1.1 Introduction
A whistleblower management system is an application software that organizes and manages the perceived mal-administration report of an individuals working within an organization for necessary action to be effected. The recipient of the information must therefore be in a position to possibly take action against the reported instance of maladministration. Similarly, whistle blowing systems as internal company instruments for prevention and detection of compliance violations are increasingly recommended both in academic and practical literature. One of the barriers preventing potential whistleblowers from reporting perceived misconduct is the fear of personal and professional disadvantages (Lowry, Moody, Galletta, & Vance, 2013). Therefore, it is essential for organizations to concept and design internal whistle blowing systems considering this aspect. Internal whistle blowing channels are designed to receive reports of alleged illegal, immoral, or illegitimate practices within the organization, whereby employers retain control over the information received.
As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Limitations of the Study and Definition of technical terms.
1.2 Background of Study
The Federal Government of Nigeria has taken a major step by initiating a whistle-blower policy. The Whistle Blower Policy was approved by the Federal Executive Council in December 2016. The policy was created by the Federal Ministry of Finance for whistle-blowers; the goal of the policy is to support the fight against financial crimes and corruption, by increasing exposure of financial crimes and rewarding whistle-blowers. In order to promote such exposure, whistle-blowers are encouraged and offered protection from harassment or intimidation from reported persons and Government organizations.
Education on whistle blowing can be treated as one type of organizational support. However, it is differentiated from organizational support and protection in that it may directly affect whistle blowing intention rather than influence it by decreasing perceived personal costs. That is, learning how to report wrongdoing may not decrease perceived personal costs because the education itself does not reduce the risks associated with reporting wrongdoing (Bhal & Dadhich, 2011). However, it provides a roadmap of how to blow the whistle when one observes wrongdoing. When employees know what options are available and feasible, that knowledge will help them to make the decision to blow the whistle (Berry, 2004). Dissatisfied employees adopt voice when they decide to stay in the organization and seek to improve current conditions (Zhou & Gorge, 2001). Voice and whistle blowing are similar in that both provoke organizations to correct existing problems and make improvements. However, whistle blowing is differentiated from voice in that voice is not limited to wrongdoing and employees who use voice are not afraid of revealing their identities (Miceli & Near, 2013).
One can find numerous studies on whistle blowing, in which scholars have paid attention to what factors lead to whistle blowing. From a theoretical perspective, Keli et al. (2010) employed the logic of cost-benefit analysis and argued that the individual’s calculation of costs and benefits affects whistle blowing intention. Adopting theory of organizational justice, Seifert et al. (2010) maintained that whistle blowing policies incorporating organizational justice enhance the intention for whistle blowing. Gundlach et al. (2003) introduced a social information-processing model, which explains how the decision to whistle blow is affected by employees’ attribution and responsibility judgments for wrongdoing.
1.3 Statement of Problem
Investigation revealed that information provision by insiders plays a critical role in resolving corruption issues because it is often difficult to detect structural problems from outside the organization. Information about wrongdoing without great efforts cannot be accessed by whistle blowers without stress (Burke & Cooper, 2013). Nigeria scored 28 points out of 100 on the 2016 Corruption Perceptions Index reported by Transparency International.
Corruption Index in Nigeria averaged 20.17 Points from 1996 until 2016, reaching an all-time high of 28 Points in 2016 and a record low of 6.90 Points in 1996, with a high rate of corruption both in the Public and Private sector in Nigeria, there is a need to build a platform to enable reporting of mismanagement of public funds and financial malpractice as well as encourage compliance with financial regulations through the Federal Ministry of Finance (FMF).
1.4 Aim and Objectives of the Study
The aim of the study is to design and implement an Online Government Whistle Blower Management System. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows to develop an application software that will:
- Create and publicize the Whistle blowing Policy of the Federal Government;
- Fully automated database system for further investigation of charges reported;
- Decrease Corruption among Public and Private Government workers;
- Increase and Culture fear into governments workers for fear of being reported;
- Encourages Reporting Stolen Government Funds and Properties; and
- Provides authentic, qualitative and comprehensive data gotten from the whistle blower to charge reporter persons’ to court.
1.5 Significance of Study
The relevance of whistle blowing will aid in reducing corrupt practices by public office holders. The proposed system will facilitate disclosure of information places significant pressure on would be whistle blowers hence deters them from blowing the whistle on corruption cases when they come across one is in line with the revelations made through interviews.
This research work will provide a Whistle Blower Management System capable of allowing the general public to report any misconduct, thief of government property or inappropriate use of public funds and any form of corruption. It will also aid proper storage and maintenance of reported government officials to face charges based on the crime committed.
This study will be of immense benefit to other researchers who intend to know more on this study and can also be used by non-researchers to build more on their research work. This study contributes to knowledge and could serve as a guide for other study.
1.6 Scope of Study
The scope of the research is focused on the Design and Implementation of an Online Government Whistle Blower Management System.
1.7 Limitations of the Study
During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:
- Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
- Establishment Policies: Establishment policies posed a serious limitation as most staffs are not ready to release information needed for this project work. There were lots of information needed from the staffs of this institution to enhance the study which took them time to release or they did not release at all for security purposes, hence the scope was reduced.
- Research material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
- Frequent power failure: This made the researcher append more money on fuel to ensure sustainable power.
- Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet).
1.8 Definition of Terms
Financial Crimes: are crimes against property, involving the unlawful conversion of the ownership of property (belonging to one person) to one's own personal use and benefit.
Corruption: Corruption is a form of dishonest or unethical conduct by a person entrusted with a position of authority, often to acquire personal benefit. Corruption may include many activities including bribery and embezzlement.
