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The Structure of Trade-type and Governance-type Organized Crime Groups: A Network Study

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  • Niles Breuer
  • Federico Varese

Abstract

The paper provides a theoretical framework for categorizing organized crime groups based on what they do – whether they produce, trade or govern – as well as their aims. This paper then tests whether the internal structure of a heroin distribution organization in New York City, a Sicilian mafia group and the Provisional Irish Republican Army differ. Applying Exponential Random Graph Models (ERGMs) methods to network data, we find the organizational structure of trade-type organized crime differs markedly from governance-type, as well as between financially-motivated and politically-motivated groups. Trade-type organized crime and financially-motivated groups display a high level of centralization, an even distribution of clustering values, short paths and low homophily. Governance-type organized crime and politically-motivated groups display the opposite features. We conclude that the core activity and aim of the group are crucial in understanding the organizational structure.

Suggested Citation

  • Niles Breuer & Federico Varese, 2023. "The Structure of Trade-type and Governance-type Organized Crime Groups: A Network Study," The British Journal of Criminology, Centre for Crime and Justice Studies, vol. 63(4), pages 867-888.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:crimin:v:63:y:2023:i:4:p:867-888.
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10.1093/bjc/azac065
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Hunter, David R. & Handcock, Mark S. & Butts, Carter T. & Goodreau, Steven M. & Morris, Martina, 2008. "ergm: A Package to Fit, Simulate and Diagnose Exponential-Family Models for Networks," Journal of Statistical Software, Foundation for Open Access Statistics, vol. 24(i03).
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    3. Lucia Cavallaro & Annamaria Ficara & Pasquale De Meo & Giacomo Fiumara & Salvatore Catanese & Ovidiu Bagdasar & Wei Song & Antonio Liotta, 2020. "Disrupting resilient criminal networks through data analysis: The case of Sicilian Mafia," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 15(8), pages 1-22, August.
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