engleski

White collar crime in Croatia and its impact on economic competitiveness

Economic competitiveness is not only a broadly accepted market value, but also one of the pillars of each society in the context of today’s global economy. Most prominent in this respect is probably the Global Competitiveness Index used for ranking the world’s economies. And since gaining a competitive edge is essential for economic advancement, it is often too tempting to restrain from achieving it at all costs, especially by means of criminal conduct. Therefore, economic criminal law is, and should be, in todays’ globalised world, transnational in nature and governed by international instruments, such as the UNConvention Against Corruption. Economic competitiveness is not only one of the goals of white collar criminals, as it leads to financial gain, but it is simultaneously also one of the many, often faceless, victims of white collar crime (economic criminal law protects both the individual and the collective Rechtsgut). Therefore, a holistic approach to the phenomenon of economic competitiveness, needs to include a normative and empirical study of white collar crime. Hence, the authors analyse current trends in white collar crime in Croatia and discuss their impact on economic competitiveness. The analysis deals with the problem at hand from a criminal law and criminological perspective, combining an interdisciplinary approach with multiple research methods (statistical data analysis, case studies, interviews with key players etc.). Moreover, the article determines causes and modus operandi, thus offering prospective solutions, in order to minimise the harmful effects of white collar crime on the free market and society as a whole.

white collar crime, Croatia, economic competitiveness

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