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Search for a theory of organized crimes

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  • Chang, Juin-Jen
  • Lu, Huei-Chung
  • Wang, Ping

Abstract

Casual empirical observations reveal no systematic relationship between the overall crime rate and organized criminal activity. We develop a search-theoretic framework to study the interactions not only between formal labor and crime sectors but also between individual and organized crimes. In equilibrium, individual and organized criminals face different arrest risks, success rates, reward structures and outside options. We characterize agents' “occupational choices,” the gang's hierarchical structure and the responses of unemployment, crime rates and crime composition to changes in labor-market conditions and crime-deterrence policies. We further assess the effectiveness of arrest versus punishment policies in deterring individual and organized crimes.

Suggested Citation

  • Chang, Juin-Jen & Lu, Huei-Chung & Wang, Ping, 2013. "Search for a theory of organized crimes," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 62(C), pages 130-153.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:eecrev:v:62:y:2013:i:c:p:130-153
    DOI: 10.1016/j.euroecorev.2013.05.004
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    8. Eric D. Gould & Bruce A. Weinberg & David B. Mustard, 2002. "Crime Rates And Local Labor Market Opportunities In The United States: 1979-1997," The Review of Economics and Statistics, MIT Press, vol. 84(1), pages 45-61, February.
    9. Garoupa, Nuno, 2007. "Optimal law enforcement and criminal organization," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 63(3), pages 461-474, July.
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    13. Juin-Jen Chang & Huei-Chung Lu & Mingshen Chen, 2005. "Organized Crime or Individual Crime? Endogenous Size of a Criminal Organization and the Optimal Law Enforcement," Economic Inquiry, Western Economic Association International, vol. 43(3), pages 661-675, July.
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Berrittella, Maria & Provenzano, Carmelo, 2016. "An Empirical Analysis of the Public Spending Decomposition on Organized Crime," ET: Economic Theory 232005, Fondazione Eni Enrico Mattei (FEEM).
    2. Yuki Otsu, 2016. "Crime, Search, and Ex-offenders’ Accessibility to Labor Markets," LABOUR, CEIS, vol. 30(4), pages 393-414, December.
    3. Kyriakos C. Neanidis & Maria Paola Rana, 2014. "Entrepreneurs, Risk Aversion and Dynamic Firms," Centre for Growth and Business Cycle Research Discussion Paper Series 190, Economics, The University of Manchester.
    4. M. Antonella Mancino, 2022. "A Search Model Of Early Employment Careers And Youth Crime," International Economic Review, Department of Economics, University of Pennsylvania and Osaka University Institute of Social and Economic Research Association, vol. 63(1), pages 329-390, February.
    5. Deng, Liuchun & Sun, Yufeng, 2017. "Criminal network formation and optimal detection policy: The role of cascade of detection," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 141(C), pages 43-63.
    6. Maria Berrittella & Carmelo Provenzano, 2016. "An Empirical Analysis of the Public Spending Decomposition on Organized Crime," Working Papers 2016.01, Fondazione Eni Enrico Mattei.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Individual versus organized crimes; Occupational choice; Crime composition; Interdiction and risk-sharing effects;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • K42 - Law and Economics - - Legal Procedure, the Legal System, and Illegal Behavior - - - Illegal Behavior and the Enforcement of Law
    • D83 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Search; Learning; Information and Knowledge; Communication; Belief; Unawareness

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