Trust influences the performance of individuals and groups within organizations. This paper analyzes how trust affects communication and control behavior in complex decision-making situations and which factors determine this. Against the backdrop of an interdisciplinary understanding of trust, a nuanced examination of the causal relationships between trust-related constructs is conducted. A mediation model of interpersonal trust is developed and empirically tested. The possibilities for operationalizing trust are discussed, and reliable measurement instruments for capturing the phenomenon in work relationships are presented. The findings are discussed from both theoretical and methodological perspectives, leading to practical recommendations for positively influencing trust processes within companies.