Whistleblowing and silence: temporal dynamics in the Home Bank of Canada

Purpose This study elucidates the intricate interplay and temporal dynamics surrounding the shifts among voice, silence, and exit within a whistleblowing trajectory. It specifically unpacks the transition from internal voice to external whistleblowing by addressing the critical questions of “why”, “how”, and “when”. Thereby, the study offers valuable insights into the temporal evolution of the whistleblowing process, contextualized by the catastrophic bankruptcy of the Home Bank of Canada. Design/methodology/approach The research employs a qualitative methodology to conduct a comprehensive analysis of archival data spanning the entire operational history of the Home Bank. This dataset includes hearings and evidence from Royal Commission reports, as well as newspaper articles, magazine features, and annual reports from the Home Bank (1906–1923). The analysis covers documents from its inception in 1903 to its closure in 1923 and the subsequent bankruptcy period (1923–1925). The study period includes two significant events in 1916 and 1918, during which allied whistleblowers escalated their concerns to external authorities regarding suspected fraudulent activities at the Home Bank. Findings The findings extend the understanding of the temporal dynamics governing the shifts between voice, silence, and exit within whistleblowing trajectories. Furthermore, they reveal how these transitions are shaped by the interplay between altruistic and self-interest discourses, alongside the responses and actions of senior management. This nuanced perspective provides deeper insights into the evolving nature of whistleblowing behavior and its relationship with organizational responses. Originality/value By addressing the “why”, “how”, and “when” of interactions between voice, silence, and exit, the findings offer a more nuanced understanding of whistleblowing dynamics, transcending the limitations of prior “snapshot” analyses. Historicizing the temporality of voicing and whistleblowing as an evolving and dynamic process provides a means to surface the hidden heritage of the past and enables a deeper understanding of the persistent gaps that continue to impede the effectiveness of contemporary whistleblowing mechanisms.