A ConceptualFramework of Digital Government for the Success of Whistleblowing in Public Organizations

Abstract

In recent years, there has been an increase in the development and adoption of Digital Government (DGOV) - the use of digital technology to transform public sector organizations and their interaction and engagement with citizens, businesses and each other - as such adoption causes major changes in the overall social, economic and political practice and processes carried out by governments. Whistleblowing (WB) - the disclosure by organization members (former or current) of illegal, immoral, or illegitimate practices under the control of their employers, to persons or organizations that may be able to effect action - is nowadays considered by many organization as the ultimate line of defense for safeguarding the public interest and a successful strategic approach to minimize workplace misconduct. While considerable efforts have been devoted to DGOV and WB separately, research work at the intersection of these two domains is very scarce; hence a systematic DGOV for WB (DGOV4WB) research framework has yet to emerge. This research aims to study the influence of Digital Government on whistleblowing.This study adopted mixed - qualitative and quantitative research methods. Qualitative methods, particularly the explanatory case study, extensive research literature review, policy literature review and whistleblowing legislation review, were used to explore the nature of whistleblowing, to conceptualize the performance measurement framework and the impact of digital technology and digital government on it and to develop Digital Government Innovation cause-effect framework for the whistleblowing domain based on Janowski. The DGOV4WB research framework is validated through the analyses of four case studies of existing DGOV initiatives that transform whistleblowing. Quantitative methods, were also used to develop a successful model of the Ethiopian Digital Government whistleblowing initiatives to assist Ethiopians with more efficient and cost-effective whistleblowing operations. Factors affecting the adoption and effective utilisation of Digital Government whistleblowing initiatives were identified through the literature. Following this, strategies were proposed which led to the development of a framework through TAM model that will assist to increase the adoption and effective use of Digital Government amongst public organizations whistleblowing initiatives in Ethiopia. This model was validated via a survey and analysed with the aid of SPSS software. Data was collected using a survey applied to a sample of 554 citizens (from public organizations) and data analysis involved linear regression statistical technique. The results showed that the core constructs of the TAM have strong influences on user intention towards Digital Government Whistleblowing System - a service that enables employees and third party suppliers to report malpractice, unlawful or unethical behaviour within the workplace. In addition, findings suggest that whistleblowing system quality is a factor that influences their behavior toward the use of Digital Government whistleblowing system in Ethiopia public organizations.This research offers recommendations that will assist the researchers and Ethiopian government /public organizations in resolving the problems in a fight against fraudulent and corruption activities through Digital Government whistleblowing systems