Organisational Loyalty: An Exploratory Study into Employee Intentions to Report Wrongdoing

This thesis explores the factors that influence or hinder employees’ intentions to report organisational wrongdoing. The purpose is to understand whether loyalty to an organisation which often requires conformity, and solidarity limits such intentions when misconduct is perceived. The study adopted multi-level perspectives (individual and group) to understand how they shape people’s perceptions and intentions in a group environment. The study employed a neo-empiricist inductive approach, premised on an objective collection of empirical data through in-depth semi-structured interviews with accountants, auditors, and other business professionals using a purposive sampling technique. The thematic analytic procedure was implemented using the general thematic approach. The analysis of empirical data produced ten main categories grouped into three main themes: antecedent, motivators and demotivators, and mediating variables representing the influencing and constraining factors of whistle-blowing intentions. The main outcome of this study is the development of a model called influencing and constraining factors of whistle-blowing intentions. The model has three elements namely: Antecedent Factors, Motivators and Demotivators, and Mediating Factors. The antecedent factors are precursory but necessary in broad terms to understand how they influence intentions to report organisational wrongdoing. The motivators and demotivators are situational, individual, and group variables that influence or limit individuals’ intentions to raise concerns. The mediating elements are factors that help individuals reconcile conflicting obligations in the workplace that shape their reporting attitude and perception of group loyalty. This study contributes to academic knowledge, literature, and theories in the field of whistleblowing, policies, and governance practices. This has implications for sound ethical culture and governance policies that enhance responsible corporate behaviour in private and public organisations.