NCJ Number
45214
Date Published
1977
Length
32 pages
Annotation
AN OVERVIEW OF THE LITERATURE ON THE DEFINITION, IDENTIFICATION, MEASUREMENT, ETIOLOGY, AND CONTROL OF EMPLOYEE THEFT IS PRESENTED.
Abstract
THE MAJOR OBSTACLE TO THE STUDY OF EMPLOYEE THEFT HAS BEEN THE ABSENCE OF ACCEPTABLE RESEARCH METHODS. PRINCIPAL RESEARCH NEEDS INCLUDE DETERMINATION OF THE EXTENT AND TYPES OF EMPLOYEE THEFT AND ANALYSIS OF FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH THEFT. PENAL SANCTIONS FOR EMPLOYEE THEFT REFLECT THEIR PIECEMEAL DEVELOPMENT. A REVIEW OF THE TYPES OF EMPLOYEE THEFT REVEALS THE CONSIDERABLE VARIETY OF THEFT OBJECTS AND METHODS OF STEALING. THE EXTENT OF EMPLOYEE THEFT IS REFLECTED IN STATISTICS ON ITS ECONOMIC IMPACT AND ON THE DEGREE OF EMPLOYEE INVOLVEMENT. STUDIES OF PERSONAL INFLUENCES IN THE ETIOLOGY OF EMPLOYEE THEFT SUGGEST THAT THE 'ROTTEN APPLE' APPROACH ALONE IS NOT PARTICULARLY HELPFUL. EXTERNAL INFLUENCES, PARTICULARLY ECONOMIC NEED, ARE CONSIDERED AN IMPORTANT CAUSAL FACTOR IN EMPLOYEE THEFT. WORKPLACE INFLUENCES IN EMPLOYEE THEFT INCLUDE OPPORTUNITY, DIFFERENTIAL ASSOCIATION, MANAGERIAL DISHONESTY, AND LOW JOB SATISFACTION. THE WORKPLACE APPEARS TO BE THE MOST FRUITFUL ORIENTATION FOR CAUSAL RESEARCH. STRATEGIES FOR CONTROLLING AND REDUCING THEFT LOSSES GENERALLY FALL INTO FOUR CATEGORIES: SCREENING OF APPLICANTS; PROCEDURES AND DEVICES TO MAKE THEFT MORE DIFFICULT OR APPREHENSION EASIER; IMPROVEMENT OF EMPLOYEE SATISFACTION; AND THE PROCESS OF APPREHENSION AND PROSECUTION.