Anti-Mafia Law Enforcement and Lending in Mafia Lands. Evidence from Judicial Administration in Italy

2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesca M. Calamunci ◽  
Marco Alberto De Benedetto ◽  
Damiano Bruno Silipo
Keyword(s):  
Law Enforcement ◽  
Preventive Measure ◽  
Bank Credit ◽  
Difference In Differences ◽  
Firm Level ◽  
Negative Change ◽  
Criminal Organizations ◽  
Italian Regions ◽  
Judicial Administration ◽  
The Impact

Abstract The paper analyses the impact of a preventive measure aimed at fighting the criminal organizations’ activities on the bank-firm relationship in the four Italian regions with the highest density of mafia over the period 2004–2016. Taking advantage of the staggered firm-level anti-mafia enforcement actions, we implement a difference-in-differences approach and find that after entering judicial administration mafia-infiltrated firms experience a 19 per cent contraction of bank credit and have a higher probability of being credit rationed than a matched sample of legal companies. We also find that firms confiscated from the mafia experience a negative change in some demand-driven (value of production) and supply-driven (profitability) determinants of loans. Finally, we study whether confiscation of infiltrated firms produces externalities on non-infiltrated companies, and show that banks do not reassess the overall credit risk in local markets.

scholarly journals Criminal networks analysis in missing data scenarios through graph distances

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (8) ◽  
pp. e0255067
Author(s):  
Annamaria Ficara ◽  
Lucia Cavallaro ◽  
Francesco Curreri ◽  
Giacomo Fiumara ◽  
Pasquale De Meo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Law Enforcement ◽  
Incomplete Data ◽  
Law Enforcement Agencies ◽  
Criminal Networks ◽  
Criminal Organizations ◽  
Edge Removal ◽  
Graph Distances ◽  
Intentional Deception ◽  
Node Removal ◽  
The Impact

Data collected in criminal investigations may suffer from issues like: (i) incompleteness, due to the covert nature of criminal organizations; (ii) incorrectness, caused by either unintentional data collection errors or intentional deception by criminals; (iii) inconsistency, when the same information is collected into law enforcement databases multiple times, or in different formats. In this paper we analyze nine real criminal networks of different nature (i.e., Mafia networks, criminal street gangs and terrorist organizations) in order to quantify the impact of incomplete data, and to determine which network type is most affected by it. The networks are firstly pruned using two specific methods: (i) random edge removal, simulating the scenario in which the Law Enforcement Agencies fail to intercept some calls, or to spot sporadic meetings among suspects; (ii) node removal, modeling the situation in which some suspects cannot be intercepted or investigated. Finally we compute spectral distances (i.e., Adjacency, Laplacian and normalized Laplacian Spectral Distances) and matrix distances (i.e., Root Euclidean Distance) between the complete and pruned networks, which we compare using statistical analysis. Our investigation identifies two main features: first, the overall understanding of the criminal networks remains high even with incomplete data on criminal interactions (i.e., when 10% of edges are removed); second, removing even a small fraction of suspects not investigated (i.e., 2% of nodes are removed) may lead to significant misinterpretation of the overall network.

scholarly journals Green Credit Policy and Maturity Mismatch Risk in Polluting and Non-Polluting Companies

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 3615
Author(s):  
Yaowei Cao ◽  
Youtang Zhang ◽  
Liu Yang ◽  
Rita Yi Man Li ◽  
M. James C. Crabbe
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Protection ◽  
Bank Credit ◽  
Credit Policy ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Coordinated Development ◽  
Difference In Differences ◽  
Sustainable Operations ◽  
Maturity Mismatch ◽  
Investment And Financing ◽  
The Impact

A major issue is whether the implementation of China’s green credit policy will affect the coordinated development of corporate sustainable operations and environmental protection. This paper used a propensity score matching—difference-in-differences (PSM-DID) model to analyse the impact of China’s green credit policy implemented in 2012 on the maturity mismatch risk between investment and financing in polluting and non-polluting companies. We found that: (1) green credit policies can help reduce the risk of maturity mismatch between investment and financing for polluting companies; (2) the reduction of short-term bank credit is the main way to curb the risk of maturity mismatch risk between investment and financing; (3) the green credit policy has no obvious mitigation effect on the risk of maturity mismatch between investment and financing among polluting companies with environmental protection investment; (4) the mitigation effect of the green credit policy on the maturity mismatch risk is more significant in state-owned polluting companies and polluting companies in areas with a lower level of financial development. The empirical results show that China’s green credit policy helps stimulate the environmental protection behaviour of companies, as well as helping alleviate the capital chain risk caused by the maturity mismatch between investment and financing. In addition, despite the effect of heterogeneity, it can solve the contradiction between environmental protection and economic development.

scholarly journals Investigation of the Durability of Nanomarkings Applied to Steel Products Using a Scanning Probe Microscope Under the Influence of Operational Factors

2021 ◽  
pp. 29-33
Author(s):  
Tatyana Kislova ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Law Enforcement ◽  
Preventive Measure ◽  
Scanning Probe ◽  
Innovative Technology ◽  
Federal State ◽  
Law Enforcement Agencies ◽  
Operational Factors ◽  
Counterfeit Products ◽  
High Level ◽  
The Impact

The criminogenic situation in Russia today is characterized by a high level of crime. This is evidenced by the official data of the Federal State Statistics Service and the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia. In January 2020 alone, 496 crimes related to the use of weapons were committed. One of the problems that law enforcement agencies face when investigating crimes is establishing the authenticity or verification of items found during operational investigative actions. To increase the probability of verification of items, a number of preventive measures are necessary. As such a preventive measure, the protective marking of items of increased interest from criminal structures can act. The application of marking marks can be used to protect property rights, protect against counterfeit products, as well as by various law enforcement agencies for marking weapons. The protective properties of the marking are increased if it is latent, that is, it is not perceived visually, including with the help of available magnifying devices. In this work, the impact of operational factors on the dynamics of changes in the parameters of nanomarkings applied to steel parts is studied using a new innovative technology-scanning probe microscopy, which provides one hundred percent verification of subjects and objects.

scholarly journals CURRENT REQUIREMENTS AND MODERN REALITIES OF CONDUCTING UNDERCOVER INVESTIGATION FORM (INVESTIGATIVE) ACTION BEFORE JUDGE RESOLUTION

2020 ◽  
pp. 131-134
Author(s):  
Ye. S. Hidenko ◽  
D. V. Vodop’ian
Keyword(s):  
Law Enforcement ◽  
Criminal Prosecution ◽  
Power Structures ◽  
Criminal Proceedings ◽  
Law Enforcement Agencies ◽  
Criminal Organizations ◽  
Criminal Intent ◽  
The Law ◽  
National Police ◽  
The Impact

The article explores the issues of conducting undercover investigation form (investigative) action prior to the decision of the investigating judge in the framework of the operative support of criminal proceedings. In fact, after the events of the 2014 Revolution of Dignity, law enforcement agencies underwent a dramatic change, which in turn led to the decline of the law enforcement system, them authority and professionalism. In law enforcement agencies lost the institution of “mentoring”, because this institution was destroyed after reform. These events have led to the consolidation of their positions by gangs and criminal organizations engaged in professional crime, because during the decline of power structures, they were able to get corrupt links, adjust ways and ways of realizing criminal intent. In order to solve this problem, the article considers in detail the issue of enabling operatives units to initiate undercover investigation form (investigative) action prior to the decision of the investigating judge within the framework of operative support of criminal proceedings. And the extension of the rights of employees of the operational units of the National Police of Ukraine during criminal proceedings. Legislative differences that are contrary to current practical requirements have been emphasized and discussed. Also, this article is devoted to the study of legislative restriction of activity of operational units of the National Police of Ukraine during criminal proceedings. The impact professional criminality on the units of the National Police of Ukraine carrying out operational-search activities and criminal prosecution has been investigated. The limitation of the rights of operational units during criminal proceedings was considered in detail and emphasized. Tactical and theoretical inconsistencies of conducting undercover investigation form (investigative) action before the decision of the investigating judge are considered. And possible ways of their decision based on modern practical requirements are considered. Based on the results of the scientific search, relevant conclusions were drawn and suggestions were made to address the issues discussed in the article.

scholarly journals West Africa – the Region’s Pivotal Role in International Drug Trafficking

2017 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 19-32
Author(s):  
Richard Rousseau
Keyword(s):  
Law Enforcement ◽  
Drug Trafficking ◽  
Illicit Drug ◽  
Drug Trade ◽  
African Continent ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Criminal Organizations ◽  
Drug Traffickers ◽  
Drugs And Crime ◽  
The Impact

Africa is a pivotal continent for international drug traffickers and criminal organizations. According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) estimates, approximately 40 to 50 tons of cocaine destined for the European market passes through the African continent each year.1 The illicit profits from such activities amount to at least 1.8 billion dollars, but it could be much larger according to some estimates. Such profits provide drug traffickers with the financial means to destabilize already weak governmental structures and law enforcement institutions in various African countries. This massive profits fuel a trade that has far reaching consequences for Africa and the destination countries for these illegal drugs. What is the impact of the illicit drug trade on Africa?

Evaluation of the impact of public investment programs on social and economic performance of territories

2019 ◽  
pp. 109-123
Author(s):  
I. E. Limonov ◽  
M. V. Nesena
Keyword(s):  
Bayesian Modeling ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Public Investment ◽  
Difference In Differences ◽  
The Public ◽  
Export Activity ◽  
Regional Investment ◽  
The Difference ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Development Institution

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the impact of public investment programs on the socio-economic development of territories. As a case, the federal target programs for the development of regions and investment programs of the financial development institution — Vnesheconombank, designed to solve the problems of regional development are considered. The impact of the public interventions were evaluated by the “difference in differences” method using Bayesian modeling. The results of the evaluation suggest the positive impact of federal target programs on the total factor productivity of regions and on innovation; and that regional investment programs of Vnesheconombank are improving the export activity. All of the investments considered are likely to have contributed to the reduction of unemployment, but their implementation has been accompanied by an increase in social inequality.

Impact of Determinants of Industrial Development on Employment and Wages in Indian Manufacturing

2020 ◽  
pp. 18-30
Keyword(s):  
Technical Efficiency ◽  
Total Factor Productivity ◽  
Technical Change ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Manufacturing Sector ◽  
Factor Productivity ◽  
Firm Level ◽  
Employment Level ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Level Performance

ABSTRACT The present study was undertaken to explore the evolution of the impact of firm-level performance on employment level and wages in the Indian organized manufacturing sector over the period 1989-90 to 2013-14. One of the major components of the economic reform package was the deregulation and de-licensing in the Indian organized manufacturing sector. The impact of firm-level performance on employment and wages were estimated for Indian organized manufacturing sector in major sub-sectors in India during the period from 1989-90 to 2013-14 of the various variables namely profitability ratio, total factor productivity change, technical change, technical efficiency, openness (export-import), investment intensity, raw material intensity and FECI in total factor productivity index, technical efficiency, and technical change. The study exhibited that all explanatory variables except profitability ratio and technical change cost had a positive impact on the employment level. Out of eight variables, four variables such as net of foreign equity capital, investment intensity, TFPCH, and technical efficiency change showed a positive impact on wages and salary ratio and rest of the four variables such as openness intensity, technology acquisition index, profitability ratio, and technical change had negative impact on wages and salary ratio. In this context, the profit ratio should be distributed as per the marginal rule of economics such as the marginal productivity of labour and capital.

APPLICATION FEATURES OF TECHNICAL AND FORENSIC TOOLS BY AN INVESTIGATOR (THE INTERROGATOR) DURING INTERROGATION IN THE PRETRIAL DETENTION CENTER

2020 ◽  
pp. 48-53
Author(s):  
Роман Михайлович Морозов ◽  
Дмитрий Юрьевич Волков
Keyword(s):  
Law Enforcement ◽  
Criminal Law ◽  
Scientific Literature ◽  
Preliminary Investigation ◽  
Preventive Measure ◽  
Criminal Procedure ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Detention Center ◽  
Pretrial Detention ◽  
Forensic Tools

Целью статьи было рассмотреть проблемные аспекты тактико-криминалистического применения технических средств при производстве допроса, предложить научно обоснованные рекомендации по их использованию. В статье раскрываются особенности применения технико-криминалистических средств процессуально уполномоченными должностными лицами органов предварительного следствия и дознания при производстве допроса подозреваемых (обвиняемых), в отношении которых избрана мера пресечения в виде заключения под стражу. По результатам проведенных исследований правоприменительной практики и научной литературы авторами раскрываются процессуальные и тактические основания и порядок применения технических средств при производстве допроса на отдельных его этапах, предлагаются решения проблем, связанных с применением технико-криминалистических средств, даются рекомендации по порядку применения отдельных технических средств. Выделяются наиболее целесообразные тактические приемы допроса при применении технических средств фиксации. Авторами предложены изменения в уголовно-процессуальное законодательство по совершенствованию законодательных норм в области применения технических средств при производстве следственных действий. Сформулированные в статье выводы могут быть использованы в правоприменительной практике следователями (дознавателями) при производстве допроса в следственном изоляторе, а также при преподавании отдельных дисциплин: «Уголовный процесс», «Криминалистика», а также специальных курсов (по выбору) уголовно-правового профиля. The purpose of the article was to consider the problematic aspects of the tactical and forensic use of technical means during the interrogation, to offer evidence-based recommendations for their use. The article reveals the features of the use of technical and forensic means by the procedurally authorized officials of the preliminary investigation and inquiry bodies during the interrogation of suspects (accused), in respect of which a preventive measure in the form of detention has been chosen. According to the results of the research of law enforcement practice and scientific literature, the authors reveal the procedural and tactical grounds and the procedure for the use of technical means during the interrogation at its individual stages, offers solutions to problems associated with the use of technical and forensic means, gives some recommendations on the order of application of individual technical means. The most appropriate tactics of interrogation, the use of technical facilities of fixation. The authors propose changes to the criminal procedure legislation to improve the legislative norms in the field of application of technical means in the investigative actions realization. The conclusions formulated in the article can be used in law enforcement practice by investigators (inquirers) during the interrogation in the pretrial detention center, as well as in the teaching of certain disciplines: «Criminal procedure», «Criminalistics», as well as special courses (optional) of criminal law profile.

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