“Ethics Hotlines” in Transnational Companies: A Comparative Study

Abstract

codes of ethics/conduct, compliance, ethics hotlines, transnational companies, value-based approach,

Companies’ Use of Whistle-Blowing to Detect Fraud: An Examination of Corporate Whistle-Blowing Policies

“…Whistle-blowing systems are important because the absence of an effective system minimises the likelihood that an employee will blow the whistle on misconduct (Near and Miceli 1995). Yet, it is evident from prior studies that there are disparities in internal whistle-blowing systems across companies and countries (Calderón-Cuadrado et al 2009;Hassink et al 2007;Weaver et al 1999).…”

Issues of Business Ethics in Domestic and International Businesses: A Critical Study

“…Additionally, the personnel working for an international firm shall be stimulated and authorized to take any action when witnessed an action against ethical values. This trend in an international business would inspire confidence in the public and make the institution a trustworthy one (Burnaz et al, 2009;Choi et al, 2010;Calderon-Cuadrado et al, 2009). …”

Reformed National Security Internal Whistleblowing Systems and External Whistleblowing as Countervailing Ethics Methods

“…Brown (2008) considered how public sector organizations could better manage internal whistleblowing cases within their internal systems. Calderon-Cuadrado, Alvarez-Arce, Rodriguez-Tejedo, and Salvatierra (2009) did a comparative study of different types of internal whistleblowing hotlines in transnational companies. Kohn (2011) developed a “Whistleblower’s Handbook” with detailed analyses and suggestions about how to do internal and external whistleblowing effectively, and how to protect oneself from organizational retaliation.…”

“…In many corporate environments where there is decentralized organization, individual managers and even employees have the opportunity to appeal classification decisions (Aubert, Rey, & Kovacic, 2006; Barrett, 2012; Nielsen, 1996; Tsahuridu & Vandekerckhove, 2008). For example, within the Federal Express Employee Board system and many other employee voice and “Ethics Hotline” systems, it is normal for employees and managers to have the opportunity to appeal classification rules (Calderon-Cuadrado et al, 2009; Nielsen, 1996; Wilkinson & Fay, 2011). If it was permitted to appeal a classification in a national security internal whistleblowing system, this could have several beneficial effects.…”

“…For reasons similar to why there are lifetime appointments of judges, tenured professors in universities, “just cause” protections within public administration, and ombudsmen in corporate and public administration environments, such job security can give the people charged with addressing controversial and politically charged ethics and legal issues the independence to address abuses of power. Also, it is quite common in many corporate environments for “Ethics Hotline” systems to be administered by outside organizations (Calderon-Cuadrado et al, 2009). It would also give IGs the job security to challenge excess security classifications (Barrett, 2012; Brown, 2008; Dasgupta & Kesharwani, 2010).…”