Silencing a Whistleblower: A Story of Hypocrisy

Insufficient policies can lead to the alleged abuse of power in organizations, as illustrated by a case study on Transparency International (TI). The book chronicles TI's ethical breakdown over a 5-year period, comparing its whistleblower policies with its internal whistleblower practices. The author demonstrates how ethical weaknesses can create a snowball effect and the emotional warfare whistleblowers face.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 293 pages
Publication date: 28 September 2021
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

This comprehensive book delves into the intricate dynamics of power abuse within organizations, shedding light on the consequences of inadequate policies. When independent ethical frameworks and processes fail to thrive, the risk of abuse, misconduct, and cover-ups escalates significantly at the leadership level. Even organizations renowned for their commitment to good governance are not immune to such challenges, as evidenced by a case study examining Transparency International (TI), arguably the world's most influential anti-corruption NGO. Authored by the former Managing Director of Transparency International, this book offers a poignant account of the organization's ethical collapse over a five-year period, commencing in 2015. By comparing TI's whistleblower policies with its internal whistleblower practices, the author highlights how the organization gradually entangled itself in a vicious cycle of secrecy, corruption, and deceit.

The author meticulously chronicles TI's practices, drawing upon 12 whistleblower complaints filed with TI since 2017, as well as extensive communications with TI, international donor agencies, and other international civil society organizations from 2015 to 2020. The chronological format effectively portrays the snowball effect of ethical weaknesses, as well as the emotional toll endured by whistleblowers. Moreover, the unfolding chronology underscores the profound implications of being a whistleblower within an organization that shuns public transparency, withholding reporting on, and scrutiny of its own practices.

This book serves as a crucial reminder of the importance of robust ethical frameworks and processes within organizations. It underscores the devastating consequences of neglecting these essential components, emphasizing the need for transparency, accountability, and the protection of whistleblowers. By shedding light on the ethical breakdown of Transparency International, this book contributes to a broader understanding of the challenges faced by organizations in maintaining integrity and upholding the public trust.

Weight: 514g
Dimension: 156 x 235 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030765392
Edition number: 1st ed. 2021