The Structure of Trade-type and Governance-type Organized Crime Groups: a Network Study

The paper provides a theoretical framework for categorizing organized crime groups based on what they do - whether they produce, trade or govern - as well as their aims. This paper then tests whether the internal structure of a heroin distribution organization in New York City, a Sicilian mafia grou...

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Bibliographic Details
Authors: Breuer, Niles (Author) ; Varese, Federico 1965- (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
Published: 2023
In: The British journal of criminology
Year: 2023, Volume: 63, Issue: 4, Pages: 867-888
Online Access: Volltext (kostenfrei)
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Rights Information:CC BY 4.0
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Keywords:
Organized crime
Governance
Sicilian mafia
IRA
heroin distribution
Networks
Description
Summary:The paper provides a theoretical framework for categorizing organized crime groups based on what they do - whether they produce, trade or govern - as well as their aims. This paper then tests whether the internal structure of a heroin distribution organization in New York City, a Sicilian mafia group and the Provisional Irish Republican Army differ. Applying Exponential Random Graph Models (ERGMs) methods to network data, we find the organizational structure of trade-type organized crime differs markedly from governance-type, as well as between financially-motivated and politically-motivated groups. Trade-type organized crime and financially-motivated groups display a high level of centralization, an even distribution of clustering values, short paths and low homophily. Governance-type organized crime and politically-motivated groups display the opposite features. We conclude that the core activity and aim of the group are crucial in understanding the organizational structure.
Item Description:Literaturverzeichnis: Seite 886-888
Physical Description:Diagramme
ISSN:1464-3529
DOI:10.1093/bjc/azac065