Kelly Amato

Gift and Reciprocity: Company Experiences and Theoretical Reflections

Master's degree in Economics and Tourism Management

“Alma Mater Studiorum” University of Bologna, 16th July 2013, Language: Italian, Advisor: Maria Gabriella Baldarelli

The thesis aimed to analyze companies that work for the common good (through gift and the quality of relational goods) within Civil Economy and the EoC. These paradigms have been applied to the company experience of Ridix Inc. of Turin through the MGA model: Mission, Governance and Accountability. Two questionnaires were distributed and completed inside the company: one directed at the management and one for employees. Interviews with senior management, financial statements from 2009 to 2012 and the balance sheet ratios were also covered by the analysis. The research has shown that from the perspective of reciprocity and gift, the examined management control represents a modus operandi that focuses on the person. This allows us to respond to situations of uncertainty through the values of generosity (gratuitousness), trust, transparency and relatedness.