Does individual personality contribute to the occurrences of white collar crime? A qualitative study

A qualitative study

Abstract

This article aims to address the factors contribute to the occurrence of white collar crime in Malaysia among Royal Malaysia Police’ officers who have the experience handling the cases before. This paper adopt qualitative method by applying the case study approach via semi-structured interview among five police officers form Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID), Royal Malaysia Police (RMP). The semi-structured interview was focus on the factors might contributed to white collar crime. The data is analysed by using computer-aided qualitative data analysis software Atlas.ti version 8. It was concluded that characteristic of the individual was one of the factors contributed to the occurrence of white collar crime. According to convenience theory, the characteristic of individual was fall into personal behaviour which was has related to behavioural aspect. There were seven characteristics included such does not know the punishment, careless, educated, ego, habit, lack of integrity and professional. The study contributed the body of knowledge in understanding the occurrences of white collar crime. This present study also might be useful for the government, policy maker and organizations in increasing their awareness towards the crime. This qualitative study provided the opinion, views, and beliefs of the participants toward the occurrence of white collar crime. Therefore, by identifying the factors that contributed to the crime might extend the area of the study in white collar crime study. Besides, the solution suggested by the participants also useful for to curb the occurrence of white collar crime.