Encyclopedia of White-Collar Crime

Jurg Gerber & Eric L. Jensen

Language: English

Publisher: Greenwood

Published: Dec 30, 2006

Description:

The high profile collapse of Enron, WorldCom, and Arthur Andersen are recent examples of corporate scandals that have rocked the business world. This comprehensive encyclopedia covers the history and current state of major corporate and other forms of white-collar crime. While emphasis is placed on contemporary events, the most significant events from the history of white-collar crime are included as well. Geographic coverage focuses on events in English speaking parts of the world, but major cases in other countries are also included.

From Union Carbide's deadly man-made disaster at Bhopal, to the oily mess caused by the Exxon Valdez, to the financial shennanigans that brought down Barings Bank, to Jim Bakker's daliances and the fall of the PTL empire, this no-holds-barred comprehensive encyclopedia of white-collar crime leaves no stone unturned in its exhaustive inventory of malfeasance committed by the wealthy. After an essay on the historiography of white-collar crime, roughly 200 alphabetically arranged entries (written by leading scholars in the field) provide an in-depth look into the various aspects of white-collar crime, describing people, laws, companies, types of crimes, and events.

Review

"Recent scandals in the business community--from Enron to Martha Stewart--have led business schools and criminal justice programs to beef up their offerings on white-collar crime and business ethics. In line with this trend, editors Gerber and Jensen have assembled a concise guide covering the major cases, corporations, organizations, and key players. Researchers will find over 120 entries ranging from the topical (price fixing, nursing home fraud) to people (Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker). Specific corporations (Archer Daniels Midland, Halliburton) play a major part too. Besides companies, government agencies and scandals are singled out (Iran-Contra, OSHA), and some historical events are taken into account (Teapot Dome scandal). Particularly strong at providing background information on consumer issues (false advertising, 900 numbers), this encyclopedia is also global in scope. Most entries range from one to three pages and include a bibliography. Libraries needing to fill a gap will find this volume useful….Recommended. All levels."

Choice

"The work commences with a discourse that includes a potpourri of white collar crime definitions. Distinguished contributors readily seize opportunities to present significant and informative discussions throughout the carefully constructed passages. Scholars offer their expertise in a meaningful and deliberate manner. The brief entries provide a pleasant reading experience as observed in the suitably organized and easy-to-read format. Notable citations incorporated after each entry entice readers to further investigation….The Encyclopedia of White Collar Crime represents an excellent contribution to libraries in the United States….The content would serve as an excellent reference for the advanced study of white collar crime."

American Reference Books Annual

"An interesting and absorbing look at the historical, economic and social aspects of white-collar crime."

Reference Reviews

"This alphabetical encyclopedia contains terms relating to white- collar crime, a not-often academically studied topic. Gerber and Jensen select topics based on the tradition of Edwin Sutherland, who invented the term and officially defined the field; they focus on corporate and organizational crime over occupational, as well as contemporary and historical cases, societies in North America, Europe, and Asia, and theoretical explanations. Examples of entries: Ponzi Scheme, Enron, Exxon Valdez , identity theft, the cruise line industry, OSHA, Michael Milken, junk bonds, insider trading, Jimmy Swaggart, Lee Iacocca, and price fixing."

Reference & Research Book News

About the Author

Jurg Gerber is Professor of Criminal Justice at Sam Houston State University. He has co-edited two books on drug policy and has published on white-collar crime, comparative criminology, and criminal justice education.

Eric L. Jensen is Professor of Sociology at the University of Idaho, where he specializes in drug policy, applied research methods, juvenile justice, and comparative criminology. He has co-edited two books and numerous articles on drug policy and has also published articles on juvenile justice, juvenile delinquency, and white-collar crime.