Towards a Theory of Large-Scale Generalized Exchange

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Essay: Levine and Shah "Towards a Theory of Large-Scale Generalized Exchange." Exchange Organizational Behavior Teaching Journal.


Description

Erik de Bruijn:

"If you like to know more about the phenomenon that is already in place in open source project, but also many other types of communities: Generalized exchange. Generalized exchange occurs when “an individual feels obliged to reciprocate another’s action, not by directly rewarding his benefactor, but by benefiting another actor implicated in a social exchange situation with his benefactor and himself” (Ekeh, 1974:48)1 ."

As further detailed in the thesis On the Viability of the Open Source Development Model for the Design of Physical Objects.

Generalized exchange may also be know as generalized reciprocity.