Do Trustful Leadership, Organizational Justice, and Motivation Influence Whistle-Blowing Intention? Evidence From Federal Employees

Organizational and societal mechanisms that ensure whistle-blowing in the public sector are required. Although many studies have explored a set of whistle-blowing determinants, few have explored the relationship and role of individual and attitudinal factors in influencing whistle-blowing in the public sector. To close this gap, this study considers the theoretical lenses of social exchange and self-determination theories, proposing that trustful leadership and organizational justice are the most likely factors to predict whistle-blowing intention when it is mediated by public service motivation (PSM) and extrinsic motivation. Using the Merit Principles Survey 2010 by the U.S. Merit Systems Protection Board, the study tests a partial mediation model employing structural equation modeling. The results suggest that PSM and extrinsic motivation partially mediate the relationship of trust in leadership and organizational justice and whistle-blowing intention. Finally, the study's limitations and theoretical, empirical, and practical implications, as well as directions for future research, are discussed.