White-Collar Crime in the Public and Private Sectors: Theoretical Perspectives on Motivation

by

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

For this research, I would like to thank my family, friends and specifically my supervisor, for supporting and guiding me throughout my journey of learning. Without their support, it would not have been possible for me to conduct this research.

DECLARATION

I, (Your name), would like to declare that all contents included in this thesis/dissertation stand for my individual work without any aid, & this thesis/dissertation has not been submitted for any examination at academic as well as professional level previously. It is also representing my very own views & not essentially which are associated with university.

Signed __________________ Date _________________

Table of Contents

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTII

DECLARATIONIII

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION1

Background of the Study1

Research Aim and Objectives2

Research Questions3

CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW4

White-Collar Crime4

White Collar Crime Victimization6

Public Perception regarding White-Collar Crime8

Issues Sanctioning White-Collar Criminals9

Previous Literature on Motivation, Crime & Gender12

Neutralization & Drift Theory15

CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY16

Research Design16

Literature Search17

CHAPTER 4: DISCUSSION19

The Need for Reform19

Public Perception of White-Collar Crime after Enron19

Calls for Reform20

Creating a Culture of the Profession21

Can Ethics Be Taught22

Theories of Moral Development22

Learning of Ethics24

Analytical and Critical Thinking and Ethics25

Ethics Courses26

An Underestimated Phenomenon in the Private Sector28

Limited Awareness and Regulation29

CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSION31

Theoretical Implications31

REFERENCES34

Chapter 1: Introduction

Background of the Study

In 1939, at the American Sociological Society convention, Edwin Sutherland's presidential address introduced and defined white-collar crime. According to Sutherland (1949), white-collar crime constituted “a crime committed by a person of respectability and high social status in the course of his occupation (p. 9)”. Currently, many definitions of white-collar crime exist that focus on different offenses and offenders. The labelling of white-collar crime has changed the way social scientists, economists, and businesses conduct and look at management and practices. Public sentiment appeared to be one of indifference before recent, high-profile white- collar crime scandals such as Enron's collapse, Martha Stewart's insider trading scandal, Bernard Madoff's Ponzi scheme, and WorldCom's dissolution. These major white-collar crime incidents unleashed a frenzy of media attention that may have altered public ideas about the nature and seriousness of occupational and corporate crime.

When picturing a criminal, individuals rarely think of a man with his white-collar or a woman with her pearl necklace who sits in a position of corporate authority. Instead, individuals picture the hooded figures in the dark alleyway waiting to prey on their next victim. The stereotypical offender is perceived to be the “dangerous” street criminal. This common perception ignores professionals and corporate executives who engage in illegal and unethical behaviour. In today's media savvy culture, scandalous information is rarely concealed for long periods of time. Daily the public will turn on their televisions, computers, or open a newspaper and read about an incident of white-collar crime. Despite recent publicity focusing on white-collar crime, few individuals actually understand the intricacies of the offenses and their impact on society. Media coverage often fails to fully explore the harms and costs of white-collar crime. The lack of understanding of the damages these elite criminals and crimes cause often shield upper echelon criminals from full blame and distort public ...