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The Evolution of Vocabularies and Its Relation to Investigation of White-Collar Crimes: An Institutional Work Perspective

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  • Abhijeet Vadera
  • Ruth Aguilera

Abstract

White-collar crimes are illegal and unethical actions by agents of an organization. In this paper, we address two related research questions concerning white-collar crime—how did the language of white-collar crime evolve? And how did this language co-evolve with the investigation of white-collar crime? Building on research on institutional work, we find that key institutional actors such as the Presidential Office are likely to use frames and adopt a particular language (i.e., the term “white-collar crime”) in order to legitimize institutional practices (i.e., investigation of white-collar crimes). Conversely, less powerful actors such as the law enforcement agencies are then likely to use narratives to shape language in order to mobilize other stakeholders to continue the adoption of the referent practice. We uncover these findings by using qualitative methodology and trend analysis. We conclude with a detailed theoretical discussion of the role of institutional actors in institutional work and the implications of our research. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2015

Suggested Citation

  • Abhijeet Vadera & Ruth Aguilera, 2015. "The Evolution of Vocabularies and Its Relation to Investigation of White-Collar Crimes: An Institutional Work Perspective," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 128(1), pages 21-38, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jbuset:v:128:y:2015:i:1:p:21-38
    DOI: 10.1007/s10551-014-2079-x
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Royston Greenwood & Amalia Magán Díaz & Stan Xiao Li & José Céspedes Lorente, 2010. "The Multiplicity of Institutional Logics and the Heterogeneity of Organizational Responses," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 21(2), pages 521-539, April.
    2. Gwyn, William B., 1974. "Establishing Ombudsman Offices: Recent Experience in the United States. Transcript of the Ombudsman WORKSHOP, Honolulu, Hawaii, May 5–7, 1971. Edited by Stanley V. Anderson and John E. Moore. (Berkele," American Political Science Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 68(4), pages 1752-1753, December.
    3. Ruth Aguilera & Abhijeet Vadera, 2008. "The Dark Side of Authority: Antecedents, Mechanisms, and Outcomes of Organizational Corruption," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 77(4), pages 431-449, February.
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    Cited by:

    1. Karol Marek Klimczak & Alejo José G. Sison & Maria Prats & Maximilian B. Torres, 2022. "How to Deter Financial Misconduct if Crime Pays?," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 179(1), pages 205-222, August.
    2. Rafael Alcadipani & Cíntia Rodrigues Oliveira Medeiros, 2020. "When Corporations Cause Harm: A Critical View of Corporate Social Irresponsibility and Corporate Crimes," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 167(2), pages 285-297, November.
    3. Nite, Calvin, 2017. "Message framing as institutional maintenance: The National Collegiate Athletic Association’s institutional work of addressing legitimate threats," Sport Management Review, Elsevier, vol. 20(4), pages 338-351.

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