| SPEAKING UP THROUGH WHISTLEBLOWING GERALD VINTEN Issue 24 (Vol. 12 No. 2) pp. 107-125 Whistleblowing - informing on illegal and unethical behaviour � has been present throughout history, but is most likely to surface in individualistic, rather than collectivist, cultures where the expression of conscience is permitted. Individually, those with more highly developed cognitive moral development are more likely to blow the whistle. Organizations which engender commitment are more likely to avoid disruptive whistleblowing through channelling it in ways which harness it for the general benefit of organization, employee and stakeholders. Anthropological observation of organizational workings suggests that the activities which may be the substance of whistleblowing activity are commonplace. It is not surprising that not all will encourage whistleblowing, and their views are outlined, together with a response. Survey evidence indicates that whistleblowers may well be drawn from the ranks of an organization�s most loyal, model and even long-serving employees. The results of a large scale and comprehensive UK survey indicate congruence with the direction of previous accumulated research findings. They also indicate that the nuances of whistleblowing activity are now well recognised, and that whistleblowing is now generally internalised into normal organizational workings, rather than regarded as an aberration. Legislation, public opinion and a shift in attitudes seems to have produced the most supportive environment ever for UK whistleblowers. |