INTRODUCTON
When people think of crime their first inclination is to envision men in masks robbing a bank at gunpoint, drug dealers selling drugs to children on the street and, in the most extreme cases, murder. However, there are many different types of crime and not all of them are violent, not all involve acts that are easily identified and happen a lot more often that the general public probably thinks. White-collar Crime was first identified the mid 20th century by Edwin Sutherland. However, white-collar crime, which is the term given to financial crimes committed by the middle and higher classes that occurs via their occupations, were not really considered crimes and were ignored in the grand scheme of things until the 1970s. These kinds of crime happen every day, but they generally do not garner as much media attention because they are seen as victimless crimes, after all, the victim is essentially a business (Lily, Cullen, and Ball, 2015). However, such crimes are still crimes and must be addressed appropriately. That being said many professionals in the realms of psychology, sociology and criminology have worked to understand the motivations and reasons as to why people commit white-collar crimes. After reviewing the relevant information it becomes clear that white-collar crime is all too common, they are serious crimes and are worthy of greater study and research.
BACKGROUND
Again, white-collar crimes are primarily termed as being financially related. Money laundering, embezzlement, fraud and theft are all forms of white-collar crime. White collar crimes are probably the youngest type of crime identified, but has probably existed as long as businesses first began to develop; it just was not categorized as crimes like more petty or violent forms (Lugo 2013). However, because these crimes are generally not violent or involve any direct attacks on a specific person, there are a whole different set of laws that apply to this sort of crime. The federal run prisons are those most filled with mostly white-collar criminals. They are often perceived as intellectual criminals, that pose no real threat so they are not housed in maximum security prisons; in fact, the federal prison system is often considered to be so lax and comfortable, many call the “Club-Fed.” They may not be physically dangerous criminals, but they are no less criminals because they committed criminal acts. When someone robs a liquor store they may steal a few hundred dollars, however white-collar criminals are dealing with totals, sometimes, in the millions of dollars, which can destroy companies, investors and undermine businesses. These crimes can and have caused harm and defy most ethical and legal principles.
DISCUSSION
For many years experts have worked to understand the mentality, motivations and causes that lead individuals to commit white-collar crimes. So many of theories regarding most crimes argue that crime is something committed by the poor against those who are not. The idea is “the haves and the have-nots” are add constant odds. Poverty, lack of employment opportunities and limited access to education are the motivators of most crimes. However, with white-collar crime that does not seem to be the case. Individuals who commit white-collar crimes are generally gainfully employed, successful and earn a substantial living; poverty, unemployment and lack of education are not factors (Lugo, 2013). That being said there are a number of theories that hope to explain the white-collar crime phenomenon.
Organizational Culture Theory
Organizational culture theory is a system that has evolved in a business where the employees share the same corporate values, goals, core beliefs. These ideologies, processes and procedures dictate how people behave in that setting. Sometimes the organizational culture can override the ethics, morals and philosophies that they would adhere to in their lives outside of work (Dauber, Fink & Yolles, 2011). Now, this does not mean that all employees are more likely to commit crimes, but it does means that within in certain employment environments that people can be encouraged to behave in ways that are contrary to the outlooks outside of work. On some levels this could contribute to the commission of white-collar crime.
Theories of Occupations Strain & Opportunity:
Organizational strain is how the pressure on the mind can lead to psychological, mental and physical strain. This occurs when one’s inability to deal with certain types of situations and stressors within their career that disrupts the individual’s psyche. People who have a lot often feel compelled to have more or see themselves as if they had failed if they do not. In some cases, this can motivate some to commit white-collar crimes (Agnew, Piquero & Cullen, 2009). The structure of a business does not take the strain into consideration and often leaves opportunities open for employees to steal or misappropriate monies. When people deal on a daily basis with large amounts of money it is not impossible for them to convince themselves no one will notice the loss and take the opportunity.
Neutralization Theory and Rational Choice Theory:
Essentially, most people have a ingrained sense of right and wrong. When they commit an acts that they know are wrong they will suffer from guilt and shame, which can weigh heavily on an individual. In order for white-collar criminals it becomes necessary to find means to "neutralize" that guilt. In order to do so the individual’s may find a psychological means of "turning off" their conscious allowing them to commit crimes within their occupational environment, but maintain their ethical and moral views outside of that environment (Lanier & Henry, 2004),The more often they engage in this thinking the easier it becomes to commit more crime. Rational choice theory is the idea that people are naturally wired to make the best and most logical of decisions based upon the different options available. However, another part of the theory argues that the most prudent and logical solutions are those that lead to the greatest benefit or satisfaction (Lugo, 2013). If someone is engaged white-collar crime, they may be practicing that neutralization on their “inner voices,” it can taint their ability to make truly rational choices. For example, a man is slowly stealing large amounts of money from the company, he has detached himself from the guilt of his crime and his rational choice; the choice with the greatest benefit may be the one that encourages him to steal. This literally causes rational thinking to be impeded by the neutralization process.
Criminologists coined this term in the early 1990s. It argues that for white-collar criminals there is a relationship in how state polices can be antithetical to corporate policies and practices. Sometimes there is state laws that businesses break that is often overlooked or allowed by state organizations. In other situations, a business develops policies and practices that are directly and knowingly in contrary with existing state laws. This occurs when some business seek bypasses and loopholes to laws that might cost them more money that they do not want to be required to pay (Lasslett, 2014). For individual employees, the environment in these scenarios can leave the business open to more white-collar crimes from their employees. As employees become desensitized to the knowledge that the business may not be following all laws, it gives them excuse to do the same. If illegality is tolerated in the core of the business, it is easy for individuals to justify committing more crime to benefit themselves.
Analysis:
Looking at all of the different theories that have been applied to the occurrences and commonality of white-collar crime being committed, it becomes clear that there are many different motivators that encourage white-collar crimes to be committed (Lily, Cullen & Ball, 2015). In fact, the question is why would they not commit such crimes, given the psychological, social and ethical lacking that is often present in many modern businesses. A single employee will eventually become indoctrinated into the organizational culture, leaving them open to changing their value system. Once their value system is compromised they may develop a rational that encourages them to commit a white-collar crime. To avoid guilt, the employee compensates by neutralizing such feelings, which only aids to the employee’s ability to commit more crime under the guise of a suitable and rational choice even though it would not be in their lives outside of work (Lugo, 2013). This is only impacted when the employing company is also compromising ethical and professional values in order, via illegal means, in order its own corporate gain.
CONCLUSION
Since white-collar was first taken seriously, the idea of their being a science behind the commission of white-collar crime years upon years of research has been done across decades to understand and explain the phenomena in order to prevent such crimes from being committed in businesses in the future. The results of research and studies have shown that white-collar crimes are crimes that are committed for a number of differing reasons; each and every one of those reasons can overlap and be intertwined with one another. In a way the theories regarding white-collar crimes are like dominoes, each one then compounds the other. However, reforms can be made and ideas implemented that are designed to change and prevent white-collar crimes; the most important part of any problem is breaking down and identifying it; that has been done and now is the time to develop solutions.
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