Criminogenic antecedents – dynamics of employee criminal behaviour in business organisations

The paper helps business organisations understand the broad range of criminogenic factors and processes that influence criminal behaviour. This knowledge has important implications for the formulation and implementation of measures aimed at deterring this behaviour in business organisations.

Employee criminal behaviour in businesses is influenced by both organisational factors (organisational structure and culture, leadership, followership, ethical climate) and individual factors (self-regulatory capabilities, moral values, beliefs about leader-follower exchanges, narcissism, Machiavellianism, hubris). These elements interact to shape employee criminal behaviour and are subject to the influence of criminogenic processes such as displacement of responsibility, moral disengagement, rationalisation, groupthink and management by obedience.