Just-in-Time Transnational Organized Crime: Just Another Adaptive Supply Chain

There has been much research conducted on the theme of organized crime. Researchers have considered a variety of typologies of organized crime groups, discussed whether crime groups are organized or disorganized in nature, and provided evidence of organized crime through the use of case studies. This paper reviews previous literature in the domain of organized crime, taking the criminological view in focusing on transnational organized crime. The contribution of this article is in positing that modern day transnational organized crime groups can be likened to adaptive supply chain networks in electronic businesses that have the ability to deliver just-in-time processes and products. In essence, supply chains are the ideal metaphor to study organized crime groups that span several countries, where crime is conducted at a local level within a geographic region that has transnational implications in an end-to-end network. To some degree, organized crime group structures have evolved at the same pace as communications technologies. The internetworking paradox demonstrates how transnational organized crime groups now follow their medium of choice, the Internet, allowing for a seemingly disorganized group of individuals to come together to act in a highly organized and productive manner. In effect online and offline social networks of an illicit type are being facilitated by the growth in new technologies and applications. Furthermore, the wireless Internet has provided an adaptive capability that grants members of illicit networks additional stealth in carrying out criminal activities in a just-in-time mode of operation.