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Resistance Will Be Futile? The Stigmatization (or Not) of Whistleblowers

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  • Meghan Portfliet

    (National University of Ireland Galway)

Abstract

Does speaking up ruin one’s life? Organizational and whistleblowing research largely accept that “whistleblower” is a negative label that effects one’s well-being. Whistleblowing research also emphasizes the drawn-out process of speaking up. The result is a narrative of the whistleblower as someone who suffers indefinitely. In this paper, I draw on theories of stigma, labelling, and identity, specifically stigmatized identity, to provide a more nuanced understanding of whistleblower stigma as relational and temporary. I analyse two cases of whistleblowing, one where the label “whistleblower” was accepted, and one where it was eventually rejected. By comparing how the whistleblower responds to stigmatizing and non-stigmatizing others, I explore how whistleblower stigmatization emerges, or does not, in interactions. This paper makes two important contributions. First, I add to the growing research on whistleblower stigmatization a more nuanced and developed framework: one that sees the interaction between whistleblowers and others as relational. Second, I provide an understanding of the identity “whistleblower” as one that can be temporary and revisable. Research has highlighted how whistleblowing is a process, but little attention has been paid to how one “moves on” from being a whistleblower and the potential stigmatization associated with the role. Rather than assuming a whistleblower is stuck with this identity—and the associated stigma—for life, I provide insight on how “whistleblower” can be a positive label that opens one up to support, and even when it is stigmatized, it does not have to be an end state.

Suggested Citation

  • Meghan Portfliet, 2022. "Resistance Will Be Futile? The Stigmatization (or Not) of Whistleblowers," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 175(3), pages 451-464, January.
  • Handle: RePEc:kap:jbuset:v:175:y:2022:i:3:d:10.1007_s10551-020-04673-4
    DOI: 10.1007/s10551-020-04673-4
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Near, Janet P. & Miceli, Marcia P., 2016. "After the wrongdoing: What managers should know about whistleblowing," Business Horizons, Elsevier, vol. 59(1), pages 105-114.
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    3. Warren, Danielle E., 2007. "Corporate Scandals and Spoiled Identities: How Organizations Shift Stigma to Employees," Business Ethics Quarterly, Cambridge University Press, vol. 17(3), pages 477-496, July.
    4. Michael T. Rehg & Marcia P. Miceli & Janet P. Near & James R. Van Scotter, 2008. "Antecedents and Outcomes of Retaliation Against Whistleblowers: Gender Differences and Power Relationships," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 19(2), pages 221-240, April.
    5. Barbara Culiberg & Katarina Katja Mihelič, 2017. "The Evolution of Whistleblowing Studies: A Critical Review and Research Agenda," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 146(4), pages 787-803, December.
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