Scholarly interest in the business effects of organised crime (OC) has recently increased. This study conducts a systematic literature review (SLR) on the conditions under which OC could pose a threat to or take control of firms within a particular context. We use narrative synthesis and thematic analysis, with a sample of 46 theoretical and empirical studies published over the past 30 years on the relationship between OC and firms within the disciplines of Business, Management, and Accounting (BMA). SLR and thematic analysis show that scholarly interest has focused on four key domains: OC as a firm, the impact of OC on firms, firms’ efforts to counter OC’s influence, and governmental interventions. Using medical metaphors, we also develop a diagram depicting the interplay between OC and firms within the BMA literature. This study contributes to the literature shaping an agenda to steer future research towards these four key themes. The effectiveness of anti-OC tools and measures depends on a thorough understanding of local norms, behaviours, and business practices. In addition to measurement and methodological challenges, several gray areas remain, including the distinction between criminal enterprises and legitimate businesses. Ambiguities also surround the circumstances under which the OC preys upon firms or employs them to establish dominance over a territory.

Entrepreneurship and Organised Crime: A Systematic Review and Research Agenda Based on Three Decades of Scholarship

Cincimino Salvatore;La Rosa Fabio
;
Paternostro Sergio
2024-01-01

Abstract

Scholarly interest in the business effects of organised crime (OC) has recently increased. This study conducts a systematic literature review (SLR) on the conditions under which OC could pose a threat to or take control of firms within a particular context. We use narrative synthesis and thematic analysis, with a sample of 46 theoretical and empirical studies published over the past 30 years on the relationship between OC and firms within the disciplines of Business, Management, and Accounting (BMA). SLR and thematic analysis show that scholarly interest has focused on four key domains: OC as a firm, the impact of OC on firms, firms’ efforts to counter OC’s influence, and governmental interventions. Using medical metaphors, we also develop a diagram depicting the interplay between OC and firms within the BMA literature. This study contributes to the literature shaping an agenda to steer future research towards these four key themes. The effectiveness of anti-OC tools and measures depends on a thorough understanding of local norms, behaviours, and business practices. In addition to measurement and methodological challenges, several gray areas remain, including the distinction between criminal enterprises and legitimate businesses. Ambiguities also surround the circumstances under which the OC preys upon firms or employs them to establish dominance over a territory.
2024
Organised crime; mafia; impact of organised crime on firms; firms’ action against organised crime; governamental interventions against crime; systematic literature review (SLR).
File in questo prodotto:
Non ci sono file associati a questo prodotto.

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11769/599089
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? ND
  • Scopus ND
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? ND
social impact