A game-theoretic analysis of whistleblowing: competitive and cooperative models

This paper presents an analysis of whistleblowing through game theory, examining the strategic dynamics between whistleblowers, organizations, and other stakeholders. We develop both competitive and cooperative models, demonstrating how institutional trust and incentive structures influence whistleblowing behaviors. Using the Shapley power index, we quantify the marginal contribution of each actor in determining system equilibria and the effectiveness of reporting mechanisms. Our results highlight that whistleblower protection represents not only an ethical-legal imperative but also an optimal strategy for maximizing collective welfare within organizations. Finally, we propose a formal ”trust management” model that predicts conditions under which whistleblowing emerges as a stable equilibrium in organizational contexts.