An Investigation on Factors Which Influence Whistleblowing Intention among Employees in Malaysia’s Financial Institutions: the Mediating Role of Moral Identity

Arupathamani, Stephanie (2023) An Investigation on Factors Which Influence Whistleblowing Intention among Employees in Malaysia’s Financial Institutions: the Mediating Role of Moral Identity. Masters thesis, Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology.

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Abstract

Whistleblowing is an essential tool in exposing wrongdoings and ending corruption, however it can be an arduous and unforgiving task that few are willing to accept. It is critical that Malaysia's anti-corruption laws are constantly updated, improved, and reformed as part of ongoing efforts and measures to combat corruption. However, corruption issues continue to be a major focus in Malaysia's mainstream media. This study intends to examine the effect of whistleblowing education, virtuous leadership, and personal cost of reporting on the employees’ whistleblowing intention and how moral identity mediated these relationships. To achieve the objectives of this research, a quantitative approach and a cross-sectional method have been employed using 271 employees who are currently working in Malaysian financial institutions. The data obtained are then analysed via Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and Partial Least Square – Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM, namely SmartPLS). The findings exhibited that moral identity mediates the relationship between virtuous leadership and whistleblowing intention. It sheds light on how a virtuous leader could be able to bring about change in Malaysia despite all the catastrophic national cultures that suffuse the nation. From a practical point of view, the research's findings demonstrates just how important whistleblowing education and virtuous leadership, the cost of reporting wrongdoings as well as enhancing moral identity of the management when accepting whistleblowing reports.