Psychological and Hierarchical Closeness as Opposing Factors in Whistleblowing: A Meta-Analysis

Abstract Although employees are an important means of detecting and preventing misconducts through whistleblowing, many witnesses choose to remain silent. One reason silent is the discomfort reporting a colleague. Intuitively, should be less likely report close or trusted colleague, but previous review suggests that opposite may actually true. However, later studies have shown mixed effects social closeness on whistleblowing. To gain better understanding how affects we meta-analyzed 22 experimental intentions blow whistle. Overall, show no effect whistleblowing intentions, d = ? 0.21, p .05. when separating by type closeness, find psychological has negative effect, 0.46, < .001, while hierarchical positive .34, .001 intentions. This most misconduct if perpetrator at same level in organization not friend. Since bonds more develop between level, two types counteract each other. dilemma could part explanation why so