NCJ Number
77882
Journal
Assets Protection Volume: 6 Issue: 2 Dated: (March/April 1981) Pages: 22-25
Date Published
1981
Length
4 pages
Annotation
Eight theories of white-collar crime are presented with respect to their advocate groups, putative causes, and recommended solutions.
Abstract
Accountants tend to argue that white-collar crime results from poor internal accounting controls, and that more and better controls will reduce such crime. Personnel administrators view white-collar crime as caused by poor personnel selection techniques, with the solution being more and better screening, screening tools, and screeners. Security directors are prone to believe that poor physical security controls and recruitment standards permit the expansion of white-collar crime; their solution is more guards, locks, alarms, etc., and better screening of employees for character, fitness, and reputation, along with verification of identity, education, and experience. Organizational behavior specialists point toward a poor internal work environment and motivational climate as the root of white-collar crime, and they advocate more and better interpersonal communication, more job satisfaction studies, and humanization of the work environment. Sociologists cite poor coworkers and peer group pressures as the primary causes of white-collar crime, to be remedied by the periodic rotation and transfer of employees. Moral philosophers believe that poor ethical standards are prevalent in a firm contribute to white-collar crime, and they advise the development and circulation of corporate credo statements. Economists, lawyers, and politicians tend to view white-collar crime as being caused by deterioration in the general economy, industry trade practices, and governmental regulation, with solutions being law suits against those who encroach on persons' rights and the adoption of effective fair-competition laws. Unionists are convinced that white-collar crime is rooted in poor working conditions, pay, and fringe benefits, with the remedy being more benefits and less work. The theories are presented without critique to show the biases prevalent in discussions of white-collar crime.