國際合資存在著高度失敗率及不穩定性，為了瞭解國際合資的成功，許多學者延伸交易成本理論中有關「自利」部份的理論基礎，認為成功的國際合資必須要有社會心理的合作基礎，並主張當雙方的關係由「互為人質」地位，轉變成基於「信任及關係承諾」時，合作才變得有效率。信任及關係承諾可以降低投機行為、改善合資績效，並克服在合資營運上可能產生的許多問題。本研究首先探討關係承諾及信任的理論基礎；其次，從國內參與母公司的觀點，來討論及驗證國際合資中，信任及關係承諾之前因及後果變數。

International joint ventures (IJVs) are inherently risky with high failure and instability rates. To explain IJVs success, several authors extend the primarily calculate self-interest rational of transaction cost theory. They suggest that the successful IJVs require a social psychological basis of cooperation, and argue that cooperation becomes efficient when the mutual hostage position of the relationship evolves into a relationship based on trust and relationship commitment. We argue that trust and relationship commitment can reduce opportunistic behaviors, improve IJVs performance, and overcome some of the numerous problems associated with the operation of an IJVs. In this study, we theorize that successful IJVs relationship requires relationship commitment and trust, and we investigate the antecedents and consequences of relationship commitment and trust in IJVs from the local partner’s perspective.