This document describes an experiential activity called the Reciprocity RingTM that is used to build social capital through generalized reciprocity. It involves participants making requests of each other that are intended to create new connections and strengthen existing ones. The summary is: 1. The Reciprocity RingTM is a trademark activity that models using social networks to help others with the goal of generating reciprocity and positive emotions. 2. A typical session involves participants taking turns making "SMART" requests of each other, responding to requests, and following up afterwards. 3. The activity is intended to produce real benefits for participants by creating new connections and strengthening existing ones in order to build social capital within the

1. Teaching Social Networks PDW
Academy of Management 2013 Annual Meeting, Orlando, FL (August 10, 2013)
The Reciprocity Ring™
Wayne Baker
Chair, Management & Organizations
Robert P. Thome Professor of Business Administration
Ross School of Business, University of Michigan
The Reciprocity Ring™ is a trademark of Humax Corporation. Please note that all materials, concepts and information ("Materials") used or
presented in conjunction with the Reciprocity Ring™ activity are the property of Humax Corporation and further protected by copyright. Please do
use, reproduce, copy, or otherwise duplicate, or distribute, lend or otherwise transfer any copies of such Materials without the express written
permission of Humax Corporation. Email <info@humaxnetworks.com> , website <www.humaxnetworks.com>

2. Outline
 Origin of the idea
 Description
 Overview of typical session
 Materials and support

3. Social capital = networks +
generalized reciprocity

4. Reciprocity Ring™
“Reciprocity is the engine
of social capital.”
Baker (2000)
Copyright © 2013 by Humax Corporation. All rights reserved.

5. Reciprocity Ring
A group-level experiential activity that creates
generalized reciprocity.
 Produces real benefits in the activity itself
 Models the use of networks to help others
and self
 Creates new ties, strengthens existing ties
 Generates positive emotions
Copyright © 2013 by Humax Corporation. All rights reserved.

6. Reciprocity Ring usage
 N=18,000 participants
 Undergrads, MBAs, EMBAs, Executive Education,
outside training and consulting
 Stanford, Kellogg, Michigan,Chicago Booth, Toronto,
INSEAD, Queens, Wharton, etc.
 Abbott Laboratories, Google, McKinsey & Co.,
Novartis, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Medtronic, General
Motors, Amtrak, Morgan Stanley, Prudential, Office
Depot, etc.
 Typical group of 24 people realizes benefits valued at
over $150,000 and saves over 1,600 hours of time
 United States, Argentina, Belgium,Chile, China, Great
Britain, Hong Kong, France, Israel, Korea, Serbia,
Singapore, South Africa, Spain,United Arab Emirates,
etc. Copyright © 2013 by Humax Corporation. All rights reserved.

7. Follow the recipe
Copyright © 2013 by Humax Corporation. All rights reserved.

9. The recipe in brief
Set up
 Introduction – stories, examples, definitions
 Run 1 or 2 rounds of the Reciprocity Ring
• 1 round of requests ~1.5 hours
• 2 rounds of requests ~ 2.5 hours
 Conclusion

10. Introduction
“The touchstone of social
capital is the principle of
generalized reciprocity. I’ll
do this for you now, without
expecting anything
immediately in return and
perhaps without even
knowing you, confident that
down the road you or
someone else will return the
favor.” Putnam (2000)

11. Direct Reciprocity vs.
Generalized Reciprocity
You help me and I help
you.
You help me and I help
someone else
(pay it forward).

12. “Designers call these meetings to seek the help of other
designers at IDEO who are not already involved in the
project…. The designers who attend brainstorming
sessions do so because they believe they can contribute
distinctive technical solutions to the problem and
because, if they don’t help with others’ projects, the favor
will not be returned.”
“These interactions made visible the norms for
asking for help, sharing knowledge, and giving
help….”
Hargadon and Sutton 1997
Organizational Practices:
Brainstorming & Monday Morning Meetings

13. "Always go to other people's
funerals, otherwise they
won't come to yours.“
- Yogi Berra

14. Running the Reciprocity Ring™
 Formulate SMART requests
 Make requests
 Respond to requests
 Follow up
Copyright © 2013 by Humax Corporation. All rights reserved.

15. Examples of Personal Requests
1. My teenaged daughter needs tennis lessons with a pro in the Chicago
suburbs.
2. My request is to see a Bengal tiger
in the wild.
4. My request is two tickets to be on
Emeril Live! in NYC to celebrate
my 10th anniversary.
3. I was adopted at birth and I am looking for my
biological parents’ last name.
5. My son has just been arrested. I need someone to watch
my two Great Danes tomorrow while I go bail him out.
Copyright © 2013 by Humax Corporation. All rights reserved.

16. Examples of Work-Related Requests
1. I am looking for a civil engineer with project management
experience to relocate to Florida.
4. I’m about to pay an outside vendor
$50,000 to synthesize a strain of the
PCS alkaloid. I need a cheaper
alternative.
2. I want advice on how to become the
wealthiest and most productive commercial
loan officer at my bank.
3. I need advice on how to manage and improve my relationship
with my boss.
5. I need a recommendation for an online project management system
for a dispersed team.
Copyright © 2013 by Humax Corporation. All rights reserved.

17. Conclusion
1. Continue using the Reciprocity Ring™
2. Informal practice of generalized reciprocity in
group or team
3. Identify an opportunity in your next email or
FTF interaction
For information about using the Reciprocity Ring™ contact Humax
Corporation <www.humaxnetworks.com>
Copyright © 2013 by Humax Corporation. All rights reserved.

18. Materials and Support
 All Reciprocity Ring™ materials (erasable or
disposable poster, colored request cards, etc.)
 PowerPoint presentation (customizable)
 Step-by-step instructions for running a
successful RR (the recipe)
 Equipment and room setup
 Training DVDs
 Tips for running the RR in large groups
Copyright © 2013 by Humax Corporation. All rights reserved.