Generalized Reciprocity and Interfirm Cooperation: A Study of Entrepreneurial Development in Argentina

S. Fremeaux (), R. Sferrazzo and A. Grevin
Additional contact information
S. Fremeaux: Audencia Business School
R. Sferrazzo: Audencia Business School

Post-Print from HAL

Abstract: Business ethics research on generalized reciprocity, which focuses on the cascade of gifts induced by unconditional giving, often emphasizes the quality of the resulting interpersonal relationships, overlooking the possible development of interfirm cooperation. Our study addresses this gap by answering the following research question: How can generalized reciprocity encourage the emergence and development of interfirm cooperation? Drawing on an analysis of 94 semi-structured interviews with members and partners of a small common good-oriented firm, we revealed the triggers and principles behind generalized reciprocity in the small business context and demonstrated how they facilitate interfirm cooperation. Furthermore, we showed that generalized reciprocity is a possible driving force behind interfirm cooperation through a three-stage process: the collective experience of generalized reciprocity, the collective awareness of the values of generalized reciprocity, and the collective belief in the benefits of generalized reciprocity.

Keywords: Common good; culture of giving; generalized reciprocity; trust (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025-12
Note: View the original document on HAL open archive server: https://hal.science/hal-05447147v1
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:

Published in Journal of Business Ethics, 2025, 203 (1), pp.73-89. ⟨10.1007/s10551-025-06016-7⟩

There are no downloads for this item, see the EconPapers FAQ for hints about obtaining it.

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:hal:journl:hal-05447147

DOI: 10.1007/s10551-025-06016-7

Access Statistics for this paper

More papers in Post-Print from HAL
Bibliographic data for series maintained by CCSD ().