In recent times, whistleblowing has faced heightened scrutiny from both managerial and regulatory bodies. In response to global anti-corruption initiatives, regulators have implemented legal protection schemes for whistleblowers, compelling organizations to establish comprehensive whistleblowing systems and policies. While research on the regulation and management of whistleblowing thrives from a pragmatic-functional perspective, critical or political viewpoints are notably scarce in the field of Management and Organization Studies (MOS).
To offer a fresh perspective on the management and regulation of whistleblowing, this dissertation project employs the lens of problematization to illuminate the exercise of power and government. Through three inquiries, the project reveals how the discourse and practice of (1) whistleblowing research, (2) anti-corruption efforts, and (3) legal whistleblower protection schemes shape the practice of whistleblowing and the character of the whistleblower.
The inquiries into management and regulation unveil how whistleblowers act as 'internal antennae,' ensuring organizational compliance, serving as a 'change agent' with anti-corruption initiatives, while also functioning as 'informants,' reporting law breaches. Rather than stifling whistleblowing, the studied accounts mobilize it as a strategic solution to both managerial and governmental ‘problems’. Consequently, the findings indicate a significant shift in how regulators and managers approach whistleblowing, transitioning from resistance to assisting established power relations.
These findings underscore the increasing integration of whistleblowing into broader practices and processes of governmentalization. Drawing on Foucault’s concept of governmentality, these insights emphasize the expansion of political power through the spheres of management and regulation deep into the social nexus. Furthermore, they highlight the significance of studying and applying the concept of problematization to understand the exercise of power and governance in management and regulation. This contribution reinforces the ongoing incorporation of Foucauldian perspectives in MOS.