Whistleblowing and the Sociological Imagination

This authoritative book explores cases of whistleblowing from around the world, with a focus on cases in South Africa. Whistleblowing is a vital tool in the fight against corruption and other forms of organizational wrongdoing. The author develops a sociology of whistleblowing by employing C. Wright Mills’ concept of the sociological imagination that examines the private troubles and public issues related to whistleblowing. Organizational wrongdoing is a public issue that the whistleblower tries to expose so that it can be corrected and whistleblowing also is a personal trouble that can have devastating consequences for the whistleblower and his/her family, friends, and colleagues. After analyzing whistleblowing in terms of the personal troubles and public issues, this engrossing book considers ways in which whistleblowers and organizations could be supported to promote the public interest while mitigating the possible negative consequences for whistleblowers, organizations and our societies. This book is a must read for policymakers, researchers, whistleblowers and those who are interested in a just society. Contents Chapter 1: Whistleblowing and the Sociological Imagination Introduction The Concept of Whistleblowing How Has Whistleblowing Been Received? Researching Whistleblowing Whistleblowing as a Social Phenomenon Plan of the Book References Chapter 2: What Constitutes Whistleblowing? Introduction Disclosure of Wrongdoing Who Makes the Disclosure? Whether the Disclosure Was Authorized, Unauthorized, or Role-Prescribed Do Whistleblowers Necessarily Suffer Retaliation? Who Is the Recipient of the Disclosure? The Distinction Between Internal, External, and Public Whistleblowing Should the Disclosure Be Made Openly, or Do Anonymous Disclosures Also Qualify as Whistleblowing? Was the Disclosure in the Public Interest? Conclusion References Chapter 3: South African Whistleblowers Introduction Early Whistleblowers Influx Control and the Pass Laws: Adam Klein Exchange Control: Nico Alant Alant and the Reserve Bank Alant and the Financial Services Board (FSB) Alant’s Career After Leaving the World of Financial Regulation The Mpumalanga Driver’s License Scam: John Muller The Road Accident Fund Fraud: Mark Hess The Dog Training Exercise: Andries (Jakes) Jacobs Whistleblowing Following the Promulgation of the Protected Disclosures Act, Nr. 26 of 2000 Pollution by ISCOR: Pieter Van Eeden The Cape Town Street Naming Scandal: Victoria Johnson Nepotism in the Department of Justice: Mike Tshishonga Mpumalanga Matric (Grade 12) Examination Fraud: Vicky Breytenbach Grootvlei Prison: Tatolo Setlai Financial Irregularities at Denel: Keith Grieve Irregular Share Trading at Andisa Securities: Allison Pedzinski Travelgate: Harry Charlton Limpopo Textbook Procurement Irregularities: Solomon (Solly) Tshitangano The “State Capture” Whistleblowers The Trillian Whistleblowers The Gupta Emails: Anonymous Whistleblowers Two Whistleblowers Who Paid with Their Lives Mbombela FIFA World Cup Stadium: Jimmy Mohlala Fraud and Corruption at a Northwest Province Municipality: Moss Phakoe Conclusion References Chapter 4: Voice and Silence: Who Blows the Whistle and Why? Introduction Whistleblowing and Voice The Whistleblowing Process The Prosocial Organizational Behavior (POB) Model of Whistleblowing Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA) Background Factors and Whistleblowing Intentions Recognition of Organizational Wrongdoing Attitude and Behavioral Beliefs Toward Whistleblowing Consequences of Whistleblowing Consequences of Inaction Perceived Norms and Normative Beliefs Perceived Behavioral Control and Control Beliefs Conclusion References Chapter 5: Personal Troubles: The Impact on the Whistleblower Introduction Whistleblowing as a Personal Trouble The Transformative Response to Whistleblowing The Reactionary Response to Whistleblowing Retaliation Against Whistleblowers Work-Related Retaliation Social Retaliation Physical Retaliation The Effects of Retaliation on the Whistleblower Effects on the Whistleblower’s Finances Psychosocial Effects of Whistleblowing Effects on Physical Health Effects on Interpersonal Relations in the Workplace Effect on Relationships with Family and Friends The Whistleblower’s Responses to Retaliation Conclusion References Chapter 6: Public Issues: The Impact on the Organization and the Public Introduction When Is Retaliation Most Likely to Follow a Disclosure? Power Relationships Whistleblower Persistence Whistleblowing Channels Personal Characteristics of the Whistleblower Organizational Characteristics Disclosure Recipients Why Does Retaliation Occur? Whistleblowing as a Threat to Individual Justification Motives Whistleblowing as a Threat to the Organization’s Legitimacy Whistleblowing as a Threat to Collegial Relationships The Effectiveness of Whistleblowing The Power of the Whistleblower Organizational Dependence on Wrongdoers Organizational Dependence on the Wrongdoing Resolving the Paradox of Whistleblowing An Ethics-Oriented Climate Structural Provision for Ethics Management Whistleblowing Procedures Training Ethical Leadership and Whistleblower Support Conclusion References Chapter 7: Protecting Whistleblowers: The Effectiveness of Legislation and Organizational Support Introduction Institutionalizing Whistleblowing Anti-retaliation Legislation Protection Against Victimization What Can Be Disclosed? Who Should Be Protected? When Does a Disclosure Qualify for Protection? How Should Disclosures Be Made and to Whom? What Relief Should a Whistleblower Be Able to Claim, and How Do They Access Relief? Effectiveness of Anti-retaliation Legislation The Structural Model of Whistleblower Protection Internal Reporting Mechanisms Investigation of Disclosures Enforcement Mechanisms Conclusion References Chapter 8: Assisting Whistleblowers in Advancing Social Justice in the Workplace Introduction Whistleblowing and Organizational Justice Procedural Justice Distributive Justice Interactional Justice Clinical Sociology in Pursuit of a Better World in the Workplace Conceptualizing Clinical Sociology Wellbeing and Resilience Interventions Aimed at Promoting Organizational Justice Promoting Organizational Justice Advancing Organizational Justice Through the Organizational Culture Conclusion References References Index