Employee Theft and the Coastal South Carolina Hospitality Industry: Incidence, Detection, and Response (Survey Results 2000, 2005)

Abstract

This longitudinal, empirical study of the Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, tourism industry examines employee theft and employers' strategies for detecting it. An extensive questionnaire collected information from tourism managers of restaurants, hotels, golf courses, and attractions. Over 50 per cent reported one or more incidents of employee theft; the dollar value of the thefts more than doubled from 2000 to 2005. Perpetrators were typically younger males who frequently targeted cash and inventory. They were caught through internal controls, special investigations, and whistleblowers. Tourism managers may need training in more sophisticated control strategies to combat the high-dollar theft threat.