Blowing the whistle on workplace corruption: the role of ethical leadership
International Journal of Law and Management
ISSN: 1754-243X
Article publication date: 31 March 2020
Issue publication date: 15 May 2020
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to provide a structural model of the role of ethical leadership on intent to whistle blow workplace corruption using the theory of planned behaviors.
Design/methodology/approach
The study used a mixed method, sequential design. Interviews were conducted in the first phase to identify corrupt practices and validate the salience of the variables in the study. The second phase administered surveys to test the hypotheses of the study. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was done to analyze structural relationships among variables.
Findings
SEM results showed an adequately fit model, indicating ethical leadership predicting organizational norms and controls. It also found that ethical leadership has indirect effect toward employees’ attitude toward corruption through organizational norms and control. Furthermore, ethical leadership also has indirect effect on intent to whistle blow through organizational controls.
Research limitations/implications
This study was conducted in the Philippines, a high-power distance culture. In such a culture, the influence of leadership is crucial, as it dictates standard behaviors of members and the organization as a whole. Future research may wish to explore whether the findings would also apply in low-power distance cultures.
Practical implications
The finding suggests that ethical leadership is crucial in shaping organizational norms and controls, which in turn, influences employees’ attitude toward corruption and their intention to whistle blow.
Originality/value
The study contributes to corruption literature by providing empirical evidence of the structure model how the role of ethical leadership shapes organizational norms and controls that, in turn, influences employee attitude toward corruption and intent to whistle blow.
Keywords
Citation
Hechanova, M.R.M. and Manaois, J.O. (2020), "Blowing the whistle on workplace corruption: the role of ethical leadership", International Journal of Law and Management, Vol. 62 No. 3, pp. 277-294. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJLMA-02-2019-0038
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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