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The study of risk has included significant attention to perceptions of risk. In addition to characteristics of the hazard, prior research indicates that citizen perceptions of risk are driven by sociopolitical factors including status, alienation, and trust. These dimensions are, in turn, shaped by gender, race, age, and education. Within criminology, similar patterns have been identified in studies of the fear of crime. This paper attempts to contribute to our understanding of risk perception by analyzing several of the most important and publicly discussed risks in contemporary society: terrorism, border security, and climate change. The paper tests the extent to which common dimensions shape the perception of risk across these domains and the extent to which sociopolitical worldview distinguish the perceptions of these risks. The data come from a survey of residents of the state of Michigan conducted in the fall of 2007. ..PAT.-Unpublished Manuscript [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The international trade in electronic waste (E-Waste) such as computers, LCDs, cell phones, and circuit boards, has received increasing attention from environmental advocacy groups, the United Nations Environment Program, and governments. Of particular concern is the international trade in E-Waste whereby developed nations ship E-Waste to developing nations that are ill-equipped to properly recycle or dispose of the waste, resulting in toxic dumping and significant hazards to human health and the environment. E-Waste has received minimal attention from criminologists as national and international laws vary significantly on whether such export is criminal or even subject to regulation. Yet, there seems to be growing consensus that the export of E-Waste represents an environmental and human health risk and that some combination of regulatory and criminal enforcement may be warranted as tools for risk management. In addition, some authorities have alleged a connection between organized crime and the international movement of E-Waste. This paper provides an overview of risks associated with exporting E-Waste to developing nations and an assessment of gaps in the U.S. regulatory framework designed to address it. Data gathered from multiple methods on the scope and structure of the E-Waste market are presented along with discussion of the challenges of collecting data on such largely unregulated and hidden markets. ..PAT.-Unpublished Manuscript [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is charged with monitoring and enforcing environmental laws. Most of the existing studies of environmental deterrence have examined the effect of EPA monitoring on plant-level compliance. However, the corporate crime literature suggests that the parent company is another relevant unit of analysis. In addition, EPA authority extends beyond monitoring; the agency uses a variety of sanctions to enforce environmental laws. In the current study, firm response to EPA sanctions is explored using a unique data set. The data contain a record of EPA sanctions and firm self-reports of discharges regulated under the Clean Water Act over a six year period. Sanctions will be split into informal and formal actions to determine whether the two enforcement strategies are equally effective. ..PAT.-Unpublished Manuscript [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACTMany states have created natural resource agencies to manage, conserve, and protect natural resources for future generations. Conservation or natural resource officers (COs) are charged with the law enforcement component of this mission. This study examines the roles, responsibilities, skills, and competencies of COs. Using focus group, interview, and survey data from COs and supervisors in several state agencies, traditional and contemporary roles and responsibilities of COs will be defined. In addition, the most important skills and/or competencies of COs will be determined. Finally, efficiency of trainings will be examined by comparing the skills COs need and the training they receive. ..PAT.-Unpublished Manuscript [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A variety of firm-level factors are important to understand the etiology of corporate crime (e.g., profitability, diversification, structural complexity, size, and ethical climate). Most of these factors have been identified from studies of offenders; few explanations are derived from the study of conformity. In this study, I add a concept that may be especially relevant in understanding the high degree of conformity in the environmental area-- corporate citizenship, defined as the degree to which firm culture promotes or inhibits a moral commitment to society that is broader than "mere compliance." I will explore the relationship between corporate citizenship and firm record of violation, mere compliance, and overcompliance (polluting less than legally allowed) with EPA water standards. Analyses cover a six year period (95-00), include companies in three manufacturing industries (pulp and paper, steel, oil refining), and control for other firm-level factors related to corporate behavior. ..PAT.-Unpublished Manuscript [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A variety of firm-level factors are important to understand the etiology of corporate crime (e.g., profitability, diversification, structural complexity, size, and ethical climate). However, most of these factors have been identified from studies of financial crimes, antitrust in particular. The few studies that have examined other types of violations, such as Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) violations, find less support for these specific predictors. In this study, I add a concept that may be especially relevant in understanding other types of crimes: corporate social performance, defined as a sense of obligation to society above and beyond the economic function and legal performance of the firm. I will examine whether corporate social performance predicts compliance with EPA water standards over a six year period (95-00) for firms in three manufacturing industries (pulp and paper, steel, oil refining) while controlling for other firm-level factors related to offending. Despite theoretical fuzziness, scholars have linked social performance to firm profitability; therefore, social performance will likely operate in tandem with financial performance. Analyses will explore the direct effects of social performance on crime as well as indirect effects through profitability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]