SOCIAL EXCHANGE THEORY
Management and Organization Theory, Chapter 33 - Miles, J.A. (2012)
Sharfuddin Chowdhury
MBBS, FCS(SA), FACS, MMed, PhD, DSc (2nd
yr)
October 7, 2025
INTRODUCTION
 Social Exchange Theory (SET) explores relationships as transactions.
 Based on cost-benefit analysis, individuals seek to maximize rewards and
minimize costs.
 Key premise: Social interactions are reciprocal.
 Importance for management: Explains employee motivation,
commitment, and cooperation.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
 Developed from sociology and psychology.
 Roots in economic principles of rational choice.
Peter Blau (1964) – broader
organizational applications.
George Homans (1961) –
behavior as an exchange of
rewards.
CORE CONCEPTS OF SOCIAL EXCHANGE THEORY
 Rewards – benefits from interaction (e.g., recognition, support).
 Costs – sacrifices or negative outcomes (e.g., time, effort).
 Reciprocity – the expectation that positive actions will be returned.
 Comparison Level – benchmark for what individuals expect in a relationship.
 Equity & Justice – perceived fairness is critical for sustained relationships.
BASIC ASSUMPTIONS
 People are rational and seek to maximize rewards.
 Social relationships are interdependent.
 Behavior is contingent upon past interactions and expectations.
 Mutual benefit is essential for long-term relational stability.
TYPES OF EXCHANGE
 Economic Exchange – short-term, explicit, contractual.
 Social Exchange – long-term, trust-based, implicit.
Example: Mentoring programs rely on social exchange, not contractual
obligation.
SOCIAL EXCHANGE IN ORGANIZATIONS
 Employee-Organization relationship is a social exchange:
Organization provides: salary, benefits, support.
Employee provides: loyalty, effort, performance.
 Strong reciprocity leads to:
Increased job satisfaction
Higher organizational commitment
Reduced turnover
FACTORS AFFECTING SOCIAL EXCHANGE
 Trust: Reliability of the other party.
 Power & Dependence: Unequal dependence can strain exchange.
 Cultural Norms: Influence expectations of reciprocity.
 Perceived Fairness: Imbalances reduce satisfaction and cooperation.
UTILITY FOR THE HEALTHCARE LEADERS
 Employee Motivation: Recognition and rewards maintain engagement.
 Leadership: Leaders can build trust through reciprocal behavior.
 Team Dynamics: Collaboration improves when members perceive fairness.
 Conflict Resolution: Understanding exchange imbalances helps manage
disputes.
EXAMPLE IN HEALTHCARE
Scenario: In the emergency department, trauma cases require quick
coordination of nurses, surgeons, anesthetists, and support staff. Nurses often
take on extra shifts or responsibilities during busy trauma admissions.
Application of SET:
 If nurses feel their extra efforts are recognized (e.g., verbal appreciation,
schedule flexibility, professional growth opportunities), they are more willing
to keep supporting the trauma team during critical shortages.
 If perceived costs outweigh benefits (e.g., burnout, lack of recognition, unfair
workload), trust declines, and staff morale drops.
 Reciprocity boosts collaboration—for example, when surgeons acknowledge
nursing contributions, teamwork and efficiency improve.
CRITIQUES AND LIMITATIONS
 Overemphasis on rationality – ignores emotions and altruism.
 Difficult to quantify rewards and costs in complex relationships.
 Assumes reciprocity, but not all social behavior is transactional.
SUMMARY
 Social Exchange Theory explains interpersonal and organizational
behavior.
 Focus on mutual benefit, fairness, and reciprocity.
 Provides a framework for enhancing workplace relationships.
 Still relevant for modern management practices, HR strategies, and
leadership.
APPLICATION OF THEORY TO THE SITUATION
Erica DeBoer
APPLICATION
Resource exchange can be economic, social, or both
Most rewarding outcomes in social exchange theory do not need to
have material value
Reciprocity
Individualistic
Consider a member of the health plan and wellness program
Collectivistic
Social drivers of health and removing barriers to care
THANK YOU

Social Exchange Theory and Example in Real World.pptx

  • 1.
    SOCIAL EXCHANGE THEORY Managementand Organization Theory, Chapter 33 - Miles, J.A. (2012) Sharfuddin Chowdhury MBBS, FCS(SA), FACS, MMed, PhD, DSc (2nd yr) October 7, 2025
  • 2.
    INTRODUCTION  Social ExchangeTheory (SET) explores relationships as transactions.  Based on cost-benefit analysis, individuals seek to maximize rewards and minimize costs.  Key premise: Social interactions are reciprocal.  Importance for management: Explains employee motivation, commitment, and cooperation.
  • 3.
    HISTORICAL BACKGROUND  Developedfrom sociology and psychology.  Roots in economic principles of rational choice. Peter Blau (1964) – broader organizational applications. George Homans (1961) – behavior as an exchange of rewards.
  • 4.
    CORE CONCEPTS OFSOCIAL EXCHANGE THEORY  Rewards – benefits from interaction (e.g., recognition, support).  Costs – sacrifices or negative outcomes (e.g., time, effort).  Reciprocity – the expectation that positive actions will be returned.  Comparison Level – benchmark for what individuals expect in a relationship.  Equity & Justice – perceived fairness is critical for sustained relationships.
  • 5.
    BASIC ASSUMPTIONS  Peopleare rational and seek to maximize rewards.  Social relationships are interdependent.  Behavior is contingent upon past interactions and expectations.  Mutual benefit is essential for long-term relational stability.
  • 6.
    TYPES OF EXCHANGE Economic Exchange – short-term, explicit, contractual.  Social Exchange – long-term, trust-based, implicit. Example: Mentoring programs rely on social exchange, not contractual obligation.
  • 7.
    SOCIAL EXCHANGE INORGANIZATIONS  Employee-Organization relationship is a social exchange: Organization provides: salary, benefits, support. Employee provides: loyalty, effort, performance.  Strong reciprocity leads to: Increased job satisfaction Higher organizational commitment Reduced turnover
  • 8.
    FACTORS AFFECTING SOCIALEXCHANGE  Trust: Reliability of the other party.  Power & Dependence: Unequal dependence can strain exchange.  Cultural Norms: Influence expectations of reciprocity.  Perceived Fairness: Imbalances reduce satisfaction and cooperation.
  • 9.
    UTILITY FOR THEHEALTHCARE LEADERS  Employee Motivation: Recognition and rewards maintain engagement.  Leadership: Leaders can build trust through reciprocal behavior.  Team Dynamics: Collaboration improves when members perceive fairness.  Conflict Resolution: Understanding exchange imbalances helps manage disputes.
  • 10.
    EXAMPLE IN HEALTHCARE Scenario:In the emergency department, trauma cases require quick coordination of nurses, surgeons, anesthetists, and support staff. Nurses often take on extra shifts or responsibilities during busy trauma admissions. Application of SET:  If nurses feel their extra efforts are recognized (e.g., verbal appreciation, schedule flexibility, professional growth opportunities), they are more willing to keep supporting the trauma team during critical shortages.  If perceived costs outweigh benefits (e.g., burnout, lack of recognition, unfair workload), trust declines, and staff morale drops.  Reciprocity boosts collaboration—for example, when surgeons acknowledge nursing contributions, teamwork and efficiency improve.
  • 11.
    CRITIQUES AND LIMITATIONS Overemphasis on rationality – ignores emotions and altruism.  Difficult to quantify rewards and costs in complex relationships.  Assumes reciprocity, but not all social behavior is transactional.
  • 12.
    SUMMARY  Social ExchangeTheory explains interpersonal and organizational behavior.  Focus on mutual benefit, fairness, and reciprocity.  Provides a framework for enhancing workplace relationships.  Still relevant for modern management practices, HR strategies, and leadership.
  • 13.
    APPLICATION OF THEORYTO THE SITUATION Erica DeBoer
  • 14.
    APPLICATION Resource exchange canbe economic, social, or both Most rewarding outcomes in social exchange theory do not need to have material value Reciprocity Individualistic Consider a member of the health plan and wellness program Collectivistic Social drivers of health and removing barriers to care
  • 15.

Editor's Notes

  • #2 Provides a common picture of a process for the whole team. Helps identify which parts of the system are important to measure. Helps generate ideas for change. (Define, standardize or find areas for improvement in a process.)
  • #4 Provides a common picture of a process for the whole team. Helps identify which parts of the system are important to measure. Helps generate ideas for change. (Define, standardize or find areas for improvement in a process.)
  • #5 Provides a common picture of a process for the whole team. Helps identify which parts of the system are important to measure. Helps generate ideas for change. (Define, standardize or find areas for improvement in a process.)
  • #6 Provides a common picture of a process for the whole team. Helps identify which parts of the system are important to measure. Helps generate ideas for change. (Define, standardize or find areas for improvement in a process.)
  • #7 Provides a common picture of a process for the whole team. Helps identify which parts of the system are important to measure. Helps generate ideas for change. (Define, standardize or find areas for improvement in a process.)
  • #8 Provides a common picture of a process for the whole team. Helps identify which parts of the system are important to measure. Helps generate ideas for change. (Define, standardize or find areas for improvement in a process.)
  • #9 Provides a common picture of a process for the whole team. Helps identify which parts of the system are important to measure. Helps generate ideas for change. (Define, standardize or find areas for improvement in a process.)
  • #10 Provides a common picture of a process for the whole team. Helps identify which parts of the system are important to measure. Helps generate ideas for change. (Define, standardize or find areas for improvement in a process.)
  • #11 Provides a common picture of a process for the whole team. Helps identify which parts of the system are important to measure. Helps generate ideas for change. (Define, standardize or find areas for improvement in a process.)
  • #12 Provides a common picture of a process for the whole team. Helps identify which parts of the system are important to measure. Helps generate ideas for change. (Define, standardize or find areas for improvement in a process.)