The Moral Dilemma of Gifting

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? .

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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