Sociocultural dynamics in whistleblowing: insights from India
Asia-Pacific Journal of Business Administration
ISSN: 1757-4323
Article publication date: 6 June 2016
Abstract
Purpose
Through state-of-the-art insights on whistleblowing in India, the purpose of this paper is to highlight the role of sociocultural dynamics in whistleblowing.
Design/methodology/approach
A review of literature on wrongdoing and whistleblowing in India revealed various aspects of the national context pertinent to different stages of the phenomenon. Thematic analysis of these dimensions, allowing for a nomothetic approach, resulted in identifying six sociocultural themes common across wrongdoing and whistleblowing.
Findings
Sociocultural dynamics impacting the emergence, persistence and recognition of wrongdoing, the decision to blow the whistle, engagement in whistleblowing and the outcomes of whistleblowing encompass social relationships, power distribution, materialistic considerations, sense of propriety and fairness, public/civic orientation and ideological leanings. These factors coexist with international influences, institutional framework, workplace ethos and individual orientation. The presence of wrongdoing and the trajectory of whistleblowing in India are affected by the aforementioned factors.
Research limitations/implications
The paper is based on secondary data rather than empirical endeavours.
Social implications
By underscoring the relevance of contextual dynamics, in particular sociocultural factors, in the whistleblowing process, the paper indicates an important basis for appropriate interventions to manage wrongdoing and encourage whistleblowing while protecting whistleblowers and ensuring attention to rectifying wrongdoing and sanctioning offenders.
Originality/value
Apart from providing a contemporary and comprehensive overview of whistleblowing in India, the paper uncovers the significance of sociocultural factors which have been overlooked so far in the substantive area. Moreover, a contextualised process model of whistleblowing is proposed based on the analysis. In subsuming temporality, context and outcomes for all stakeholders, the model displays complexity and causality, emphasising holism.
Keywords
Citation
D'Cruz, P. and Bjørkelo, B. (2016), "Sociocultural dynamics in whistleblowing: insights from India", Asia-Pacific Journal of Business Administration, Vol. 8 No. 2, pp. 143-162. https://doi.org/10.1108/APJBA-07-2015-0061
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2016, Emerald Group Publishing Limited