Asymmetrical Reciprocity: A Contribution to the Theory of Political Legitimacy [and Comments and Reply]

Orenstein, Henry; Ake, Claude; Cooper, Eugene; Holzberg, Carol S.; Krader, Lawrence; Kurtz, Donald V.; Liep, John; Oshima, Kazunori; Wrong, Dennis H.

doi:10.1086/202402

Cited by 11 publications

(3 citation statements)

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“…This, we believe, had to do with the small size of these independently owned companies. As noted by Orenstein (1980), in some instances it is socially acceptable not to give, e.g. when there is a size or a power discrepancy.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Similarly, Marcoux (2009) shows situations where relationships are avoided because people don't want to be placed in a situation of reciprocity. Orenstein (1980) points to the existence of what he calls asymmetrical reciprocity, that is instances where it is socially approved not to reciprocate on the same scale as the initial gifts. This can be in the case of a great political leader, where either the followers never will be able to reciprocate the leader's gifts of wealth or knowledge, or as in our case where bigger corporations are sending Christmas gifts to dependent sub-suppliers.…”

Section: The History Of Gift-giving Theoriesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This strengthens our view that many of them might be too small to invest in Christmas gifts. By receiving from their assumedly larger business partners, they engage in what Orenstein (1980) calls asymmetrical reciprocity. Thus, although they do not all give gifts, the majority of them take part in Christmas gift exchange either as receiver, giver or both.…”

Section: Christmas Gifts Givenmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Regarding gifts—on Christmas gift exchange and asymmetrical business relations

Lemmergaard¹,

Muhr

2011

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Gift exchange, and the economy associated with it, is not restricted only to those tribal cultures where it has mostly been studied, but can also appear as an element of contemporary market economies. Yet despite this, the practical functioning of gift relationships between business partners is an understudied area. By studying the giving of corporate Christmas gifts, this article contributes to closing this gap. Gifts are seen here as signifiers of hierarchy, position and intent, and although market economy reigns supreme in Western societies, important layers of social economies—such as gift economies—dictate the way in which we behave and read the market economy. Christmas gifts thus represent more than their economic value, and have a social value that is capable of connecting or separating business partners in very specific ways. An understanding of this is crucial for companies trying to manage their image and the signals they send to business partners.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: The History Of Gift-giving Theoriesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Christmas Gifts Givenmentioning

confidence: 99%

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