NCJ Number
137534
Journal
Journal of Contemporary Criminal Justice Volume: 8 Issue: 1 Dated: (February 1992) Pages: 11-35
Date Published
1992
Length
25 pages
Annotation
Cressey's model of organized crime has had a major and lasting influence on discussions of the subject. The subsequent research literature on the subject demonstrates the complexity of organized criminal activity.
Abstract
Like others, Cressey used business and economic metaphors to discuss the structure, function, and mystiques of La Cosa Nostra (LCN). The elements of the LCN model are useful for analysis, although they are vulnerable in some respects. Among these elements are (1) the rationality of criminal activities undertaken by LCN, (2) the viability of LCN families as a function of their skill in adjusting to changes in their operational environments, and (3) a hierarchical system of authority and command. However, other research has shown the existence of a variety of organizational formats for generating illegal profits and infiltrating legitimate businesses. Since Cressey's work, the research tends to show that the model depends largely on the perspective of the observer. Thus, Cressey viewed organized crime from the top down, whereas Ianni views it from the inside and emphasizes the informal aspects of relationships. In addition, Albanese has offered helpful clarifications on the problem of definitions. Appendix discussing Albini's work, footnotes, and 29 references