Replication data for: The Currency of Reciprocity: Gift Exchange in the Workplace

Principal Investigator(s): View help for Principal Investigator(s) Sebastian Kube; Michel André Maréchal; Clemens Puppe

Version: View help for Version V1

Name	File Type	Size	Last Modified
20100161_data			09/14/2021 02:10:PM
LICENSE.txt	text/plain	14.6 KB	10/11/2019 01:41:PM

Project Citation:

Kube, Sebastian, Maréchal, Michel André, and Puppe, Clemens. Replication data for: The Currency of Reciprocity: Gift Exchange in the Workplace. Nashville, TN: American Economic Association [publisher], 2012. Ann Arbor, MI: Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research [distributor], 2019-10-11. https://doi.org/10.3886/E112534V1

Project Description

Summary: What determines reciprocity in employment relations? We conducted a controlled field experiment to measure the extent to which monetary and nonmonetary gifts affect workers' performance. We find that nonmonetary 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 nonmonetary gift. This result is consistent with the common saying, "it's the thought that counts." We underline this point by showing that monetary gifts can effectively trigger reciprocity if the employer invests more time and effort into the gift's presentation.

Scope of Project

Subject Terms: in-kind; non-monetary compensation; Reciprocity; Gift Exchange; Field Experiment

JEL Classification:
      D64 Altruism; Philanthropy; Intergenerational Transfers
      J33 Compensation Packages; Payment Methods
      J53 Labor-Management Relations; Industrial Jurisprudence

Geographic Coverage: Germany

Time Period(s): 2007 – 2010 (May 2007, July and August 2010)

Universe: Recruited student helpers at a German University

Data Type(s): experimental data

Methodology

Unit(s) of Observation: Individual workers,

Related Publications

Download this project

Published Versions

V1 [2019-10-11]

Export Metadata

Dublin Core

DDI 2.5

Report a Problem

Found a serious problem with the data, such as disclosure risk or copyrighted content? Let us know.

This material is distributed exactly as received from the data depositor. As of April 2026, depositors are required to submit study materials in accessible formats. ICPSR has not reviewed, checked, or processed this material. For additional information about the study, please contact the investigator(s) directly. If you have questions about the accessibility of materials distributed by ICPSR or require further assistance, please visit ICPSR's Accessibility Center.