Management Summary Research Study „Factors influencing the perception of transactions as gifts or bribes in an online vignette experiment“

The study examined how people decide whether a transaction—such as giving money or a gift—is perceived as a genuine gesture of appreciation or as a bribe. Participants evaluated scenarios varying in relationship type, gift value, and form of transfer.

Findings show that high-value, monetary gifts between people in strictly professional relationships are most often seen as bribes, whereas small or personal gifts among acquaintances are more likely interpreted as acceptable social behavior.

In practice, organizations should design gift policies that reflect context and intent, not just monetary thresholds. Transparent communication and proportionality are key: clarifying why a gift is given and ensuring it fits the nature of the relationship can reduce ethical ambiguity and build long-term trust.

Target groups of stakeholders: leadership & compliance, internal audit/risk, HR & ethics training

Citation: Arntz, M., & Bahník, Š. (2025). Factors influencing the perception of transactions as gifts or bribes in an online vignette experiment. The Journal of Social Psychology, 165(1), pp. https://doi.org/10.1080/00224545.2025.2576768

Source: Fulltext available from Taylor & Francis Online: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00224545.2025.2576768?scroll=top&needAccess=true#d1e422