FORGING TRUSTFUL CONNECTIONS

This dissertation examines the role of trust in shaping inter-organizational relationships (IORs) among school districts, employers, and intermediary organizations in developing a Youth Apprenticeship in Washington State. Using the framework developed by Mayer, Davis, and Schoorman (1995), the study explores trust through three dimensions—Benevolence, Competence, and Integrity—to analyze how these factors influence stakeholder collaboration, decision-making authority, and program sustainability.