Metatheoretical Issues in the Study of Organized Crime

Abstract

This paper attempts to contribute to the development of theoretical integration in the study of organized crime by proposing a framework that draws attention to some of the factors that have shaped several different areas of substantive inquiry. The substantive issues are categorized in terms of the emphasis that has been given to the individual, interaction, organization, and emergence/social change. The paper attempts to show how these issues can provide a holistic understanding of organized crime.