Staging Debates in Whistleblowing Research: A Problematizing Literature Review

Abstract

This literature review draws on Foucault’s concept of problematization to examine how academic discourse “stages” debates on whistleblowing. By staging these debates, different streams of literature assign distinct roles and “scripts” to whistleblowing, shaping the practice of whistleblowing and the subjectivity of the whistleblower. Each stream produces a unique “piece” of whistleblowing—ranging from calculable organizational mechanisms to governance tools, legal regulations, and disruptive acts of ethical resistance. The discussion sheds light on how these pieces are performed in organizational settings, regulatory frameworks, and social contexts, demonstrating how governing takes place through problematization. The conclusion advocates for a transformative understanding of whistleblowing as a critical practice that challenges norms and fosters systemic change.