An Investigation of Special Collections Library Theft

White Collar Crime In Museums

“…Rather, it is a social construct.” Robin (, 262) defined occupational crime “to include all violations that occur during the course of occupational activity and are related to employment.” Braithwaite () pointed out that occupational crime is a much less consistent category arguing that there are differences between an employee committing WCC against an employer compared to a professional individual like a medical consultant or solicitor cheating a client. Mounce and Mounce (, 99) developed this further by defining WCC and occupational crime as “the use of ones occupation for personal enrichment through deliberate misuse or misapplication of the employing organisation's resources and assets.” Hollinger and Davis (, 223) highlighted that “employee theft and staff dishonesty is not an easily understood phenomenon. It is hard to measure, difficult to theoretically explain, and almost impossible to prevent.” Brightman (, 3) had a broader definition that included “virtually any non‐violent act committed for financial gain, regardless of one's social status.…”

“…This article focuses on crimes committed by employees in the museum sector during the course of their employment. Therefore, for the purposes of this study, the following definition of WCC will be used “the use of one's occupation for personal enrichment through the deliberate misuse or misapplication of the employing organisation's resources or assets.” (Mounce and Mounce , 99).…”