Inside Criminal Networks

What do an illegal drug importer, a stolen car exporter, a Hells Angels member, an accountant, and an airplane hijacker have in common? Like most people, they all operate in social networks—and at times, they come together in criminal networks which, though tightly structured and controlled, undergo...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Morselli, Carlo
Format: eBook
Language:English
Published: New York, NY Springer New York 2009, 2009
Edition:1st ed. 2009
Series:Studies of Organized Crime
Subjects:
Online Access:
Collection: Springer eBooks 2005- - Collection details see MPG.ReNa
Description
Summary:What do an illegal drug importer, a stolen car exporter, a Hells Angels member, an accountant, and an airplane hijacker have in common? Like most people, they all operate in social networks—and at times, they come together in criminal networks which, though tightly structured and controlled, undergo constant change. Inside Criminal Networks takes a social network perspective to a variety of illegal enterprises, focusing on these organizations’ "flexible order" and the collective coping and adjustment strategies of offenders when key members or opportunities are lost. Rich with communication data, electronic surveillance material, and other law-enforcement investigative sources, case studies pursue a number of analytical paths into the partnerships, pecking orders, and situations in flux (e.g., street gang presence within drug distribution), and identify central challenges to research (e.g., are these failed networks if members are arrested?). Flexibility is revealed as a driving force as the book examines: Operational structures and dynamics. Roles of key and peripheral players. The tentative balance between efficiency and security. Criminal network positions and individual traits. Uses of legitimate actors in illegal settings. Adaptation when networks are disrupted. Compellingly written and meticulously presented, Inside Criminal Networks offers rare up-close insights to readers in the criminology and organized crime research fields, and to social network theorists and analysts
Physical Description:XII, 204 p. 32 illus online resource
ISBN:9780387095264