White Collar Crime and Enron

Paper Summary:

In this article, the writer notes that in the past decade, fraud, corruption and crime have emerged as the greatest threats to economic development and business management. The list of companies that have been economically crippled by white collar crime continues to grow, as the lives of their corresponding CEOs and board of directors are subject to ruin in the process. The writer points out that the fall of Enron remains one of the most notable accounting scandals involving white collar criminals. This paper analyzes the actions of various individuals portrayed in the film 'Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room', and examines their actions under theories attributable to white collar crimes. Finally, the paper concludes by explaining the concept of the micro-macro connection through utilization of the casual analysis in the paper.

Outline:
Introduction
Instances of White Collar Crime Portrayed in the Film
Theoretical Behavior Analysis
Social-Psychological Theory
Strain Theory
Organization Theory
Differential Association Theory
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"The actions of Kenneth Lay and Jeffrey Skilling can be analyzed under social-psychological theory as it relates to white collar crime. Social-psychological theory attempts to explain how the thoughts, feelings and behaviors of individuals are influenced by other people. This theory places a great deal of emphasis on the immediate social situation and the interaction between person and situation variables. When Enron executives followed directions from its accounting firm, Arthur Andersen, to destroy documents, they acted in accordance with social-psychological theory. Although the document destruction at Enron was specifically to cover up the state of the company, employees followed it because they either figured that they had no choice, or would be terminated if they refused or were scared to be a whistleblower."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Canto, V. (2002). How Enron Failed. Retrieved November 14, 2007 from http://www.nationalreview.com/nrof_canto/cantoprint01402.html.
• Friedrichs, D. (2006). Trusted criminals: White Collar Crime in Contemporary Society. Wadsworth Publishing.
• Kadlec, D. (2002). Enron: Who's Accountable? Retrieved November 11, 2007 from http://www.time.com/time/business/printout/0,8816,193520,00.html.
• Schlegel, K. & Wersburd, D. (1992). White Collar Crime Reconsidered. Northeastern University Press.

More papers on White Collar Crime and Enron:

• Essay # 62790 : "White Collar Crime"
• Essay # 72072 : "White Collar Crime"
• Term Paper # 127150 : "White Collar Crime"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: