Whistleblowing and the Sociological Imagination - Hardcover

by Tina Uys (Author)

Back Jacket

This authoritative book explores cases of whistleblowing from around the world, with a focus on cases in South Africa. Whistleblowing is a vital tool in the fight against corruption and other forms of organizational wrongdoing. The author develops a sociology of whistleblowing by employing C. Wright Mills' concept of the sociological imagination that examines the private troubles and public issues related to whistleblowing. Organizational wrongdoing is a public issue that the whistleblower tries to expose so that it can be corrected and whistleblowing also is a personal trouble that can have devastating consequences for the whistleblower and his/her family, friends, and colleagues. After analyzing whistleblowing in terms of the personal troubles and public issues, this engrossing book considers ways in which whistleblowers and organizations could be supported to promote the public interest while mitigating the possible negative consequences for whistleblowers, organizations and our societies. This book is a must read for policymakers, researchers, whistleblowers and those who are interested in a just society.

Author Biography

Tina Uys is Professor of Sociology at the University of Johannesburg, South Africa. She is a certified clinical sociologist (C.C.S.) who focuses on advancing our understanding of whistleblowing and putting appropriate national and organizational policies and procedures in place to support whistleblowers and encourage organizational excellence. Her previous positions include Vice-President of the International Sociological Association (ISA), President of ISA's clinical sociology division and President of the South African Sociological Association. She was a Fulbright Scholar in the United States at George Washington University in Washington, DC, and the University of Cincinnati. The South African National Research Foundation rates her as an Internationally Acclaimed Researcher.