Challenges Confronting Whistleblowing and the International Civil Servant. (December 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Moloney, Kim; Bowman, James S.; West, Jonathan P.
• Is Part Of: Review of public personnel administration. Volume 39:Number 4(2019:Dec.)
• Page Start: 611
• Page End: 634
• Publication Date: 2019-12
• Subjects: whistle-blower -- international organizations -- loyalty -- immunity; Civil service -- United States -- Personnel management -- Periodicals; Civil service -- United States -- States -- Personnel management -- Periodicals; 352.6
• DOI: 10.1177/0734371X18767247
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0734-371X

Abstract

More than 800 international governmental organizations employ thousands of civil servants. Whistleblowers in them confront problems that are both common and uncommon compared with their nation-state counterparts. Drawing upon the relevant literature, as well as stakeholder interview data, a research framework is developed identifying whistle-blower challenges. These dilemmas focus on loyalty, impartiality, and immunity, as well as the desire to hold organizations accountable in a governance system lacking in sufficient checks and balances. In addition, significant hurdles confronting whistleblowers include definitions and policies, retaliation and restitution concerns, visa and short-contract constraints, and a resource gap along with judicial composition issues. Future research is needed because international public servants play a significant role in ensuring a transparent and accountable global system.