The term ‘white-collar crime’ coined by Sutherland 1983 is defined as “a crime committed by a person of respectability and high social status in the course of his occupation.” This discourse examines white-collar crime in Trinidad and Tobago. The study utilizes data from relevant existing documents together with the evidence provided to the Commission of Enquiry which was set up to investigate the failure of CL Financial to examine and explain of the failure of the conglomerate. Even though the final report of the Commission of Enquiry into the failure of the CL Financial group remains outstanding to date, the study revealed that white-collar crime offences as defined by criminologists did in fact occur within the conglomerate. It found that the failure of the company was primarily due to poor accounting practices, corporate malfeasances, bad investments, payment of exorbitant bonuses and wages to top employees and other minor financial infractions.
Table of Contents
- Chapter 1 Introduction
- Chapter 2 Literature Review
- Defining White Collar Crime
- Rational Choice
- Strain and anomie control
- Opportunity and Motivation
- Violation of trust theory
- Chapter 3 Methodology
- Conceptual Framework
- Data Collection Method
- Chapter 4 Findings, Analysis and Discussion
- Findings
- Analysis
- Accounting and Transparency
- Excessive Inter-group Transactions
- CIB account issues
- Executive Flexible Premium Annuity
- Corporate Governance
- Oversight and Regulation
- Discussion
- Rational Choice
- Strain and anomie control
- Opportunity and Motivation
Objectives and Key Themes
This work aims to examine the prevalence and impact of white-collar crime, particularly in the Caribbean context. It explores existing criminological theories applied to understanding this type of crime and analyzes specific cases to illustrate its real-world effects.
- Defining and characterizing white-collar crime.
- Applying criminological theories (rational choice, strain theory, opportunity theory) to white-collar crime.
- Analyzing the impact of white-collar crime on society, particularly financial losses.
- Examining the challenges in investigating and prosecuting white-collar crime.
- Exploring the under-reporting and lack of research on white-collar crime in the Caribbean.
Chapter Summaries
Chapter 1 Introduction: This chapter introduces the study of white-collar crime, highlighting its emergence as a significant area of criminological research. It contrasts the traditional focus on street crime with the growing recognition of the substantial societal impact of white-collar offenses. The chapter emphasizes the work of Edwin Sutherland in coining the term and challenging the prevailing association of crime with poverty. It also notes the historical under-representation of white-collar crime in criminological studies and the recent global efforts to address it through legislation, regulation, and enhanced oversight.
Chapter 2 Literature Review: This chapter delves into existing theories attempting to explain white-collar crime. It reviews various theoretical frameworks, including rational choice theory, strain and anomie control theory, opportunity and motivation theories, and violation of trust theory. The chapter examines how these theoretical perspectives can be applied to understand the motivations and circumstances surrounding white-collar criminal activities, providing a foundation for subsequent empirical analysis.
Chapter 3 Methodology: This chapter outlines the research methodology employed in the study. It details the conceptual framework guiding the research and the data collection methods used to gather information relevant to the investigation of white-collar crime. The methodological approach provides the framework for interpreting the findings presented in the subsequent chapter.
Chapter 4 Findings, Analysis and Discussion: This chapter presents the findings of the study's investigation into white-collar crime, focusing on specific cases and real-world examples. The analysis section examines several key areas, including accounting and transparency issues, excessive inter-group transactions, problems with specific accounts, executive flexible premium annuities, corporate governance failures, and the role of oversight and regulation. The discussion section integrates these findings with the theoretical framework presented in Chapter 2, offering insights into the motivations, opportunities, and consequences of white-collar crime. The chapter analyzes the identified issues through the lens of rational choice, strain and anomie control, and opportunity and motivation theories.
Keywords
White-collar crime, criminology, rational choice theory, strain theory, opportunity theory, corporate governance, financial fraud, regulatory oversight, Caribbean, underreporting, Sutherland, investigation, prosecution.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview on White-Collar Crime
What is the purpose of this document?
This document provides a comprehensive preview of a research work examining white-collar crime, particularly within a Caribbean context. It includes a table of contents, objectives and key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords.
What are the main topics covered in the research?
The research explores the prevalence and impact of white-collar crime in the Caribbean, applying various criminological theories (rational choice, strain theory, opportunity theory) to understand its causes and consequences. It analyzes specific cases, examines challenges in investigation and prosecution, and addresses the issue of underreporting of such crimes in the region.
What are the key criminological theories discussed?
The study reviews and applies several prominent criminological theories, including rational choice theory, strain and anomie control theory, opportunity and motivation theories, and violation of trust theory, to analyze white-collar crime.
What is the methodology used in the research?
The research methodology involves a detailed conceptual framework and specific data collection methods. These methods are described in Chapter 3 and provide the basis for interpreting the findings.
What specific aspects of white-collar crime are analyzed in the findings?
The analysis focuses on several key areas, including accounting and transparency issues, excessive inter-group transactions, problems with specific accounts (CIB accounts), executive flexible premium annuities, corporate governance failures, and the role of oversight and regulation. Real-world examples and case studies are used to illustrate these aspects.
How are the findings discussed and interpreted?
The discussion section integrates the findings with the theoretical framework presented earlier, offering insights into the motivations, opportunities, and consequences of white-collar crime. The analysis utilizes the lens of rational choice, strain and anomie control, and opportunity and motivation theories.
What is the significance of the Caribbean context in this research?
The research highlights the under-reporting and lack of research on white-collar crime in the Caribbean, making this regional focus particularly significant. It aims to contribute to a better understanding of the specific challenges and dynamics of white-collar crime in this area.
What are the keywords associated with this research?
Key terms include white-collar crime, criminology, rational choice theory, strain theory, opportunity theory, corporate governance, financial fraud, regulatory oversight, Caribbean, underreporting, Sutherland, investigation, and prosecution.
What is the structure of the research work?
The research is structured into four chapters: an introduction, a literature review, a methodology chapter, and a chapter presenting findings, analysis, and discussion. A table of contents provides a detailed breakdown of the included sections.
Where can I find more information about the research?
This document serves as a preview. For a complete understanding of the research, please refer to the full research paper itself. (Further access details would be provided separately).
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- Alexia McKell (Autor), 2014, White Collar Crime in Trinidad and Tobago. The Collapse of CL Financial Ltd, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/337834
