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Article
Publication date: 18 June 2021

Jill O. Jasperson, Thomas E. Dearden and Ronald Mellado Miller

In 2015, Utah enacted the first white-collar crime (WCC) registry. Similar to sex offender registries, this registry provides demographic information to the public. Utah’s law…

Abstract

Purpose

In 2015, Utah enacted the first white-collar crime (WCC) registry. Similar to sex offender registries, this registry provides demographic information to the public. Utah’s law includes convicted offenders of second-degree felonies for a variety of non-violent, financial crimes, including securities fraud, insurance fraud and theft by deception (H.B. 378, 2015). The purpose of this paper is to examine the perceptions of this new registry.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey was built in 2016 to better understand the perceptions of said WCC registry. This paper considers the relationships between demographic variables, fear of crime and support for Utah’s WCC registry using data from over 968 university students in Utah.

Findings

The authors find strong support for the registry, with 76% of the sample supporting its implementation. Only one variable, social political affiliation, was significant. Those who defined themselves as social strong liberals were more likely to select somewhat support rather than definitely support the registry.

Originality/value

This is the first paper that we know of to examine support for a WCC registry.

Details

Journal of Financial Crime, vol. 29 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1359-0790

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 7 January 2019

Thomas E. Dearden

This paper aims to add to the theoretical discussion of white-collar crime by introducing modern psychological decision-making literature and the potential effect on white-collar…

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Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to add to the theoretical discussion of white-collar crime by introducing modern psychological decision-making literature and the potential effect on white-collar offending.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a theoretical approach, literature on heuristics, innovation and stress, insight into why white-collar offenders decide to commit crime is posited.

Findings

The heuristics and strategies that people use to assist in decision-making process may inadvertently promote white-collar crime. For example, stress may inhibit white-collar offenders’ thinking, causing them to discount the risk of committing said offense; individuals may not challenge the success of carrying out a white-collar offense once it is considered; and generally, people will be more optimistic in considering their success of not getting caught.

Originality/value

Currently, the study of white-collar crime is discussed largely in the context of sociological factors. Current psychological theories have considerable explanatory power in understanding why white-collar offenders commit their crimes.

Details

Journal of Financial Crime, vol. 26 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1359-0790

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 2 May 2017

Thomas E. Dearden

This paper aims to update our understanding of the public’s opinion of white-collar crime and explains perceptions of white-collar crime using self-interest, political affiliation…

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Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to update our understanding of the public’s opinion of white-collar crime and explains perceptions of white-collar crime using self-interest, political affiliation and in-group/out-group characteristics.

Design/methodology/approach

A state-wide phone survey of adults in North Carolina was conducted, and 421 adults responded. They provided their views of white-collar crime, the need for government intervention and whether they were more concerned about white-collar crime in the public or private sector.

Findings

In the survey, 74 per cent of the responders agreed or strongly agreed that white-collar crime is one of the leading problems in this decade, and 74 per cent of the responders suggested that it is not being adequately addressed by our legislators. Evidence suggests that individuals who are conservative, have high confidence in their economic circumstances or are demographically similar to stereotypical white-collar criminals perceive white-collar crime to be less of a problem than individuals without these characteristics.

Originality/value

This study shows that perceptions of the dangers of white-collar crime have increased since its inception. Additionally, this study extends our understanding about why certain demographics are more likely to care (and why high-ranking politicians are less likely to care) about white-collar crime.

Details

Journal of Financial Crime, vol. 24 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1359-0790

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 25 May 2022

Thomas E. Dearden and Maria Scaptura

The purpose of this study is to examine whether victims of financial crimes are also affected by anomie. Fraud from supposed financial advisors leaves many victims feeling…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine whether victims of financial crimes are also affected by anomie. Fraud from supposed financial advisors leaves many victims feeling uncertain of their financial future and betrayed by people they trusted. This is felt even more when victims are betrayed by people in their own community. Previous research (see Hövermann et al. 2015a, 2015b, 2016, 2018) has found that individuals susceptible to the capitalistic values of the USA and other Western nations are more likely to cheat (Muftic, 2006), engage in rule-breaking (Zito, 2018) and believe in egoistic individuality (Hövermann et al. 2015a). This belief in these values could also increase the chance of victimization.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors used an experimental survey to assess whether institutional anomie theory (IAT) can also affect victimization at the individual level.

Findings

The authors find support for Messner and Rosenfeld’s (2001) IAT. An interaction was present, which revealed that IAT is more predictive when individuals are high in financial need. When individuals are desperate, they will find whatever means possible to meet the expectations of the American Dream, even if it involves investing their life savings with a potential fraudster.

Originality/value

This paper examines IAT as it relates to victim behavior. Further, this paper links the techniques of offenders using shared social status (i.e. affinity) with criminological theory.

Details

Journal of Financial Crime, vol. 30 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1359-0790

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 31 December 2015

Thomas E Dearden

– The purpose of this study is to empirically assess the theorized importance of trust and resource removal following white-collar crime.

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to empirically assess the theorized importance of trust and resource removal following white-collar crime.

Design/methodology/approach

Two studies are conducted using data from the Washington Post and ABC News Poll following the savings and loan scandal and the dotcom bust. The first examines trust in corporate contexts, and the second examines direct resource withdrawal from financial institutions.

Findings

Results of a series of logistic regressions suggest that trust is impacted by high-profile white-collar crime. Models 1 and 2 find evidence that trust is a strong predictor of belief in investing in a given industry. Models 3 and 4 provide evidence that high-profile trust breaches lead to resource withdrawal, adding to the economic damages incurred directly from white-collar crime.

Social implications

This study provides evidence that white-collar crime can create much larger financial consequences than immediate losses.

Originality/value

Despite considerable theoretical ties between white-collar crime and trust, little empirical evidence exists to support this notion. This study provides two empirical studies that address the theoretical link.

Details

Journal of Financial Crime, vol. 23 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1359-0790

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 8 May 2024

Thomas Dearden, Jill O. Jasperson and Ronald Mellado Miller

This study aims to investigate the relationship between religiosity, belief in a just world (BJW), trust and affinity fraud.

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the relationship between religiosity, belief in a just world (BJW), trust and affinity fraud.

Design/methodology/approach

Using an online panel vendor, this study collected survey data from 1,030 participants. Participants are balanced based on US Census data.

Findings

This study finds evidence that religiosity and, to a lesser extent, trust were correlated with choosing an affinity investor but not BJW. Overall, this study adds to the literature on fraud by examining the potential processes of tricking a victim.

Originality/value

This study examines the complex decision-making around investing with fraudsters. This study disentangles the relationship between affinity fraud, decision-making, trust and religiosity. Furthermore, this consider the reasons why a shared affinity may increase trust through the lens of the decision-maker.

Details

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

Keywords

Book part
Publication date: 17 June 2022

Deborah Smart

The most recent research on the prevalence of young caring in secondary school–age children (Joseph et al., 2019) suggests that one in five 11–16 year olds have a caring role…

Abstract

The most recent research on the prevalence of young caring in secondary school–age children (Joseph et al., 2019) suggests that one in five 11–16 year olds have a caring role. There are inherent challenges with identifying children and young people (CYP) who have caring responsibilities; they find themselves in the role because of love for a family member, as well as the lack of provision to meet the needs of the person they are caring for (Keith & Morris, 1995), not because they have consciously chosen to become a carer, and so do not identify with the concept (Smyth, Blaxland, & Cass, 2011). School can be both precarious and a place of sanctuary for young carers (Becker & Becker, 2008). Experiences of education, as with many aspects of caring, exist on a continuum with no young carers’ educational experience being the same (Dearden & Becker, 2003). Schools have a pivotal role in identifying, understanding and supporting young carers to prevent their education from being adversely affected.

Details

Understanding Safeguarding for Children and Their Educational Experiences
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-80262-709-1

Keywords

Content available

Abstract

Details

Degrees of Success
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-80043-192-8

Abstract

Details

Servitization Strategy and Managerial Control
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-78714-845-1

Article
Publication date: 1 January 1908

The sealing of samples purchased under the provisions of the Sale of Food and Drugs Acts has recently been on more than one occasion the subject of articles or letters in this…

Abstract

The sealing of samples purchased under the provisions of the Sale of Food and Drugs Acts has recently been on more than one occasion the subject of articles or letters in this journal. In November last, at a meeting of “The Society of Public Analysts and Other Analytical Chemists,” Mr. H. Droop Richmond opened a formal discussion on the matter, but it cannot be said that the proceedings contributed much to our knowledge of what has taken place in the past, revealed any satisfactory remedy likely to be applicable in the future, or even definitely settled whether any change in our present practice was really required.

Details

British Food Journal, vol. 10 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0007-070X

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