Blowing the Whistle Against Greek Hazing: The Theory of Reasoned Action as a Framework for Reporting Intentions

The Theory of Planned Behaviour as a Framework for Whistle-Blowing Intentions

“…Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) proposes that behavioural intention is the most significant predictor of human behaviour . TPB has been utilised to study behavioural intention in a wide variety of disciplines including accounting (Ab Ghani, 2013), consumer behaviour (Sheeran, 2002;Sheppard et al, 1988), health issues (Fishbein, 1996), business ethics (Richardson et al, 2012) and education (Zakaria et al, 2012;Zhang, 2007;Cohen & Hanno, 1993). TPB postulates that the intention to perform a behaviour is a function of three factors: attitude toward the behaviour, subjective norms, and perceived behavioural control .…”

“…Alternatively, external whistle-blowing refers to reporting of wrongdoings to audiences outside of the institution. In general, employees tend to blow the whistle internally instead of externally as the former is less risky for them (Richardson et al, 2012;Miceli & Near, 2005;Miceli et al, 2008;Rothschild & Miethe, 1999) and also less detrimental to the institution (Hassink et al, 2007). However, blowing the whistle on wrongdoings within an organization is not a widely accepted behaviour (Richardson et al, 2012) because the management may not like employees to disclose the incriminated information.…”

“…Many empirical studies support attitude as the determinant factor of whistle-blowing intention (Ab Ghani, 2013;Richardson et al, 2012;Park & Blekinsopp, 2009;Ellis & Arieli, 1999;Sims & Keenan, 1998). Ab Ghani (2013) used TPB as an underpinning theory and examined the influence of attitude on whistle-blowing intentions of 311 supervisors in Malaysian manufacturing public listed companies.…”

“…Using Sequential Equation Model (SEM) with AMOS approach, he supported the theory and indicated a positive relationship between attitude and whistle-blowing intentions. Richardson et al (2012) adopted TRA as a framework to investigate blowing the whistle against Greek Hazing among 259 respondents. They analysed the data using SEM with LISREL approach and found that the model was a sound framework for predicting whistle-blowing intentions as attitude positively influenced whistle blowing intentions.…”

“…However, most of these studies failed to produce a finite set of variables to predict whistle-blowing intentions (Sim & Keenan, 1998). Nevertheless, several prior studies (Ab Ghani, 2013;Richardson et al, 2012;Park & Blenkinsopp, 2009;Zhang, 2007;Ellis & Ariel, 1999) applied the Theory of Planned Behaviour of Azjen and Fishbein (1991) as the model in predicting whistle-blowing intention and found its propositions as a sound and success framework.…”