How can a culture of giving be diffused between individuals?
We investigate the development of a culture of giving—also referred to as a culture of solidarity—within an organizational context. More specifically, we conduct a qualitative study of how such a culture can concretely diffuse within and beyond organizations, based on 68 semi-structured interviews with members of three common-good-oriented organizations located in Philippines, South Korea, and Paraguay.
Our findings indicate that a culture of giving can develop through a three-stage process comprising:
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the construction of a solidarity-oriented mission;
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the sharing of solidarity;
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the diffusion of solidarity;
Taken together, these stages form a virtuous cycle.
We also find that a culture of giving does not rest on constrained, instrumentalized, or sacrificial actions. Rather, it can constitute a free, authentic, and fulfilling way for organizational members to realize themselves while contributing to the mission of their organization.
https://hal.science/hal-04346138
How can a culture of giving benefit users?
While the personal and social benefits of generosity have been demonstrated in sociological studies, little is known about the levers and mechanisms of generosity within organizations. This article explores how members of a social and educational organization can participate in the culture of giving. Based on an analysis of 89 semi-structured interviews with members of five different institutions oriented toward youth education, the authors provide insight into the different ways to contribute to disseminating generosity. Our study reveals how certain managerial practices can be effective levers for developing a culture of giving within an educational organization. We also show that each member of this type of organization is assigned specific roles of giver and receiver to enable their participation in the educational project.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/emre.12603
How can a culture of giving diffuse between firms?
Business ethics research on generalized reciprocity, which focuses on the cascade of gifts induced by unconditional giving, often emphasizes the quality of the resulting interpersonal relationships, overlooking the possible development of interfirm cooperation (See the previous papers). Our study addresses this gap by answering the following research question: How can generalized reciprocity encourage the emergence and development of interfirm cooperation? Drawing on an analysis of 94 semi-structured interviews with members and partners of a small common good-oriented firm, we revealed the triggers and principles behind generalized reciprocity in the small business context and demonstrated how they facilitate interfirm cooperation. Furthermore, we showed that generalized reciprocity is a possible driving force behind interfirm cooperation through a three-stage process: the collective experience of generalized reciprocity, the collective awareness of the values of generalized reciprocity, and the collective belief in the benefits of generalized reciprocity.
https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2026-19155-001
How can a culture of giving foster an ecological transition?
In the civil economy, and even more so in the gift economy, the logic of giving can find its place in economic activity itself. It is well established that giving can support social and ecological actions, but the question remains as to how it can support an organization’s ecological transition. Based on a qualitative investigation within a South Korean gift economy organization, our study reveals that ecological awareness-raising or training, support for ecological actors, and efforts to reduce waste and emissions are all more effective when they are experienced as opportunities to practice the logic of giving and to strengthen social ties. We also highlight four characteristics of the ecological transition based on the logic of giving: ecological giving as a choice for entrepreneurs and managers, the practice of ecological giving by all, the cascading of ecological gifts, and the synergy between social and ecological giving. Finally, our study identifies the specific tensions inherent in this ecological response and also shows how, in a collectivist culture, economic actors confront these tensions by focusing on the benefits of collective action.
https://hal.science/hal-05605769v1/document