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The Power of One: Dissent and Organizational Life

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  • Nasrin Shahinpoor
  • Bernard Matt

Abstract

Over the last 20 years, organizations have attempted numerous innovations to create more openness and to increase ethical practice. However, adult students in business classes report that managers are generally bureaucratically oriented and averse to constructive criticism or principled dissent. When organizations oppose dissent, they suffer the consequences of mistakes that could be prevented and they create an unethical and toxic environment for individual employees. By distinguishing principled dissent from other forms of criticism and opposition, managers and leaders can perceive the dissenter as an important organizational voice and a valued employee. The dissenter, like the whistleblower, is often highly ethically motivated and desires to contribute to the organization’s wellbeing. Recognizing and protecting principled dissent provides the means of transforming organizations. By restoring dignity to the individual, organizations gain more productive and loyal employees, and they create an environment that promotes critical thinking, learning, and a commitment to ethics. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media, Inc. 2007

Suggested Citation

  • Nasrin Shahinpoor & Bernard Matt, 2007. "The Power of One: Dissent and Organizational Life," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 74(1), pages 37-48, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jbuset:v:74:y:2007:i:1:p:37-48
    DOI: 10.1007/s10551-006-9218-y
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Goodstein, Jerry D., 2000. "Moral Compromise and Personal Integrity: Exploring the Ethical Issues of Deciding Together in Organizations," Business Ethics Quarterly, Cambridge University Press, vol. 10(4), pages 805-819, October.
    2. Schwartz, Howard S., 1991. "Narcissism Project and Corporate Decay: The Case of General Motors," Business Ethics Quarterly, Cambridge University Press, vol. 1(3), pages 249-268, July.
    3. Mele, Domènec, 2001. "Loyalty in Business: Subversive Doctrine or Real Need?," Business Ethics Quarterly, Cambridge University Press, vol. 11(1), pages 11-26, January.
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    Cited by:

    1. Johnson, Jeff S., 2023. "How business-to-business salespeople deal with buying center dissenters," International Journal of Research in Marketing, Elsevier, vol. 40(3), pages 590-608.
    2. Merve Kocoglu Sazkaya & Eray Tugrul, 2022. "The Moderating Role of Perceived Supervisor Support on the Relationship Between Organizational Dissent and Intention to Leave," Istanbul Management Journal, Istanbul University Business School, vol. 0(93), pages 21-37, December.
    3. Dilek Zamantılı Nayır & Michael T. Rehg & Yurdanur Asa, 2018. "Influence of Ethical Position on Whistleblowing Behaviour: Do Preferred Channels in Private and Public Sectors Differ?," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 149(1), pages 147-167, April.
    4. Montgomery Van Wart, 2014. "Contemporary Varieties of Ethical Leadership in Organizations," International Journal of Business Administration, International Journal of Business Administration, Sciedu Press, vol. 5(5), pages 27-45, September.
    5. N Dorasamy, 2012. "Institutionalising a Whistle blowing Culture within Higher Education Institutions: Policy and Procedure Underpinning Good Governance at the Durban University of Technology," Journal of Economics and Behavioral Studies, AMH International, vol. 4(9), pages 505-514.
    6. Eray Tugrul & Merve Kocoglu Sazkaya, 2021. "An Investigation of the Effects of Organizational Dissent on Intention to Leave: A Study within the Automotive Sector," Journal of Social Policy Conferences, Istanbul University, Faculty of Economics, vol. 0(81), pages 101-126, December.
    7. Paul Bierly & Robert Kolodinsky & Brian Charette, 2009. "Understanding the Complex Relationship Between Creativity and Ethical Ideologies," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 86(1), pages 101-112, April.
    8. Khumalo Shuti Steph, 2024. "Forms, Practices and Ramifications of Abusive Supervision in Universities: A Social Justice Scrutiny," HOLISTICA – Journal of Business and Public Administration, Sciendo, vol. 15(1), pages 107-118.
    9. Kylie C. Rochford & Anthony I. Jack & Richard E. Boyatzis & Shannon E. French, 2017. "Ethical Leadership as a Balance Between Opposing Neural Networks," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 144(4), pages 755-770, September.
    10. Muhammad Hariz Hamid & Zaleha Othman, 2015. "Whistleblowing and Voicing Dissent in Organizations," International Journal of Management Sciences, Research Academy of Social Sciences, vol. 6(1), pages 8-15.
    11. Aziz Gokhan Ozkoc & Tugba Bektas, 2016. "Organizational Support and Self-Efficacy as the Predictors of Dissenter Behavior among Hotel Employees," International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, Human Resource Management Academic Research Society, International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, vol. 6(5), pages 285-305, May.

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