Transcript Market Constraints and Entrepreneurial Solutions*A Theory of

From Drug Traffickers to Human Smugglers:
Ways To Explore Organized Crime
Sheldon X. Zhang, Ph.D.
San Diego State University
Department of Sociology
5500 Campanile Drive
San Diego, CA 92182-4423
Tel: (619) 594-5449; FAX: (619) 594-1325
Email: [email protected]
What Do They Share in Common?
◦ Drug Trafficking Organizations
◦ Human Smuggling Organizations
Views on Organized Crime
◦ Structural
◦ Corporate Model
◦ Enterprise Model
◦ Structural Continuum
◦ Social Networks
◦ ethnic groups,
◦ friends and family members, etc.
My Views on Exploring Organized Crime
Territorial
Non-Territorial
◦ Hierarchical with discernible
leadership structure
◦ Non-hierarchical
◦ Command driven
◦ Clear division of labor
◦ Collaborative rather than command
driven
◦ Varied in sizes
◦ Clear division of labor
◦ Task force orientation
◦ Small groups
Operations
Territorial
Non-Territorial
◦ Local or neighborhood
◦ Trans-territorial
◦ Self-perpetuating with stable patronclient relationship
◦ Short term projects
◦ Tendency towards monopoly
◦ Rules and regulations set by participants
◦ Official corruption
◦ Coordinated through specialized tasks
◦ Entrepreneurial
◦ Official corruption
Identity and Membership
Territorial
◦ Restricted/exclusive membership
◦ Recruitment based on connection
and capability
◦ Time-honored traditions, rituals and
code of conduct
◦ Life time membership
◦ Multi-generational
Non-Territorial
◦ Association through fortuitous social or
family contacts
◦ Membership based solely on logistical
needs
◦ No formal rituals
◦ No group identity or articulated
organizational rules
◦ Membership operational and loyalty
non-obgliatory
Role of Violence
Territorial
Non-Territorial
◦ To enforce contract
◦ To enforce contract
◦ To eliminate competition
◦ To coerce client cooperation
◦ To discipline group members
◦ To maintain control during
smuggling/trafficking operations
◦ To resolve inter-triad conflicts
Dyadic Transactions
Financial
guarantors
Contacts
who know
potential
migrants
Government
officials
Client
Recruiter
Document
Vendors
Other
snakeheads
Recruitors
Other
snakeheads
Other
snakeheads
Vehicle
operators
Fee
collecotrs
Transportor
Receiver
Logistic
suppliers
Other
snakeheads
Safehouse
operators
Sequential Uncertainty
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Limited clientele
Opportunities
Illegal movement
Threat of law
enforcement
Unpredictable
Market
Dyadic
Transactions
Serial
Dependency
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Operational complexity
Sporadic launches
Operational Hazards
Payment problems
• Self preservation
• Profit protection
Focal Concerns
• Small and close social
networks
• Limited hiearchy
• Clear division of labor
• Temporary alliance
THANK YOU!