Kristian Alm

Kristian Alm is an Associate Professor in the Department of Communication and Culture at BI Norwegian Business School, where he has been employed since 2008. His academic career includes positions as Assistant Professor (2006-2008) and Researcher/Senior Lecturer (2005-2008) at the same institution. Prior to his academic career, he served as Editor & Secretary for The Norwegian Government Commission on Human Values (1998-2001) and worked as a Scholarship holder at the University of Oslo (1991-1997).

Alm earned his Ph.D. from the University of Oslo in 1997, following a Master's degree from the same institution in 1986. His educational background in philosophy and ethics has informed his extensive research career focused on organizational ethics and communication.

Professor Alm's research primarily centers on employee freedom of speech, whistleblowing, and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). His work critically examines how organizations handle ethical dilemmas, with particular attention to marginalized voices in business ethics research. Alm has developed theoretical frameworks for understanding whistleblowing as a mechanism for ensuring organizational accountability and public interest protection. His research also explores trust dynamics in organizations, stakeholder dialogue informed by Rawlsian political philosophy, and ethical dimensions of the Norwegian Government Pension Fund Global. Through his scholarship, Alm has made significant contributions to understanding how ethical communication can strengthen organizational legitimacy and social responsibility.

Alm's publication record demonstrates consistent scholarly output with a notable increase in research on whistleblowing in recent years. His work shows a progression from broader business ethics topics toward more specialized studies on whistleblowing mechanisms, legal frameworks, and their relationship to corporate social responsibility. A distinctive feature of his research is the integration of philosophical frameworks, particularly Rawlsian concepts of reasonableness, into business ethics discourse. His scholarship often bridges theoretical business ethics with practical organizational challenges, particularly regarding employee rights and organizational transparency.

As an academic leader, Alm has contributed to policy discussions, particularly regarding the ethical guidelines of the Norwegian Government Pension Fund Global, where he provided expert commentary. Alm's research has been supported through various academic appointments and collaborative projects with colleagues across Europe.

Professor Alm maintains active engagement with both academic and public discourse through his publications in scholarly journals, contributions to edited volumes, and media appearances. His work on whistleblowing has positioned him as a leading voice in Norway on this critical aspect of organizational ethics and governance.