DEFINING ORGANIZATIONAL CRIME (FROM CORPORATE AND GOVERNMENTAL DEVIANCE - PROBLEMS OF ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOR IN CONTEMPORARY SOCIETY, 1978 BY M DAVID ERMANN AND R J LUNDMAN - SEE NCJ-46062)

• NCJ Number: 46063
• Author(s): N SHOVER
• Date Published: 1978
• Length: 4 pages
• Corporate Author: Oxford University Press, Inc
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

ALTHOUGH THE CONCEPT OF WHITE-COLLAR CRIME IS COMMON TO BOTH CRIMINOLOGY AND SOCIOLOGY, DEFINITIONS USED BY VARIOUS WRITERS ARE SO DIVERSE AS TO BE MEANINGLESS; A NARROWER TERM, 'ORGANIZATIONAL CRIME,' IS PROPOSED.

Abstract

WHEN SUTHERLAND PIONEERED THE TERM 'WHITE COLLAR CRIME' IN 1949, HE INTRODUCED A CONCEPT WHICH IS NOW FIRMLY ROOTED IN THE LITERATURE. HOWEVER, THE MEANING IS SO BROAD AND IMPRECISE THAT INVESTIGATIONS OF THE PROBLEM ARE DIFFICULT. IN RESPONSE TO A NEED TO ISOLATE AND STUDY HOMOGENEOUS TYPES OF CRIMINALITY ('SOCIOLOGICAL UNITS') WITHIN THE PARENT CATEGORY, THE MORE SPECIFIC TERM 'ORGANIZATIONAL CRIME' IS INTRODUCED. CRIME COMMITTED BY PERSONS WHO BELONG TO ORGANIZATIONS FALL INTO THREE CATEGORIES: (1) CRIME WHICH BENEFITS THE INDIVIDUAL AT THE EXPENSE OF THE ORGANIZATION (EMBEZZLEMENT); (2) CRIME WHICH BENEFITS THE INDIVIDUAL BUT HAS LITTLE EFFECT ON THE CORPORATION (OVERSTATING BUSINESS EXPENSES ON THE INCOME TAX FORM); AND (3) CRIME WHICH CONTRIBUTES TO BOTH THE INDIVIDUAL AND TO THE CORPORATION (VIOLATIONS OF SUNDAY CLOSING LAWS). 'ORGANIZATIONAL CRIME' IS DEFINED AS 'CRIMINAL ACTS COMMITTED BY INDIVIDUALS OR GROUPS OF INDIVIDUALS, THUS INCLUDING CONSPIRACIES, DURING THE NORMAL COURSE OF THEIR WORK AS EMPLOYEES OF ORGANIZATIONS, WHICH THEY INTEND TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE ACHIEVEMENT OF GOALS OR OTHER OBJECTIVES THOUGHT TO BE IMPORTANT FOR THE ORGANIZATION AS A WHOLE, SOME SUBUNIT WITHIN THE ORGANIZATION, OR THEIR OWN PARTICULAR JOB DUTIES.' THIS DEFINITION INCLUDES PRODUCT ALTERATIONS, INDUSTRIAL ESPIONAGE, AND PRICE FIXING. IT ALSO INCLUDES GOVERNMENTAL EXCESSES SUCH AS ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES COMMITTED BY THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION OR THE CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY. ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT EXCESSES AND FRAUDS COMMITTED AGAINST GRANT-GIVING AGENCIES FOUND IN UNIVERSITIES ARE ALSO COVERED. THE INDIVIDUALS COMMITTING SUCH ACTS IN THE COURSE OF THEIR DUTIES AS EMPLOYEES MAY BE EITHER ENHANCING OR JEOPARDIZING THEIR CAREERS. HOWEVER, SO LONG AS THEIR ACTS CONTAIN EVEN A MODICUM OF INTENT TO BENEFIT THE ORGANIZATION, THEY FALL WITHIN THIS DEFINITION. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED--GLR)