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Whistleblowing in Organizations: An Examination of Correlates of Whistleblowing Intentions, Actions, and Retaliation

Journal of Business Ethics volume 62, pages 277–297 (2005)Cite this article

Abstract

Whistleblowing on organizational wrongdoing is becoming increasingly prevalent. What aspects of the person, the context, and the transgression relate to whistleblowing intentions and to actual whistleblowing on corporate wrongdoing? Which aspects relate to retaliation against whistleblowers? Can we draw conclusions about the whistleblowing process by assessing whistleblowing intentions? Meta-analytic examination of 193 correlations obtained from 26 samples (N = 18,781) reveals differences in the correlates of whistleblowing intentions and actions. Stronger relationships were found between personal, contextual, and wrongdoing characteristics and whistleblowing intent than with actual whistleblowing. Retaliation might best be predicted using contextual variables. Implications for research and practice are discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Management & Marketing, University of North Carolina at Wilmington, 601 South College Road, Wilmington, NC, 28403, U.S.A

    Jessica R. Mesmer-Magnus

  2. Department of Psychology, Florida International University, University Park Campus, 11200 SW 8th Street, Miami, FL, 33199, U.S.A

    Chockalingam Viswesvaran

Authors
  1. Jessica R. Mesmer-Magnus
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  2. Chockalingam Viswesvaran
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Correspondence to Jessica R. Mesmer-Magnus.

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Mesmer-Magnus, J.R., Viswesvaran, C. Whistleblowing in Organizations: An Examination of Correlates of Whistleblowing Intentions, Actions, and Retaliation. J Bus Ethics 62, 277–297 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-005-0849-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-005-0849-1

Keywords

  • retaliation
  • retaliatory acts
  • organizational wrongdoing
  • organizational justice
  • whistleblowing
  • whistleblower characteristics
  • whistleblowing intentions