The currency of reciprocity - gift-exchange in the workplace

Sebastian Kube, Michel Andr� Mar�chal and Clemens Puppe ()
Authors registered in the RePEc Author Service: Michel André Maréchal

No 377, IEW - Working Papers from Institute for Empirical Research in Economics - University of Zurich

Abstract: What determines reciprocity in employment relations? We conducted a controlled field experiment to measure the extent to which monetary and non-monetary gifts affect workers� performance. We find that non-monetary gifts have a much stronger impact than monetary gifts of equivalent value. We also observe that when workers are offered the choice, they prefer receiving money but reciprocate as if they received a non-monetary gift. This result is consistent with the common saying, �it�s the thought that counts�. We underline this point by showing that also monetary gifts can effectively trigger reciprocity if the employer invests more time and effort into the gift�s presentation.

Keywords: Field experiment; reciprocity; gift-exchange; non-monetary; inkind. (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C93 J30 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2010-02, Revised 2011-08
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-cbe, nep-lab and nep-soc
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (21)

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Related works:
Journal Article: The Currency of Reciprocity: Gift Exchange in the Workplace (2012)
Working Paper: The currency of reciprocity - gift-exchange in the workplace (2011)
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:zur:iewwpx:377

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