Contemporary gangs : an organizational analysis / Deborah Lamm Weisel.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Weisel, Deborah Lamm.

Series:

Criminal justice (LFB Scholarly Publishing LLC)

Criminal justice

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Gangs--United States--Case studies.

Gangs.

Gangs--Illinois--Chicago--Case studies.

Gangs--California--San Diego--Case studies.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (234 p.)

Place of Publication:

New York : LFB Scholarly Pub., 2002.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

Contemporary gangs are persistent despite efforts to control them. Theories of gangs explain the emergence of gangs but offer little insight into their persistence and growth. Weisel examined the organizational characteristics of four criminal gangs. Although large gangs appear disorganized, they are not ephemeral groups. Instead the gangs feature characteristics of organic-adaptive organizations rather than hierarchical or bureaucratic organizations. As such, these gangs feature blended goals, shared decision making, a structure based on subdivisions, and a generalist orientation. Such features promote efficiency in a highly volatile environment and contribute to increases in the size and number of contemporary gangs in America.

Contents:

Intro

Contents

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

1 INTRODUCTION

2 Understanding Gangs: Contributions Of Research And Theory

3 RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODOLOGICAL APPROACH

4 ORGANIZATIONAL FEATURES OF FOUR GANGS

5 SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION

APPENDIX

NOTES

BIBLIOGRAPHY

INDEX.

Notes:

Bibliographic Level Mode of Issuance: Monograph

Includes bibliographical references (p. 205-224) and index.

ISBN:

1-280-36125-5

9786610361250

1-59332-033-7

OCLC:

614582607