Factors influencing whistleblowing intentions among government officials: A Malaysian study

Abstract

The aim of this study is to determine the factors that influence the intention of officials in the ministries of the Malaysian Federal Government to engage in whistleblowing. Specifically, this study investigates whether individual belief, societal pressure, level of misconduct, and the status of the perpetrator can influence government officials in whistleblowing. Data from 147 officials is collected by questionnaire and analyzed using Statistical Packages for Social Science (SPSS) version 28. Empirically, this study shows that two factors, namely, societal pressure and the level of misconduct, significantly influence the intention of government officials to engage in whistleblowing, but not the individual belief and status of the perpetrator. The results of this study suggest that the government can support government officials to increase their awareness of whistleblowing so that they fully understand the importance of whistleblowing to the government and society. This can be done through training programmes for government officials. This study can help the government identify the officials' perspectives on whistleblowing intentions and understand the potential issues that may influence the effectiveness or ineffectiveness of whistleblowing in their organisation.