%0 Journal Article %T Functions and Dysfunctions of Interorganizational Trust and Distrust in the Public Sector %A Geert Bouckaert %A Jolien Vanschoenwinkel %A Marloes Callens %A Peter Oomsels %J Administration & Society %@ 1552-3039 %D 2019 %R 10.1177/0095399716667973 %X This contribution explores the functional and dysfunctional roles of interorganizational trust and distrust in the public sector. We construct a conceptual framework and analyze 59 qualitative interviews with key informants in Flemish executive and judiciary public sector organizations. Results indicate that the combination of ¡°trust as rule¡± and ¡°distrust as reasonable exception¡± is functional for interorganizational interactions, whereas ¡°trust as dogma¡± or ¡°distrust as rule¡± gives rise to dysfunctionalities in interorganizational interactions. The study provides empirical evidence that challenges the ¡°positive bias¡± toward trust in extant research, and suggests a more balanced perspective on roles of interorganizational trust and distrust %K dysfunctional trust %K functional distrust %K public administration %K juvenile justice chain %K criminal justice chain %K interorganizational trust %U https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0095399716667973