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Article
Publication date: 1 March 1993

Stuart Hammond

This paper considers the methodology for putting together meaningful performance indicators for investigators in BTI. These investigators are primarily involved in investigating…

Abstract

This paper considers the methodology for putting together meaningful performance indicators for investigators in BTI. These investigators are primarily involved in investigating the various frauds perpetrated against the company; such as manipulation of the company's billing system, false invoicing by contractors and employee circumvention of stores and systems. It highlights the necessity for both qualitative and quantitative measurement to ensure a quality product (investigation) is provided to the ‘customer’. The author concludes that the introduction of such measurements allows for more objective appraisals of people to be prepared; provides a better overview of the use of resources; and, most encouragingly, results in a belief on the part of investigators themselves that performance indicators are worthwhile.

Details

Journal of Financial Crime, vol. 1 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1359-0790

Article
Publication date: 5 July 2013

Paul A. Watters

A key problem in money laundering investigations based on open source intelligence gathering is the performance (efficiency and accuracy) of people in the team, where suspects…

Abstract

Purpose

A key problem in money laundering investigations based on open source intelligence gathering is the performance (efficiency and accuracy) of people in the team, where suspects will typically try to conceal incriminating evidence or deliberately deceive investigators to avoid prosecution. If we are able to develop a suitable psychological model of deception for web‐based investigations, it should be possible to develop training programmes to improve investigators' ability to “see beyond” deliberate concealment. The purpose of this paper is to empirically test a model based on non‐linear system identification using a well‐known psychological phenomenon (the Stroop effect), where conflicting colour and text information is presented to subjects which they are instructed to process in a certain way.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses an experimental approach.

Findings

The results indicate that strategies for improving investigator information processing performance can benefit from models that incorporate both linear and non‐linear components.

Originality/value

Although the Stroop effect is well known, no other papers have investigated how it may be used to evaluate and monitor the performance of investigators. The real value of this study will emerge when tools are developed to better train investigators to identify concealment within conflicting input data.

Details

Journal of Money Laundering Control, vol. 16 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1368-5201

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 November 2006

Ahmed Binsubaih, Steve Maddock and Daniela Romano

In Dubai, traffic accidents kill one person every 37 hours and injure one person every 3 hours. Novice traffic accident investigators in the Dubai police force are expected to…

Abstract

In Dubai, traffic accidents kill one person every 37 hours and injure one person every 3 hours. Novice traffic accident investigators in the Dubai police force are expected to ‘learn by doing’ in this intense environment. Currently, they use no alternative to the real world in order to practice. This paper argues for the use of an alternative learning environment, where the novice investigator can feel safe in exploring different investigative routes without fear for the consequences. The paper describes a game‐based learning environment that has been built using a game engine. The effectiveness of this environment in improving the performance of traffic accident investigators is also presented. Fifty‐six policemen took part in an experiment involving a virtual traffic accident scenario. They were divided into two groups: novices (0 to 2 years experience) and experienced personnel (with more than 2 years experience). The experiment revealed significant performance improvements in both groups, with the improvement reported in novices significantly higher than the one reported in experienced personnel. Both groups showed significant differences in navigational patterns (e.g. distances travelled and time utilization) between the two training sessions.

Details

Interactive Technology and Smart Education, vol. 3 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1741-5659

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 15 January 2020

Marco DeSisto, Jillian Cavanagh and Timothy Bartram

The purpose of this paper is to examine the process of collective leadership in emergency management organisations. More specifically, the authors investigate the conditions that…

1641

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the process of collective leadership in emergency management organisations. More specifically, the authors investigate the conditions that enable or prevent collective leadership amongst key actors in the emergency management network in bushfire investigations. We also examine how chief investigators facilitate the conditions to effectively distribute leadership and the role of social networks within this process.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative case study approach was undertaken, and 18 semi-structured interviews were carried out with chief investigators, 6 at each of three agencies in Australia. A framework for understanding collective leadership (Friedrich et al., 2016) was used to examine key leadership constructs, baseline leadership and outcomes relative to bushfire investigations.

Findings

Findings demonstrate that there is no evidence of collective leadership at the network level of bushfire investigations. There is mixed evidence of collective leadership within bushfire investigation departments, with the Arson Squad being the only government agency to engage in collective leadership. The authors found evidence that government bureaucracy and mandated protocols inhibited the ability of formal leaders to distribute leadership, gauge a clear understanding of the level of skill and expertise amongst chief investigators and poor communication that inhibited knowledge of investigations.

Research limitations/implications

The study was limited to three bushfire investigative agencies. A future study will be carried out with other stakeholders, such as fire investigators and firefighters in the field.

Practical implications

For the government, emergency management agencies and other stakeholders, a key enabler of collective leadership within the emergency management network is the presence of a formal leader within a network. That leader has the authority and political ability to distribute leadership to other experts.

Social implications

The paper contributes to developing a better understanding of the efficacy and challenges associated with the application of collective leadership theory in a complex government bureaucracy. There are positive implications for the safety of firefighters, the protection of the broader community, their properties and livestock.

Originality/value

The authors address the lack of literature on effective leadership processes amongst emergency management agencies. The paper contributes to extending collective leadership theory by unpacking the processes through which leadership is distributed to team members and the role of institutions (i.e. fire investigation bureaucracy) on social networks within this integrative process. The authors provide new insights into the practice of collective leadership in complex bureaucratic organisations.

Details

Leadership & Organization Development Journal, vol. 41 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0143-7739

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 28 January 2020

Lynn H. Clements

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the personality traits common to fraud investigators utilizing the ten-item personality inventory (TIPI) instrument. Moreover, the…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the personality traits common to fraud investigators utilizing the ten-item personality inventory (TIPI) instrument. Moreover, the paper seeks to encourage employers and academics to consider identifying the personality traits common to fraud investigators in hiring and educating potential future investigators.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey was administered to 183 professionals using the TIPI instrument

Findings

The professionals surveyed self-reported a high level of conscientiousness, measured as a mean of > 12 on a scale of 14. A secondary finding is that the professionals surveyed who are “more experienced” at fraud investigation exhibit more openness and less neuroticism than those with less investigation experience.

Research limitations/implications

The first limitation is the small number of usable responses (183). A second limitation is that surveys were administered in only two states, and the results may not reflect the general population of professionals who search for fraud. A third limitation is that the survey respondents had a wide variety of careers, and the results may have differed if the survey had been administered to only one type of investigator.

Practical implications

The results have implications for employers, fraud investigators and academics. Given that fraud is prevalent in all industries around the world, employers may wish to pinpoint current or potential employees who have the personality type(s) that are best suited to detect fraud. Also, academics may identify students who have the personality type(s) that are best suited for a career in fraud detection.

Originality/value

This the first study to explore the personality types that may identify persons who are well suited for fraud detection.

Details

Journal of Financial Crime, vol. 27 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1359-0790

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 12 October 2010

Simon Wesley Lane

The purpose of this paper is to present a comparative appraisal of structures, fraud loss and performance data in London local authorities (LAs) with that of the National Health…

1545

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a comparative appraisal of structures, fraud loss and performance data in London local authorities (LAs) with that of the National Health Service (NHS) and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) in order to test the Fraud Review's contention that LAs are “less well equipped” to deal with fraud than central government departments.

Design/methodology/approach

Primary research was undertaken through questionnaires to all London boroughs and interviews with key personnel in two comparator organisations.

Findings

London boroughs are no less competent or effective in investigating fraud. Each has a specialist anti‐fraud response and has similar levels of performance as comparator organisations. Whilst London boroughs outperform in some areas such as sanctions per officer against the NHS and detection levels in benefit fraud against the DWP, there are concerns over higher per unit staffing cost, principally caused by the autonomous and diverse nature of local government. Further that some authorities are unaware of, or unwilling to deal with, certain fraud typologies.

Research limitations/implications

The research was limited to London local government and further work is needed outside the capital.

Practical implications

Recommendations are made for the introduction of an explicit statutory requirement for LAs to have an anti‐fraud resource, standardisation of definitions and consideration of borough‐based multi‐agency fraud teams.

Originality/value

There has been no previous research of this type and it may be useful to government when considering how to deal with fraud, LAs and those with an interest in public sector fraud.

Details

Journal of Financial Crime, vol. 17 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1359-0790

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 30 April 2021

Thomas Scott and Charles Wellford

This paper addresses the clearance of aggravated assaults (AAs). Specifically, the authors consider variations in these clearances over time for large agencies and test which…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper addresses the clearance of aggravated assaults (AAs). Specifically, the authors consider variations in these clearances over time for large agencies and test which crime, investigation and agency factors are associated with the likelihood of clearance by arrest or exceptional means. In doing this work, they seek to extend the understanding of how police can improve their investigations and ability to solve serious offenses.

Design/methodology/approach

Using case, investigative and organizational data collected from seven large police departments selected on the basis of their trajectory of index crime clearances, and measures of case characteristics, investigative effort and organizational best practices, this paper uses descriptive and inferential statistics to analyze AA investigations and case clearance.

Findings

Key findings include the following: trajectories of AA clearance vary across large agencies and covary with a measure of organizational best practices, and the relationship between investigative effort and case clearance can depend on organizational practices. The authors find that measures of investigative effort are either not related to case clearance or there is a negative association.

Research limitations/implications

Now that police researchers have a better understanding of AAs and their investigations, they need to test how this knowledge can be used to improve the quality of police investigations. Tests, preferably multi-agency randomized control trials, of new investigative strategies and organizational practices are needed.

Originality/value

This research is original in that it uses a multi-agency sample and crime, investigation and organizational measures to understand AA clearance.

Details

Policing: An International Journal, vol. 44 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1363-951X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 15 June 2010

Richard K. Ladyshewsky

The purpose of this paper is to explore the manager as coach (MAC) role as an organisational development strategy, in particular, aspects of the relationship between manager and…

9564

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the manager as coach (MAC) role as an organisational development strategy, in particular, aspects of the relationship between manager and employee that make it successful. The purpose of the MAC in the business context is to help employees consider how they might work and behave differently with more effective behaviours that produce better outcomes, without a reliance on the formal authority the manager possesses.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative case study approach was adopted in which individuals shared their experiences as MAC and/or as an employee receiving coaching from a manager in an asynchronous online discussion forum. These discussions were then qualitatively analysed.

Findings

The findings illustrate the complexity of the MAC role and why many managers fail in this role, leading to a loss of engagement and motivation of staff. Similarly, factors, which strengthen the relationship between the MAC and employee, such as trust, shared values, and benevolence lead to success in this organisational relationship.

Practical implications

Managers need to understand how to operate as a MAC to elevate organisational performance. Similarly, organisational developers need to understand what is required in training programs to develop managers into coaches if they are to employ this strategy successfully.

Originality/value

This practitioner oriented paper builds upon a case study, which explores the MAC role and integrates the findings with contemporary knowledge on performance management and coaching.

Details

Leadership & Organization Development Journal, vol. 31 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0143-7739

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 18 January 2024

Dohyoung Kim, Sunmi Jung and Eungdo Kim

The authors contribute to the literature on leadership by investigating how characteristics of principal investigators (PIs) affect innovation performance, and how collaborative…

Abstract

Purpose

The authors contribute to the literature on leadership by investigating how characteristics of principal investigators (PIs) affect innovation performance, and how collaborative and non-collaborative projects moderate this relationship within the context of inter-organisational research projects.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors analysed panel data from the National Science and Technology Information Service on 171 research projects within a biomedical and regenerative medicines programme overseen by the Korea Health Industry Development Institute. The authors used a hierarchical regression model, based on the ordinary least squares method, to examine the relationship between PI characteristics and performance, considering both quantity and quality.

Findings

The results show that the characteristics of PIs have diverse effects on the quantity and quality of innovation performance. Gender diversity within PIs negatively affects the quality of innovation performance, while the capacity of PIs positively influences it. Moreover, the degree of PI’s engagement is positively associated with the quantity of innovation performance but does not have a significant relationship with the quality of performance. In terms of moderating effects, collaborative projects with multiple leaders seem less reliant on PI capacity than non-collaborative projects led by a single leader, in terms of innovation performance.

Originality/value

The results contribute significantly to the literature on innovation management by examining the role of leadership in collaborative environments to enhance innovation performance, addressing the need for empirical evidence in this area. Analyses of PI characteristics in government R&D management can lead to improved team performance, more efficient processes and effective resource allocation, ultimately fostering innovation.

Details

European Journal of Innovation Management, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1460-1060

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 March 2012

Robert J. Eger III and Bruce D. McDonald III

The current classifications for public school costs are provided by the National Center for Educational Statistics. To improve comparability between school districts, we provided…

Abstract

The current classifications for public school costs are provided by the National Center for Educational Statistics. To improve comparability between school districts, we provided an alternative classification with fewer numbers of expenditure categories, distinctions between school-based and non-school based administration costs, and school levels. The new classification was then applied to five comparable urban school districts. We found (1) that teacher salaries per student are affected by school level disaggregation; (2) that separating administrative costs into school-based and nonschool- based provides for an observable cost relationship; and (3) that curriculum and instructional support per student differ by school level disaggregation. The alternative classification may assist auditors and investigators whose role is to assess the costs performance of urban school districts by providing comparable school level and cost type.

Details

Journal of Public Budgeting, Accounting & Financial Management, vol. 24 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1096-3367

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