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Sundstrand: A Case Study in Transformation of Cultural Ethics

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Abstract

This analysis examines whistleblowing within the context of organizational culture. Several factors which have provided impetus for organizations to emphasize ethical conduct and to encourage internal, rather than external, whistleblowing are identified. Inadequate protection for whistleblowers and statutory enticement for them to report ethical violations externally are discussed. Sundstrand's successful model for cultural change and encouragement of internal whistleblowing is analyzed to show how their model of demonstrating management's commitment to ethical conduct, establishing ethical expectations of employees, training to ensure that employees understand the concepts and expectations, promoting of employee ownership of the program, making the program visible, protecting the whistleblower and undertaking periodic reviews of the program's success may serve as a model for other organizations.

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Authors
  1. James A. Benson
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  2. David L. Ross
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Benson, J.A., Ross, D.L. Sundstrand: A Case Study in Transformation of Cultural Ethics. Journal of Business Ethics 17, 1517–1527 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1005753127892

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