Analyzing the Behavioral Patterns of Corrupt Officials in China: A Sequential Approach.

• In Event: Trajectories and Patterns of White-Collar and Corporate Offending

Abstract

The study of white-collar criminals is increasingly shifting towards an analysis of their behaviors and experiences before committing offenses. Scholars have explored various personal factors linked to these offenders, ranging from individual characteristics to broader life course studies. However, a gap remains in understanding how these behavioral and experiential factors align and progress over time. To bridge this gap, we analyze a group of convicted corrupt officials from 2013 to 2023 in China, utilizing detailed data for a sequence analysis of their behaviors, experiences, and corrupt actions. We employ proximity coefficients to explore the connections between various variables, both in immediate and broader contexts. Our research uncovers distinct stages in the corrupt officials' criminal paths, emphasizing the significance of career advancement and controlling behaviors in their progression. The study sheds new light on the life trajectories of white-collar criminals and offers insights into potential intervention points and directions for future research.

Author

• Hongming Cheng, University of Saskatchewan