2017 Volume 26 Issue 4 Pages 191-198
To clarify the role of the institutional trust in risk management in regard to electromagnetic fields (EMF), this study investigated the antecedents and consequences of institutional trust that was moderated by knowledge. A web based survey among the Japanese population was conducted. Respondents answered small quiz on EMF, then rated their trust and other attributes on 10 EMF-related institutions. The results showed that each institution was moderately trusted, and perceived sincerity was the strongest predictor of the institutional trusts regardless of its difference in name recognition. On average, people perceived medium level of risk about EMF, and most people had poor knowledge of EMF. It was also revealed that the relation between trust and risk perception was only significant when knowledge level was high. Implications for risk communication are discussed.