Abstract:  A meta-analysis was conducted to explore the effect of apology on trust repair, as well as potential moderators of this effect. A literature research yielded 18 qualified papers with 36 effect sizes and 4731 participants. Heterogeneity test indicated that random effects model was appropriate for the meta-analysis. Results showed that apology played a positive effect on trust repair (d = 0.44, p < 0.001). This repair effect was moderated by type of trust violation and type of control group. Compared with the integrity-based trust violation, apology produced a better repair effect on competence-based trust violation. In addition, larger effect was found when silence control group was used than when deny control group was used. No other moderators were found.

Key words:  apology, trust repair, meta-analysis, moderate effect