Factors in Determining the

Morality of Gift-Giving

7 Factors in determining the

Morality of Gift-Giving
1. The Value of the Gift
2. Purpose of the Gift
3. Circumstances under which the Gift was
given or received
4. Position between or Relationship of the
Giver and Receiver
5. Acceptable Business Practice in the Industry
6. Company Policy
7. Laws and Regulations

 Value of the Gift

Nominal Value these are offered as
gesture of common courtesy.
example : inexpensive bottle of wine,
free passes to the movies, mugs and etc
Substantial Value - of considerable
importance, size and worth
example: VIP seats at a big event or
concerts , a vacation tour, house and
lot.

 Value of the Gift

The term nominal or substantial
in this point of view is relative. It
varies on beliefs and culture of a
particular of people and society.
In a majority point of view, a valuable
gift is definitely unethical because
the goodwill motives of the giver
are open to doubt.

 Purpose of the Gift

As long as the gift is not intended or received as a
bribe and remains nominal, there doesnt appear to
be any serious problem.
Difference between Gift and Bribe:
Gift - something of value given without the
expectation of anything in return. Generally done in
the open and not in secret.
Bribe - is given in the hope of influence or benefit,
usually done in secret and often insisted upon.

Circumstances under
which the Gift was Given
Reason:
Attached to an occasion
(Holidays, Special Event , Seasons)
Unattached to any occasion
Manner the Gift was given:
Openly
Secretly

Position between or
Relationship of the Giver
and Receiver
In a superior and subordinate
relationship, for instance, the donor
or recipients have to make it clear
that they dont intend to allow the
gift to influence their actions and
decisions.

Acceptable Business
Practice in the Industry
Monetary gifts and tips are usually
practiced in numerous service
industries. When gratuities are an
integral part of customary business
practice, they are far less prone to
pose moral questions.

Company Policy
If firms explicitly forbid the practice
of giving receiving gifts to its
customers, vendors or suppliers,
associates, or corporate directors,
then gift-giving would normally be
wrong.

Laws and Regulations

Certain federal, state or local
government institutions may impose
laws that forbid accepting gifts from
firms with which they do business.
When these gift transactions violate
the law, they are clearly
unacceptable.

Conclusion
Still, the ultimate moral judgment
hinges on whether an objective
partly could reasonably suspect that
the gift might lead the recipient to
sacrifice the interest of the firm for
his/her own personal gain.