NAFTA Students’ Whistle-Blowing Perceptions: A Case of Sexual Harassment

Lucia Peek, Maria Roxas, George Peek, Yves Robichaud, Blanca E. Covarrubias Salazar, Jose N. Barragan Codina

Journal of Business Ethics · 2007 · Volume 74 · Issue 3

Abstract

Business students from the three NAFTA countries were shown a possible Sexual Harassment scenario from Arthur Andersen’s Business Ethics Program. They were asked to respond to a pre-questionnaire concerning the three characters’ behaviors and possible actions and a post-questionnaire after writing a report from the points of view of the three characters in the scenario. The students were asked to consider whether the characters should report the possible harasser to their supervisor, and thus engage in whistle-blowing behavior, as well as directly confront the harasser. Hypotheses are formulated for the three NAFTA countries based on Hofstede’s cultural dimensions. There were significant differences, but in some cases not in the direction expected. Gender differences are also explored, but there were few significant differences.

Keywords

cultural dimensions, NAFTA, sexual harassment, whistle-blowing

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