Sharing is Caring: Reciprocal Behaviors and Professional Networking

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to contribute to the existing literature regarding the interactions between individuals in a professional context, as a factor for their success. First, this study sheds light on the newly developed typology of reciprocity styles established by Grant (2013), containing three interactional categories called givers, matchers and takers. By using Wolff and Moser’s (2009) networking measurement, the study explores whether giving, matching and taking behaviors are relevant when explaining the structural and functional differences in professional networking (building, maintaining, and using contacts inside and outside the organization). In addition, this study builds on the findings in the field of social psychology, which have proven that people build the most collaborative and longest-lasting connections when they work together on tasks. It thus, tests, whether task interdependence can strengthen the relationship between giving, matching, and taking behaviors and professional networking. This study employed a quantitative cross-lagged research design. The analysis of 385 participants showed that there is a relationship between giving and taking behaviors and professional networking. Giving behavior correlated positively to building internal contacts, maintaining internal contacts, and using external contacts. Taking behavior correlated negatively to maintaining internal contacts, building external contacts and using external contacts. Last, the findings indicate that task interdependence moderated the relationship between giving and taking behaviors and professional networking. Keywords: giving behavior, matching behavior, taking behavior, professional networking, and task interdependence