Identifying and classifying the methods of supporting the whistleblowers of administrative corruption in Iran (using thematic analysis)

Disclosure of corruption plays an important role in facilitating the process of fighting corruption and realizing administrative health. Considering the hidden layers of corruption, disclosure of corruption is an important mechanism for reporting illegal behavior or violations to the organization's management, authorities and the general public. Exposing corruption can also have harmful consequences for whistleblowers. For this reason, disclosure of corruption and whistleblowers in developed countries are considered and protected by the law. In Iran, various steps have been taken to support corruption whistleblowers. But these measures are scattered and inconsistent. The current research seeks to identify and categorize the methods of supporting corruption whistleblowers in order to provide a comprehensive view to the legislators and policy makers in the field of anti-corruption.

To achieve this goal, thematic analysis method has been used. The research data includes reports and interviews published by academic experts and executive authorities, as well as related researches that have been collected by documentary method. The sampling method is purposive sampling, which is continued until reaching theoretical saturation.

The findings of the research include different concepts, each concept represents a way to support whistleblowers. These strategies are organized based on conceptual affinity in five main themes of legal support, security support, financial support, administrative support and social support.

Supporting corruption whistleblowers requires a set of different legal solutions, security support, financial support, administrative support and social support, which should be used in the amendment and completion of existing laws in Iran.