bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
An analysis of the victims of occupational fraud: a Canadian perspective
Authors: Peltier‐Rivest Dominic 
Published: January 2009

PurposeThis paper aims to describe and explain characteristics of organizations that are victims of occupational fraud.Design/methodology/approachThis study is based on a 2006 occupational fraud web survey conducted in Canada by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE).FindingsThe analysis shows that occupational fraud losses are quite large, accounting for a median loss of C$187,500 and a mean loss of C$1,142,494. These losses represent, respectively, 0.3 percent (median) and 9 percent (mean) of the victim organization's annual sales. Private companies, not‐for‐profit organizations and small businesses are particularly vulnerable to relatively larger fraud losses. It is also shown that the smaller the organization the more likely fraud losses will be relatively larger.Research limitations/implicationsThis study contributes to academia by measuring the statistical significance of the cost of occupational fraud per various organizational characteristics.Practical implicationsThis study is useful to regulatory agencies and anti‐fraud professionals because it provides information about what types of organizations are more vulnerable to fraud, thus indicating where prevention and detection efforts should be directed.Originality/valueThis paper is based on proprietary data owned by the ACFE and is the first to analyze the statistical significance of the consequences (cost) of occupational fraud in Canada.
Advance fee fraud “419” and investor confidence in the economies of sub‐Saharan African (SSA)
Authors: Fokuoh Ampratwum Edward 
Published: January 2009

PurposeThough many articles have been produced warning people of the inherent dangers of responding to this fraud, very little work has been done on the impact of the advance fee fraud on investment and overall economic development of countries in sub‐Saharan Africa. This paper aims to examine the nature and causes of the Nigerian “419” fraud.Design/methodology/approachBesides, underscoring the role of the political and historical situation of the sub‐region in exacerbating the fraud, the paper situates the discussion within the broader context of organized crimes perpetuated by Africans in Africa or elsewhere in the world.FindingsA relationship exists between crime rate and development and thus there is a need for transnational collaborative efforts in controlling and preventing these crimes. However, the gap between the economic fundamentals and investor confidence is puzzling.Originality/valueThe paper examines the link between perception of crime in Nigeria and Africa as a whole and the rate of investment flow to the continent.
Is crime Giffen?
Authors: Cain Michael 
Published: January 2009

PurposeThis paper aims to develop a utility maximising framework for criminal behaviour and to consider a Markowitz‐type utility function, centred at current wealth, for a representative criminal.Design/methodology/approachThe paper takes the form of a conceptual discussion.FindingsThe Kahneman‐Tversky value function form seems to be consistent with the current empirical evidence, expressed mainly as the ratio of certain elasticities. The criminal's optimal level of crime is obtained and comparative statics derived to help suggest how crime might be controlled.Research limitations/implicationsEmpirical work is encouraged to elicit the utility function of a representative criminal in this analytical framework, to ascertain if crime is a favourable bet and if it could indeed be Giffen.Originality/valueThe solution shown in the paper involves an upper limit on the odds against detection of the criminal and it is shown that a distinct possibility is that crime is a Giffen commodity.
Shari'ah's normative framework as to financial crime and abuse
Authors: El‐Rehim Mohamed Al‐Kashif Abd 
Published: January 2009

PurposeThere has been growth in Islamic finance both in Muslim countries and around the world during the last two decades. This has attracted interest of those concerned with combating crime in financial institutions. This article aims to highlight the Shari'ah law's normative framework in addressing the different aspects of financial crime.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is a general discussion of the substantive Islamic law (Koran, Haddiths, etc.) and begins with an introduction of the significance of property in Islam. It then focuses on the Shari'ah perspective on financial crime.FindingsIt is found that Islam has stressed and asserted the importance of honesty in business and monetary dealings. Acts negatively affecting the economy are prohibited by Shari'ah under the division of criminal law developed by Islamic jurisprudence.Originality/valueThe paper shows that Islamic law widens the circle of protection against financial crimes.
Income tax crime and government responses in the United States 1998‐2007
Authors: Wayne Cecil H. , Placid Raymond L. , Pacini Carl 
Published: January 2009

PurposeThe most recent IRS estimate puts the individual tax gap at $245 billion per year. This study seeks to develop and review performance measures for the seven most important IRS programs aimed at reducing the tax gap.Design/methodology/approachThe study develops and analyzes performance measures for the last ten years. The performance measures include discovery rates, penalty rates, penalty dollars, abatement rates, abatement dollars, collection activity rates, and criminal enforcement activities (number of special agents, investigations, referrals, indictments, sentences, and length of sentences).FindingsThe results are mixed regarding changes in performance measures. There was almost no change in audit rates and increases in other IRS discovery programs. There was a steady decrease in civil penalties for the first seven years followed by increases in latest three years. There were decreases in abatements for most penalties, a dramatic decrease in seizures, and significant increases in liens and levies. There were noteworthy decreases in the number of special agents and criminal investigations. The relatively small number of criminal investigation activities is surprising given the amount of the tax gap.Originality/valueThis study examines all major programs aimed at the individual tax gap.
Challenges that Russian banks face implementing the AML regulations
Authors: Subbotina Natalya 
Published: January 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyze the anti‐money laundering (AML) legislation created by the Russian regulator for the financial institutions with the aim to test banks' compliance with it.Design/methodology/approachComparative analyses based on the data, collected from in‐depth study of the regulator's legislation for financial institutions (banks), as well as interviews with practitioners and observation of banking practices. For this purpose, the activities of several banks were analyzed.FindingsThe main concluding remark is that practice so far has shown the failure of the financial institutions to comply with the AML regulation. The question arises if there is unwillingness or inability of the financial institutions to comply with the regulator's rules.Research limitations/implicationsThe analysis of the practical implementation of the AML legislations in the financial institutions focuses on the legislative base for the regulated, behavioral patterns of the banks in the AML prevention activity, and the conflicts and debates that have emerged within the domestic AML regime.Practical implicationsThe paper tries to test the efficiency of the domestic preventive AML regime in Russia. The formal legislative compliance of the domestic regime with the international standards and norms does not characterize the efficiency of the existing regime. How the AML legislation is applied in practice is the main focus of the analysis.Originality/valueStudies of the peculiarities of the AML legislation implementation in different countries is one of the helpful tools to measure the efficiency of the global AML regime.
Did blacklisting hurt the tax havens?
Authors: Kudrle Robert Thomas 
Published: January 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to test the widely‐held assumption that blacklisting, such as that practiced by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), affects the volume of financial activity associated with a tax haven.Design/methodology/approachARIMA (autoregressive integrated moving average) analysis is used to explore changes across eight measures of in banking‐associated activity that occurred when a tax haven was placed on, or removed from, one FATF and two OECD blacklists.FindingsThe results are highly varied. Most importantly, no substantial and consistent impact of blacklisting on banking investment in and out of the tax havens was found across 38 jurisdictions.Practical implicationsThe role of “speech acts” – unconnected with other developments in the havens or foreign actions beyond rhetoric – may not be as important for tax haven investment as previously thought.Originality/valueNo rigorous and comprehensive study has previously been done of this important question.
Banker as victim: an approach to money laundering prosecutions
Authors: Williams Terrence F. 
Published: January 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to discuss a novel approach to money laundering prosecutions that focuses on the deception of bankers as opposed to the original provenance of the funds.Design/methodology/approachConsiders decided cases and the theoretical bases for “Know Your Customer” (KYC) and Customer Due Diligence (CDD).FindingsNo examples were found of the approach outside of cases in the British Virgin Islands but firmly grounded in law.Practical implicationsProvides an alternative basis for money laundering prosecutions.Originality/valueProsecutors and investigators may find the approach useful and discussion on its use in other jurisdictions would be appreciated.
Political factors affecting AML/CFT efforts in post‐communist Eurasia
Authors: Götz Elias , Jonsson Michael 
Published: January 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of anti‐money laundering (AML) efforts and high‐risk sectors in Georgia, and explain changes in this field over time.Design/methodology/approachThis case‐study draws on a political economy‐approach, based on the argument that “political will” provides the best explanation for the quality of AML efforts in transitional economies, as opposed to “technical assistance” or the sophistication of the domestic financial system.FindingsThe study finds that AML efforts have drastically improved in Georgia following the Rose Revolution, even though significant high‐risk sectors remain and a certain tendency towards “selective implementation” of AML regulations can be detected.Research limitations/implicationsImplies that the “political will” of the ruling elite and the promotion thereof should be increasingly incorporated into research on AML, especially as regards explaining the quality of implementation and enforcement of existing laws.Practical implicationsImplies that technical peer evaluations resulting in “naming and shaming” of jurisdictions that do not live up to international AML standards may not in and by themselves be enough to further efficient implementation, but need to be complemented by policies creating incentives for the domestic political elite to encourage de facto implementation of de jure regulations.Originality/valueProvides the first comprehensive overview of AML efforts in Georgia and points to important explanatory factors underlying changes in this field.
The development of Islamic finance: Egypt as a case study
Authors: Galal Abdullah Mouawad Sherin 
Published: January 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyze the political and economic dilemma that Islamic finance (IF) poses on some Muslim Governments of either encouraging or restraining this global phenomenon; in spite of their awareness of the developmental role that IF plays. Egypt, in this concern represents a peculiar example where government's policies apparently determine the performance of Islamic financial institutions.Design/methodology/approachThe paper begins with an overview of IF and the momentums that catalyzed the development of IF in general and in Egypt in specific. It then analyses the policies of the Egyptian Government towards Islamic financial institutions since its inception in 1963 until 2007, with a specific focus on Islamic banks and Islamic companies. This is followed by a discussion on the current practices of these institutions in the Egyptian economy. Finally, the paper presents a prospect vision of the future path of Egypt in the field of IF.FindingsThe paper finds that the shares of IF in the Egyptian economy are modest at local, regional and global levels. Such backward position could be justified in the light of the governmental policies and their manipulation over the legal, economic and religious institutions in a way that restrain the performance of Islamic financial institutions. However, the responsibility is not solely the government's; Islamic financial institutions share part of such retreat due to their practices that divert them from their mission.Practical implicationsThe paper concludes that the nature of the Egyptian Government's attitudes towards IF stems from its tendency to maintain the stability of its economic system besides its suspicion to the nature of Islamic financial institutions and their links with Islamist groups. In addition, Islamic financial institutions suffer from administrative and legal problems that shape their practices and reveal their divergence from their Islamic and developmental role that they are supposed to play.Originality/valueIn the final analysis, the paper offers an insight into prospective development of IF in Egypt on both local and external levels.
Anti‐money laundering under Turkish law
Authors: Okuyucu Güneş 
Published: January 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyze the anti‐money laundering legislation and its implementation under Turkish law. The steps taken to combat money laundering in Turkey and the importance of combating money laundering for Turkey are also analyzed in the paper.Design/methodology/approachIn the paper the main features of the Turkish anti‐money laundering laws and regulations of general and specific nature, as well as the authorities and implementations of the Turkish anti‐money laundering authority, namely the Financial Crimes Investigation Board (Mali Suçlar Araştırma Kurulu – MASAK), are analyzed.FindingsCombating money‐laundering has a particular importance for Turkey in the achievement of its goal of becoming a European Union member. Having examined the Turkish anti‐money laundering legislation and its implementation, it can be mentioned that certain major steps have already been taken by Turkey as a candidate for the European Union accession and as a member to several international conventions against money laundering.Originality/valueIn the paper the main features of the Turkish anti‐money laundering laws and regulations of general and specific nature, as well as the authorities and implementations of the Turkish anti‐money laundering authority are analyzed. The paper underlines the importance of combating money laundering for Turkey in order to become a member of the European Union.
Sustainable development
Authors: Christensen Per , Thrane Mikkel , Herreborg Jørgensen Tine , Lehmann Martin 
Published: January 2009

PurposeThis article aims to discuss the contradiction between signing an agreement to work for sustainable universities and the lack of practical commitment in one case, namely at Aalborg University (AAU). Focus is placed both on the University's core processes such as education, research and outreach; on the necessary inputs and outputs related to transport, food and operation, and maintenance of buildings, and on the university's products counting published results of research and educated students and researchers.Design/methodology/approachThe study is based on a desk study of official university documents from the period 1990 to 2007, and a number of student reports that have focused on the sustainability or environmental merits of the University.FindingsAlthough adopting an environmental policy and signing the Copernicus Charter back in the early 1990s, AAU soon lost momentum. This was due to reasons defined as: the lack of commitment from top management, the missing acceptance from technical staff, and a narrow understanding of the university's environmental impacts. Obviously, a model of the environmental impacts should not only take into account the environmental impacts related to the impacts occurring in the present, e.g. related to the running and maintenance of buildings and laboratories, but also integrate considerations about the impacts in the processes (education, research and outreach). Thereby, the model shall provide the basis for more sustainable products, such as students considering aspects of sustainability in the solutions and approaches they apply in their future careers.Research limitations/implicationsThis article forms the basis for future research identifying how universities can contribute to sustainable development in a more coherent way by implementing new policies and plans. The article takes its starting point in a general model of a university's environmental impacts involving key processes at the university, the related inputs and outputs (emissions), and the transformation of intermediate products such as high school students and existing research results into products such as graduate students, PhDs, and new research results.Practical implicationsThe processes and the related inputs, outputs, intermediate products, and end‐products are analysed and discussed in order to illustrate the relevant environmental issues that need to be addressed by universities.Originality/valueThe paper identifies a number of key issues of sustainability that universities need to address and offers inspiration to staff and students on how to push these agendas at their home universities.
Improving group processes in transdisciplinary case studies for sustainability learning
Authors: Hansmann Ralf , Crott Helmut W. , Mieg Harald A. , Scholz Roland W. 
Published: January 2009

PurposeDeficient group processes such as conformity pressure can lead to inadequate group decisions with negative social, economic, or environmental consequences. The study aims to investigate how a group technique (called INFO) improves students' handling of conformity pressure and their collective judgments in the context of a transdisciplinary case study (TCS) for sustainability learning.Design/methodology/approachThe improvement of normative functioning and output (INFO) group technique was tested in a field experiment embedded in a TCS. The INFO technique involves individual and group assessments of task difficulty. The experiment compares the performance of student groups assigned to control and experimental conditions in estimation tasks related to environmental planning and rail traffic.FindingsThe INFO interventions significantly improved the accuracy of group estimates compared to the control conditions. Applying the group technique could promote student's learning and facilitate the search for sustainable solutions in a TCS.Practical implicationsResults indicate that individually and collectively analyzing and discussing difficulties of a task as suggested by the INFO group technique can help students improve collective judgments on real world issues.Originality/valueGroup techniques are a prominent type of TCS methods as group processes are crucial for sustainability learning. First, this study applies the INFO group technique in a TCS in order to evaluate and further develop the technique.
Using reflective journals in a sustainable design studio
Authors: Betrabet Gulwadi Gowri 
Published: January 2009

PurposeThis paper seeks to introduce a pedagogical method used in a design studio as part of a curriculum‐greening process to encourage reflection on the complexity of sustainability and sustainable design. Online reflective journals were used in two semesters of a sustainable design studio to develop students' awareness and understanding of concepts relating to sustainability and sustainable design.Design/methodology/approachIn the first seven weeks of a semester‐long senior design studio, interior design students recorded their reflections on readings and in‐class discussions on sustainable thinking, sustainable actions and sustainable design. The content analysis of the journal entries (n=226) of two such groups of students (n=30) from two different semesters are presented in this paper. In assessing the pedagogical effectiveness of the technique in the design studio, Hatton and Smith's framework on the four operational aspects of reflection – descriptive, descriptive reflection, dialogic reflection, and critical reflection – is used to discuss the levels of reflection in the journal entries.FindingsAll four levels of reflection are represented in the journal entries analyzed for this paper. Results indicate that depth and complexity of thought are possible to achieve within a semester long course and can be used as a starting point for design development using complex concepts such as sustainability.Originality/valueThe pedagogical effectiveness of reflective journal writing in a sustainable design studio is assessed. By adding a reflective writing component to a design studio format that otherwise primarily engages students' visual and verbal skills, the paper offers one approach to greening the design curriculum.