Public Relations and Whistleblowing: Golden Handcuffs in Corporate Wrongdoing

This book explores the relationship between executives' attitudes and behaviors toward their organizations and whistleblowing, shedding light on the prevalence of wrongdoing and the privileges of power in corporations. It proposes a new theory of the "Golden Handcuffs" phenomenon based on evolutionary theory and has implications for companies as public attitudes towards corporations, CSR, and transparency harden.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 244 pages
Publication date: 29 September 2021
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Corporate whistleblowing has garnered increasing attention, yet comprehensive research on public relations practice remains scarce. This book, based on extensive research on Fortune 1000 and Wilshire 5000 corporations, delves into executives' attitudes and relationships within these organizations, shedding light on their impact on whistleblowing. Surprisingly, it emerges that wrongdoing and power privileges coexist within corporations. Top-ranking public relations executives, predominantly white and male, are more aware of misconduct but less likely to blow the whistle, primarily due to their positive relationships with their employers.

Drawing from the framework of evolutionary theory, this study offers an insightful explanation of whistleblowing, retaliation, and relationships. In the context of the correlation between whistleblowing behavior and executives' attitudes, it proposes a novel theory of the phenomenon known as Golden Handcuffs. As public attitudes toward corporations, corporate social responsibility (CSR), and transparency solidify, these findings hold significant implications for companies worldwide. Researchers, scholars, and advanced students in public relations, organizational communication, corporate communication, strategic communication, corporate reputation, and CSR will find this book rich in revealing insights.

Weight: 472g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032005379