel, Guido: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7754-2786

Affiliation Email addresses: Müller, Lea S.: [email protected]

Correspondence Address: Müller, Lea S.: University of Münster, Institute of Psychology, Fliednerstrasse 21, Münster, Germany, 48149. Email: [email protected]

Permissions & Fee and Test Year

Permissions: Contact Corresponding Author (Lea S. Müller) for usage permissions.

Fee: No fee is required for academic use, and the instrument is classified as non-commercial.

Test Year: 2025

Reference’s

Müller, L. S., & Hertel, G. (2025). Trusting information systems in everyday work events—Effects on cognitive resources, performance, and well-being. Ergonomics, 68(1), 19–36. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00140139.2023.2286910

Items of the the Information Systems Trust–Measurement Model

IMPORTANT: The following scale items must be preserved in their original language and must not be changed in any way.

Number of items:

This measure consists of 37 items.

Factors and Subscales:

Subscales: Trust Disposition; Technology Competence; Need for Cognition; Conscientiousness; Need for Control; Trust; Accountability; Distraction; Forgetting; Well-being; Strain; Performance.

Test Items Available:

No data is Available

Test Location:

2025-63882-002, Appendix, Page 36