ABSTRACT

Convenience theory is a novel, integrated theory aimed at explaining criminal behavior, with a particular focus on white-collar crime. The current study represents a preliminary test of this theory through a survey of student perceptions of financial crimes committed by business leaders and executives. Four dimensions of the theory, including justifications, motivations, opportunities, and willingness to commit crime, are examined using an international sample of students from two different universities. Results reveal significant differences between students’ agreement with justifications for white-collar crime. Those more likely to agree with crime justifications were also more likely to agree with motivations for and willingness to engage in executive leader crimes associated with a business. Thus, the current study finds support for convenience theory as a possible explanation for white-collar criminality among those expected to be in future positions which make these crimes possible. Findings also implicate motivation and willingness, two important dimensions in convenience theory, as key factors which are likely to influence the decision-making process to engage in white-collar crime.

摘要

便利理论是一种新颖的综合理论，旨在解释犯罪行为，特别关注白领犯罪。目前的研究通过调查学生对商业领袖和高管所犯金融犯罪的看法，对这一理论进行了初步测试。该理论的四个维度，包括理由、动机、机会和犯罪意愿，使用来自两所不同大学的国际学生样本进行了检验。结果显示，学生对白领犯罪正当理由的认同存在显着差异。那些更有可能同意犯罪理由的人也更有可能同意参与与企业相关的行政领导犯罪的动机和意愿。因此，目前的研究支持便利理论作为对白领犯罪的可能解释，这些人预计将在未来的职位上使这些犯罪成为可能。研究结果还暗示动机和意愿这两个便利理论中的重要维度是可能影响参与白领犯罪的决策过程的关键因素。