Reciprocity Theory Research Articles

Customer incivility and frontline employees’ revenge intentions: interaction effects of employee empowerment and turnover intentions

ABSTRACTDrawing on reciprocity, revenge, and retaliation theories, we examined a three-way interaction effect of customer incivility, turnover intentions and employee empowerment on the revenge intentions of frontline employees (FLEs) in the UAE service organizations. We tested the hypotheses using data from two different studies through a time-lagged research design. In Study 1, a sample of 192 FLEs working in a variety of service organizations (including those operating in hospitality sector) was collected. Study 2 replicated the findings of study 1 by collecting a sample of 184 FLEs working in hospitality organizations. The results of both studies consistently show that the strongest negative reaction (revenge intention) in response to customer incivility is displayed by highly empowered employees when they have high turnover intentions. Based on our novel findings, hospitality and other service-oriented organizations need to understand that interaction of situational factors with episodes of customer incivility can prompt stronger employee reactions.

When and Why People Evaluate Negative Reciprocity as More Fair Than Positive Reciprocity.

If you are kind to me, I am likely to reciprocate and doing so feels fair. Many theories of social exchange assume that such reciprocity and fairness are well aligned with one another. We argue that this correspondence between reciprocity and fairness is restricted to interpersonal dyads and does not govern more complex multilateral interactions. When multiple people are involved, reciprocity leads to partiality, which may be seen as unfair by outsiders. We report seven studies, conducted with people from the United States, in which participants were asked to evaluate situations involving resource distribution in contexts such as economic games, government, and the workplace. Specifically, we find that equal resource distribution in multilateral interactions is seen as more fair than engaging in reciprocity. We also find that negative reciprocity is seen as more fair than positive reciprocity in these multilateral situations because positive reciprocity is perceived as based in favoritism. We rule out alternative explanations and demonstrate that there are contexts where favoritism is not viewed as unfair. These findings are important for theories of fairness and reciprocity as they demonstrate the central role of perceived partiality in the evaluation of multi-party resource allocation.

How union participation influences union commitment and job involvement

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to draw on triadic reciprocal determinism and social exchange theory to examine how “induced-type” and “compulsory-type” union participation influence union commitment and job involvement, and how union participation in the west differs from that in China. It also examines whether the role of both organizational justice and employee participation climate (EPC) functions in the Chinese context.Design/methodology/approachCross-sectional data are collected from 694 employees in 46 non-publicly owned enterprises, both Chinese and foreign, in the Pearl River Delta region of China. A multi-level moderated mediation test is used to examine the model of this research.FindingsUnion participation is positively related to organizational justice, union commitment and job involvement. In addition, organizational justice acts as the mediator among union participation, union commitment and job involvement. Specifically, the mediating role of organizational justice between union participation and union commitment, and between union participation and job involvement, is stronger in high-EPC contexts than low-EPC contexts.Originality/valueInstead of examining the impacts of attitudes on union participation, as per most studies in the western context, this research examines the impacts of union participation in the Chinese context on attitudes, including union commitment and job involvement. It also reveals the role of both organizational justice and EPC in the process through which union participation influences union commitment and job involvement.

Mediated mutual reciprocity in the process of African children’s social ontogenesis

The paper highlights Nsamenang’s social ontogenesis theoretical stance in explaining how participatory pedagogies in socialisation impact not only development but children’s capacity to assume responsibilities for their own development. A synoptic review is presented of widely discussed challenges faced by African children, under the headings of redefining the African personhood and process of child development, poverty and malnutrition, changes in educational systems and poor access to quality education, child labour versus productive participation in the household economy, conflict and war, the HIV/AIDS pandemic and access to health care. Research evidence from Cameroon suggests that despite the challenges and adversities faced by these children, their ingenuity, resilience and cultural assets play an important role in mediating positive outcomes. Building on and expanding Nsamenang’s Africentric perspective on the sustaining power of African indigenous education processes, the paper presents a complementary theory of Mediated Mutual Reciprocity (MMR) that explains how children and learners are the main drivers of the learning process.

Modelling and analysis for a cylindrical net-shell deployable mechanism

Existing cylindrical deployable structures have poor controllability of deployment or weak bearing capacity. In order to satisfy the application needs of cylindrical deployable structures in the space industry, a cylindrical net-shell deployable mechanism is established in this article. The proposed cylindrical net-shell deployable mechanism has a regular cuboid shape in the folded state and a truss structure in the deployed state, and it can fit cylindrical surface, parabolic cylindrical surface, sine cylindrical surface and so on. Furthermore, based on reciprocal screw theory and screw synthesis theory, the mobility of cylindrical net-shell deployable mechanism in the whole motion cycle is analysed by the proposed equivalent model method. Results show that the cylindrical net-shell deployable mechanism is a single-degree-of-freedom mechanism. Moreover, a prototype is manufactured, and its motion performance is tested. The experiment shows that the cylindrical net-shell deployable mechanism has a smooth motion performance, and the mobility analysis method for complex coupled mechanism in this study is valid. This study has a certain significance in expanding the application field of cylindrical shell structure.

Reciprocity in international interuniversity global health partnerships

Interuniversity global health partnerships are often between parties unequal in organizational capacity and performance using conventional academic output measures. Mutual benefit and reciprocity are called for but literature examining these concepts is limited. The objectives of this study are to analyse how reciprocity is practiced in international interuniversity global health partnerships and to identify relevant structures of reciprocity. Four East African universities and 125 of their international partnerships were included. A total of 192 representatives participated in key informant interviews and focus group discussions. Interviews were transcribed and analysed thematically, drawing on reciprocity theories from international relations and sociology. A range of reciprocal exchanges, including specific, unilateral and diffuse (bilateral and multilateral), were observed. Many partnerships violated the principle of equivalence, as exchanges were often not equal based on tangible benefits realized. Only when intangible benefits, like values, were considered was equivalence realized. This changed the way the principle of contingency—an action done for benefit received—was observed within the partnerships. The values of individuals, the structures of organizations and the guiding principles of the partnerships were observed to guide more than financial gain. Asymmetry of partners, dissimilar perspectives and priorities, and terms of funding all pose challenges to reciprocity. In an era when strengthening institutions is considered crucial to achieving development goals, more rigorous examination and assessment of reciprocity in partnerships is warranted.

EMP Coupling to a Straight Conductor Above Ground: Transmission Line Formulation Based on Electromagnetic Reciprocity

A simple model for coupling of an electromagnetic plane wave incident on a conductor above ground has been developed using reciprocity theory, providing some advantages as compared to the conventional transmission line approach. The model is developed using a semi-infinitely long single conductor above a lossy ground plane and connected by an arbitrary load impedance to a vertical grounding conductor. This configuration corresponds to the worst-case wave coupling, because it leads to a line induced current larger than in the cases of finite and multiconductor lines. A frequency-domain Thevenin equivalent model is developed to relate the incident wave amplitude to the voltage across a generic load, connected at any point on the vertical conductor. The application to the threat analysis of a high-altitude electromagnetic pulse impact on a power transmission line is discussed by considering the time-domain solution (via inverse Fourier transform) for an incident EMP fast-rise transient (E1) waveshape, following the standard IEC specifications. For typical high-voltage power line load impedances, it is shown that voltage magnitudes in the MV range can be induced across the line termination, in the case of a wave with a near-grazing incidence angle and with wave vector aligned along the horizontal conductor.

Labour Standards in the Global Supply Chain: Workers’ Agency and Reciprocal Exchange Perspective

In the recent decades, fashion brands and retailers in the West have introduced supplier’s Codes of Conduct (CoC) to strengthen international labour standards in their supply chain. Drawing from the concept of workers’ agency and the theory of reciprocity, this paper examines the implementation of CoC from the workers’ perspective and identifies the mechanism used by the workers to negotiate with their employer. Qualitative data was collected from forty semi-structured interviews with mangers, union representative and workers at a garment factory in Vietnam which manufactures clothes to a few well-known fashion brands in the US and Europe. The findings show that, externally, workers are united with the management in hiding non-compliance practices to pass labour audits while, internally, workers challenge the management about long working hours and low pay. This finding highlights the active roles workers play on the two fronts: towards their clients and towards the management. Their collaboration is motivated by the expectation that the management will return the favour by addressing their demands through a reciprocal exchange principle. This paper sheds light on an alternative approach to understanding collective bargaining and labour activism at the bottom of the supply chain and provides recommendations for further research.

A Study on the Effect of Korean Reading Class Based on the Reciprocal Learning Theory

A Study on the Effect of Korean Reading Class Based on the Reciprocal Learning Theory

Sustainable Service Quality and Customer Loyalty: The Role of Customer Satisfaction and Switching Costs in the Pakistan Cellphone Industry

Generally, the current scenario in the hyperactive corporate world, and specifically in the telecom sector, renders companies to compete concurrently on two fronts: Expansion of their customer base and the retention of their current customers. In order to explore and examine the latter concept, the current study hypothesizes the effects of sustainable service quality on customer loyalty with a mediating role of customer satisfaction conceptualized through the reciprocity theory. The study also considers the suggested moderating role of switching cost by theorizing the Apostle model. Pertinently, the satisfied customer may not be loyal if the switching cost is low, since the dynamics of the switching cost provide a useful insight into the phenomenon of retaining the customers through customer satisfaction. The research opts for explanatory study where data were conveniently collected. The study has used the PROCESS macro model 4 and 14 to analyze the data. Findings reveal that the role of customer satisfaction is significant but the effect of the switching cost was considered to be insignificant, elucidating that a satisfied customer will remain loyal even if the switching cost is low. It means that sustaining service quality longitudinally did not affect customer loyalty in the presence of a low switching cost. With a view to complement the study, managerial implications of a switching cost have also been discussed.

A New Mathematical Method to Study the Singularity of 3-RSR Multimode Mobile Parallel Mechanism

In the process of parallel mechanism design, it is difficult to avoid the singularity, especially in the mobile parallel mechanism. Therefore, a new mathematical method to study the singularity of multimode mobile parallel mechanism is proposed. In this paper, the singularity of 3-RSR parallel mechanism (PM) is analyzed by using reciprocal screw methods and linear geometry theory from two aspects of fixed mode and all-attitude multiple motion modes. Specifically, the complete Jacobian matrix of the PM is obtained by using the screw theory, and the reciprocal screw of each branch is expressed with algebraic method and geometric drawing method. Furthermore, the singularity of the PM can be obtained by analyzing the reciprocal screw correlation and using the spatial linear geometry theory. Finally, we analyze the singular configuration of the PM under various modes, which provide theoretical guidance for the gait planning of the multimode mobile PM and will be useful for the selection of mechanism drive and time-sharing control.

Is dark matter and black hole cosmology an effect of Born’s reciprocal relativity theory?

Born’s reciprocal relativity theory (BRRT), based on a maximal proper-force, maximal speed of light, and inertial and non-inertial observers, is re-examined in full detail. Relativity of locality and chronology are natural consequences of this theory, even in flat phase space. The advantage of BRRT is that Lorentz invariance is preserved and there is no need to introduce Hopf algebraic deformations of the Poincaré algebra, de Sitter algebra, nor non-commutative space–times. After a detailed study of the notion of generalized force, momentum, and mass in phase space, we explain that what one may interpret as “dark matter” in galaxies, for example, is just an effect of observing ordinary galactic matter in different accelerating frames of reference than ours. Explicit calculations are provided that explain these novel relativistic effects due to the accelerated expansion of the Universe, and which may generate the present-day density parameter value ΩDM ∼ 0.25 of dark matter. The physical origins behind the numerical coincidences in black hole cosmology are also explored. We finalize with a rigorous study of the curved geometry of (co)tangent bundles (phase space) within the formalism of Finsler geometry, and provide a short discussion on Hamilton spaces.

Analytical Prediction of the Radiation Characteristics of $2\times2$ Ridge Gap Waveguide Slot Antenna Array With Suppressed Grating Lobes at the V-band

In this paper, the radiation patterns due to magnetic sources embedded in a ground plane in the presence of a partially reflective surface are analytically formulated and calculated. Love's equivalence principle, the transmission-line analogy, and the reciprocity theory are all combined and employed to calculate the far-fields of a four-element (2 × 2) slot array excited by the printed ridge gap waveguide technology operating in the V-band. Since the spacing between the array elements is greater than one wavelength, grating lobes cannot be avoided. Hence, to suppress the grating lobes and enhance the antenna directivity, a dielectric superstrate with the proper properties is utilized. The slot antenna array is operating at 60 GHz for millimeter-wave applications. The obtained results from the proposed analytical formulation agree very well with full-wave numerical simulations obtained from the EM commercial tool HFSS. It is worthwhile to mention that the presented analytical solution is about 30 times faster than its full-wave simulator counterpart.

Frontal Lobe Functions in Normal Aging: Metacognition, Autonomy, and Quality of Life

ABSTRACTBackground: Starting from the “frontal lobe hypothesis of cognitive aging”, we aim to study the metacognitive functions (deception, reciprocity, cognitive and affective theory of mind), autonomy and quality of life in normal aging.Methods: Eighty healthy subjects (30 young adults [YA] aged 20–40, 30 old adults [OA] aged 65–79 and 20 very old adults [VOA] aged 80 and over) participated in our study. Standard and novel neuropsychological tasks have been used, assessing abilities to understand others’ mental and affective states, deceptive and cooperative situations.Results: OA and VOA’s performances are significantly poorer than those of YA on first-/second-order false beliefs, deception, reciprocity and emotion recognition tasks. VOA have made more errors than other participants on control false beliefs, general cognition, and memory tasks. Normal aging seems also to be characterized by a reduction in processing speed. The level of instrumental activities of daily living decreases with aging. Theory of mind is associated with individual general cognitive state and executive functions, but not with OA and VOA’s levels of autonomy and quality of life.Conclusion: In this study, we have shown an age-related deterioration of metacognitive functions, which does not seem to be associated with old adults’ autonomy and satisfaction of life. A good level of mental activity could be necessary to maintain satisfactory interpersonal relationships.

Modelling kindness

Kindness is an important concept in reciprocity theory, and may matter also for other forms of motivation. We critically compare definitions proposed by Rabin (1993) and by Dufwenberg and Kirchsteiger (2004). Several reasons to prefer the latter definition are highlighted, but also a flaw (discovered by Isoni and Sugden 2018) which we show can be eliminated using a slightly revised definition.

How to give away your cake and eat it too: Relinquishing control prompts reciprocal generosity.

Many resource allocations confer two rewards, but these rewards typically work in opposition to one another: Reputational rewards come to those who give and material rewards to those who receive. Eight studies reveal that abdicating a resource allocation decision-that is, giving away one's right to choose to someone else-may allow these two rewards to work in tandem. We found that people frequently abdicated to others, and abdication often prompted others to reciprocate by giving away the better of two items. This occurred in part because people perceived abdication to be generous; in fact, individuals who abdicated seemed nearly as generous as individuals who gave away the better item to begin with. Paradoxically, abdicating confers both the reputational benefits of giving and (often) the material benefits of getting. This finding has implications for everyday resource sharing behavior and as well as for theories of fairness and reciprocity. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2018 APA, all rights reserved).

Hunter-Gatherers Maintain Assortativity in Cooperation despite High Levels of Residential Change and Mixing

Widespread cooperation is a defining feature of human societies from hunter-gatherer bands to nation states [1, 2], but explaining its evolution remains a challenge. Although positive assortment of cooperators is recognized as a basic requirement for the evolution of cooperation, the mechanisms governing assortment are debated. Moreover, the social structure of modern hunter-gatherers, characterized by high mobility, residential mixing, and low genetic relatedness [3], undermines assortment and adds to the puzzle of howcooperation evolved. Here, we analyze four years of data (2010, 2013, 2014, 2016) tracking residence and levels of cooperation elicited from a public goods game in Hadza hunter-gatherers of Tanzania. Data were collected from 56 camps, comprising 383 unique individuals, 137 of whom we have data for two or more years. Despite significant residential mixing, we observe a robust pattern of assortment that is necessary for cooperation to evolve; in every year, Hadza camps exhibit high between-camp and low within-camp variation in cooperation. We find little evidence that cooperative behavior within individuals is stable over time or that similarity in cooperation between dyads predicts their future cohabitation. Both sets of findings are inconsistent with models that assume stable cooperative and selfish types, including partner choice models. Consistent with social norms, culture, and reciprocity theories, the strongest predictor of an individual's level of cooperation is the mean cooperation of their current campmates. These findings underscore the adaptive nature ofhuman cooperation-particularly its responsiveness to social contexts-as a feature that is important in generating the assortment necessary for cooperation to evolve.

A passive SPICE model for rectennas

PurposeThis paper aims to present a SPICE model to represent antennas in receiving mode. The model can be used to evaluate the performance of the antenna when it is coupled to several different nonlinear electric circuits. The proposed methodology is particularly suitable for rectenna applications, as it allows the analysis of different configurations for a rectenna more efficiently than using full-wave analysis simulators coupled directly to each rectifier circuit.Design/methodology/approachThe model presented uses reciprocity theory to calculate the ideal voltage source of the Thevenin-equivalent circuit for an antenna. Vector fitting is then used to approximate the model to rational functions that can be converted to Resistor, Inductor and Capacitor circuits. Additional components are added to the circuit to prevent numerical instability.FindingsTwo rectennas are used to illustrate the performance of the proposed model, one based on a 2.45-GHz rectangular patch antenna and another based on a planar spiral antenna. The second antenna has impedance with positive and negative real parts along the frequency range, which could lead to numerical instabilities. The proposed method is shown to be stable while working with these negative resistance values, which may appear during circuit parameterization.Research limitations/implicationsThe equivalent SPICE circuit model for the antenna makes it easy to simulate nonlinear circuits connected to the antenna and perform transient analyses. The computational cost of antenna analysis is reduced, being more computationally efficient than methods that involve full-wave simulation. This characteristic makes it an interesting approach for working with rectennas, or any application where the time constant of the circuit is much longer than the period of the incident wave.Originality/valueFor most antenna applications, the numerical stability of the circuit can be achieved using passive enforcement. However, depending on the phase response of the antenna, the impedance that represents its far-field characteristic may present a negative real part, in which case, passive enforcement will fail. In this paper, the problem of numerical instability is solved by introducing an offset resistance and a current-controlled voltage source to the model.

Role of Employer Branding Dimensions on Employee Retention: Evidence from Educational Sector

Owing to a “War for Talent” every organization is struggling for the best employer status. Thus, attracting, recruiting and retaining talented human capital is the primary focus of every organization. In this regard the aim of the present study is to answer the most frequent and recently asked question of what value(s) organization focus on the retention of their workforce? In so doing, Social Learning Theory and Reciprocity Theory were used as a theoretical background; to further proceed with the study, data was purposively collected from 204 respondents from educational institutes of Pakistan. Findings of the study revealed that development value has a substantial relationship with employee retention. Since, development of new knowledge and skills results in the improvement of one’s present job. Furthermore, limitations and implications of the study are discussed.

You get what you give: theory and evidence of reciprocity in the sharing economy

You get what you give: theory and evidence of reciprocity in the sharing economy