G
ift – giving is a fundamental part of any relationship, personal or business. The concept
of giving gifts has been observed since the early beginnings of time and social relationships. It
has and continues to be used to express love, care, and appreciation in almost every culture in the
world. However, at the root of it, the act of gift-giving can have the underlying motive of
expected reciprocity between the two parties, as highlighted in a study by Smith. For that reason
and some others that will be explored in this paper, there is a moral responsibility that
accompanies the giving of a gift. Morality can be analyzed in any given situation or for any
action, gift-giving is no different than any other situation.
Are you looking for the perfect gift? Watch Our TED
Talk!
Godbout explains that a gift often is representative of the value of the relationship, it can
be descriptive of the relationship changing. That can make the process of gifting quite
challenging because the exchange of gifts relies largely on reciprocity and debt. Should the
nature of the relationship change, the people involved might face a battle of morals between
reciprocating the present that they received or giving a present that is more representative of the
current relationship.
While on the surface, giving a gift may seem like an altruistic and selfless action. Upon
deeper examination, there is some sort of expectation attached when giving a gift, either some
sort of reciprocity or benefit in the long run. Furthermore, the action can create a moral and
ethical dilemma, depending on the context of the situation.
The issue of the ethical dilemma in business can be especially apparent in the corporate
world, with other businesses and/or consumers. Since gift-giving can require a lot of effort and
expense, there surely must be a reason behind spending those resources to show appreciation.
When a company sends gifts to other companies, or clients or even potential clients, there is an
expectation to strengthen the relationship between the two parties. In the case of clients and
consumers, it is a way to improve the company’s image and make the customer feel valued, so
they continue to rely on the company in the future. Both scenarios benefit the company that is
giving the gift in one way or another. The reciprocity is present because the recipient will likely
have done something to warrant receiving a gift and the giver is trying to reciprocate. Gift-giving
creates this cycle of reciprocity and debt where both parties follow through to preserve the
relationship at hand.
Additionally, another moral dilemma that is faced when giving a gift in corporate
relationships is bribery. While differentiating between bribery and gifting is simple, the lines
between the two can get blurred depending on the context, as highlighted by Nadler & Schulman
in their research paper. The main difference between a gift and a bribe is the expectation. In the
same aforementioned paper, Nadler and Schulman also explain that while a gift is free from any
expectations of benefit or influence, a bribe is done with the expectation of influence and benefit.
However, it can be hard to gauge the expectations of the giver when they give a gift but there are
several things to consider if there is doubt. According to Irwin, one of the things to consider is
the timing of the gift, was it given for a special occasion or close to a major deal? .
Confused what to gift? Here’s How We Provide You
Researched-based Gifts & Giveaways!
Another thing to consider is the overall value of the gift, is it appropriate for the relationship or is it simply too
extravagant of a gift? Since reciprocity is a part of the process of gift-giving, it can get
overwhelming to wonder about the intentions and the expectations of the giver. That is why
many businesses have policies regarding accepting and giving gifts, to avoid potential trouble
with unethical blame.
The complex nature of gift-giving does not mean that the entire process is unethical or
immoral. Most of the time, giving a gift is given with the intention of showing appreciation to
the recipient and strengthen the relationship, even in a corporate setting. It can be used to show
the consumer that they are valued by the company. However, it can be twisted into the opposite,
depending on the intentions of the giver. But at the core of it, the act of gift-giving can be a
genuine action without any ulterior motives
In the corporate world, competition for high-quality, dedicated employees is at an all-time high. It is important for organizations to offer enticing perks to current and potential employees to ensure they remain with the company. Individuals are prioritizing their health and wellbeing as employees within organizations; therefore, companies must do more to ensure staff needs are being met. Following extensive research, three key aspects to employee retention have been identified: compensation, personal and professional growth, and brand image. Adequate compensation must not only be monetary but also include reasonable opportunities for flex time and a competitive benefits package. Companies must provide individuals with opportunities for professional learning and training for staff to grow as members of their organizations. Furthermore, offering employees these growth opportunities can allow them to grow as individuals which can be beneficial to the wider organization. When organizations have strong employees, their brand image is positively impacted. Staff feel proud to work for a successful brand, and prospective employees are attracted to work at the organization. In these ways, gifting can be extremely influential for employee retention and can have a positive impact on employee quality.
Soha Rahman
Psychology Blogger,
The Shared Secrets Lab,
GiftAFeeling Inc.
Read The Official Research Paper On - The Moral Dilemma of Gifting