Dr. Sunday Owhorji

Department of Business Administration, Faculty of Administration and Management, Rivers State University.Nkpolu-Oroworukwo Port Harcourt

DOI : https://doi.org/10.58806/ijsshmr.2026.v5i5n14

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ABSTRACT

This study examined the relationship between ethical climate and whistleblowing intention in food and beverage firms operating in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. The study specifically focused on two core dimensions of ethical climate rules and code ethical climate and caring ethical climate to determine their influence on employees’ intention to report unethical practices. A quantitative research design employing a cross-sectional survey approach was adopted. Data were collected from a sample of 156 employees of selected food and beverage firms using a structured questionnaire developed from validated ethical climate and whistleblowing intention scales. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and regression analysis with SPSS. The findings revealed that rules and code ethical climate had a positive and statistically significant relationship with whistleblowing intention, indicating that clearly defined ethical rules, formal codes of conduct, and established procedures enhance employees’ willingness to report wrongdoing. Similarly, caring ethical climate was found to exert a significant positive influence on whistleblowing intention, suggesting that organizations that emphasize concern for others, fairness, and collective well-being encourage ethical voice behaviors among employees. Overall, the regression results demonstrated that ethical climate is a significant predictor of whistleblowing intention in the food and beverage sector. The study concludes that fostering a strong ethical climate through enforceable rules, ethical codes, and a culture of care can enhance whistleblowing intention and reduce unethical practices within organizations. The study recommends that management should strengthen ethical policies, promote ethical leadership, and provide protective mechanisms that support employees who report unethical conduct.

KEYWORDS:

Ethical Climate, Rules and Code Ethical Climate, Caring Ethical Climate, Whistleblowing Intention, Food and Beverage Firms, Port Harcourt.

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Cite this Article:Owhorji, D. S. (2026). Ethical Climate and Whistleblowing Intention in Food and Beverage Firms in Port Harcourt. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SOCIAL SCIENCE HUMANITY & MANAGEMENT RESEARCHS, 5(5), 1047-1054. https://doi.org/10.58806/ijsshmr.2026.v5i5n14

VOlUME 05 ISSUE 05 May 2026