Abstract
What are the key structural features of gangs? How do these organizational characteristics affect gang activities? Law enforcement (Fox and Amador, 1993), media sources, the popular press and some government agencies (Conly, 1993) support the view that gangs are well organized and that gang activities reflect this reality. From this perspective, gangs are perceived as highly organized, well-coordinated, and efficient organizations that function much like a corporation. From this view, gangs have clearly articulated goals, motivate well-disciplined members toward the achievement of these goals, and operate with financial efficiency and rationality. Over time, disorganized aggregations of predatory individuals evolve into formal-rational gangs that purposively engage in crimes motivated and organized by the gang. However, an alternative view argues that most gangs are not well organized, and that the behavior of gang members reflects their status as adolescents. This issue has important implications for both prevention and intervention, and it bears on a central question about the nature of criminal behavior. However, little empirical evidence addresses these questions. In this paper, I review the results of interviews with gangs in three different cities, differentiating between the structural characteristics and organizational features of gangs. The emphasis is primarily on organizational features.
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Decker, S.H. (2001). The Impact of Organizational Features on Gang Activities and Relationships. In: Klein, M.W., Kerner, HJ., Maxson, C.L., Weitekamp, E.G.M. (eds) The Eurogang Paradox. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-010-0882-2_2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-010-0882-2_2
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