Title: Influence of white-collar crime on corporate reputation: an opinion survey of chief financial officers

Authors: Petter Gottschalk, Hans Solli-Sather

Addresses: Norwegian School of Management, Nydalsveien, 0484, Oslo, Norway. ' Norwegian School of Management, Nydalsveien, 0484, Oslo, Norway

Abstract: It seems to be a common view that white-collar crime scandals can cause serious damage to company reputation. Based on a survey of opinions among chief financial officers, this common view is supported. However, the damage in extent and duration may vary depending on the company being an offender or a victim. White-collar crime can be defined in terms of the offence, the offender or both. If white-collar crime is defined in terms of the offence, it means crime against property for personal or organisational gain. It is a property crime committed by non-physical means and by concealment or deception. If white-collar crime is defined in terms of the offender, it means crime committed by upper class members of society for personal or organisational gain. It is individuals who are wealthy, highly educated, and socially connected, and they are typically employed by and in legitimate organisations.

Keywords: company reputations; white-collar crime; chief financial officers; CFOs; opinion surveys; corporate offenders; corporate victims; criminal offences; property crimes; personal gain; organisational gain; non-physical crimes; concealment; deception; upper class; society; social classes; wealthy individuals; highly educated individuals; socially connected individuals; social connections; legitimate organisations; employees; Norway; corporate governance.

DOI: 10.1504/IJCG.2011.041149

International Journal of Corporate Governance, 2011 Vol.2 No.2, pp.95 - 105

Published online: 11 Jul 2011 *

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