Matthew J. Giblin

Structural elaboration and institutional isomorphism: the case of crime analysis units

Purpose – Studies of police organizations typically involve examining predictors consistent with structural contingency theory while comparatively fewer have examined the applicability of institutional theory. The purpose of the current study is to examine the influence of institutional factors on the elaboration of organizational structure, specifically the incorporation of a crime analysis unit into a police organizations structure.Design/methodology/approach – Data were obtained using a 2002 mail survey of law enforcement agencies focusing on the crime analysis function and environmental factors influencing the organization of that function. Additional information complementing the survey data was obtained through telephone interviews with representatives from 12 of the surveyed departments.Findings – Multivariate results show that, consistent with contingency theory, size is an important predictor of structural elaboration. Analyses and interview responses suggest that institutional factors, particul...

Measuring Homeland Security Innovation in Small Municipal Agencies Policing in a Post—9/11 World

Though homeland security has been the focus of ample rhetoric since the 9/11 attacks, empirical accounts of actual innovations in local American policing have been lacking. This study considers the measurement of homeland security innovations within small municipal departments in the state of Illinois. Using survey data, the analysis examines perceptions of risk, engagement in preparatory measures, and perceptions of response capacities within these small agencies. The analysis also considers whether innovation and associated issues are influenced by being located in the Chicago metropolitan area, an urban county, or a rural county. Results suggest limited differences across these regions, with most differences likely emerging due to variation in respondent’s proximity to larger peer agencies. The results are discussed within the context of extant literature on policing in small agencies and rural communities.

Threatened Globally, Acting Locally: Modeling Law Enforcement Homeland Security Practices

The present study examined the effects of institutional pressures on homeland security preparedness among law enforcement agencies in Illinois. The data come from the Illinois Homeland Security Survey (IHSS). Specifically, the study employed three theories to explain homeland security preparedness: contingency theory, resource dependence theory, and institutional theory. We hypothesized that institutional pressures will lead to isomorphism as agencies attempt to conform to institutional expectations about appropriate activities in a homeland security era. To evaluate these theories and their impact on homeland security practices, the authors used confirmatory factor analysis. The IHSS data lend strong support to the application of organizational theory as a lens through which homeland security preparedness can be understood. Institutional pressures, such as professional and government publications, training, professional associations, and the actions of peer agencies, significantly influenced municipal and county agencies in Illinois. Funding, while often thought important to encourage preparedness, was not a significant predictor. The results of this analysis advance our understanding of homeland security preparedness via institutional theory by suggesting that the larger environment is salient.

Modeling Isomorphism on Policing Innovation The Role of Institutional Pressures in Adopting Community-Oriented Policing

Recent research on innovation diffusion points to a number of key factors that stimulate the need for change or facilitate the adoption of innovations. Empirical studies examining the process of innovation—that is, how ideas are spread—are less common and often lack a theoretical foundation. The present study uses institutional theory to develop a model of community-policing adoption in municipal law enforcement agencies. The fit of the institutional model is assessed using secondary data and structural equation modeling. The results show that centrist forces—including publications, the professionalization of law enforcement, and other law enforcement agencies—shape the organizational adoption of community-policing reforms. The implications of the research for communicating innovations are addressed.

Homeland Security in the Heartland Risk, Preparedness, and Organizational Capacity

This study examines the perceived risk of a terrorist attack, terrorism preparedness activities, and organizational capacity in over 500 Illinois law enforcement agencies. Survey results show that the perceived risk of an attack is relatively low but organizations are taking steps to prepare for large-scale emergencies. The study also found that perceptions of risk predicted the level of preparedness activities and that an organizational leaders confidence in his or her organizations ability to respond to a terrorist incident is influenced by the number of preparedness measures taken. Implications of the research are explored.

Developing a measurement model of institutional processes in policing

Purpose – Institutional theory shows promise as a viable framework for understanding police organization structures and activities but difficulties in measuring its core concepts make testing problematic. In order to advance the application of institutional theory in policing, this papers aim is to develop a measurement model of institutional pressures derived from DiMaggio and Powells discussion of institutional isomorphism.Design/methodology/approach – First and second‐order confirmatory factor analyses are performed on secondary data originally collected in a 1997 national survey of law enforcement agencies about their approach to community policing.Findings – The results showed a refined model of institutional processes including three constructs – professionalization, publications, and mimesis. A construct indicated by funding measures does not seem to be consistent with other institutional pressures.Research limitations/implications – The research made use of available data and existing measures n...

Examining Personal Security and Avoidance Measures in a 12-City Sample:

Existing research has recognized the multidimensional nature of self-protective behaviors. Using secondary data collected by the Bureau of Justice Statistics, this study examined the predictive ability of measures related to policing, lifestyles, victimization, neighborhood conditions, and demographic characteristics in explaining six types of protective behavior. Results suggest that factors such as awareness of community policing, satisfaction with police, perceptions of disorder, and sex are consistently related to protective measures, whereas the influence of other factors (e.g., personal victimization, race) varies according to the behavior analyzed.

Policing Intimate Partner Violence in Rural Areas and Small Towns: Policies, Practices, and Perceptions

The extant literature has given only limited consideration to the adoption of intimate partner violence policies and procedures on the part of police organizations, particularly in rural areas and small towns. Using survey data from police agencies in the southern regions of Illinois, this study found that although policies were nearly universal, specific elements varied. Agencies relied heavily on conferences and other departments in formulating their policies, making less use of recommendations from professional associations or the salient literature. The findings suggest variation in how intimate partner violence is perceived and policed in rural areas and small towns while highlighting some of the challenges agencies encounter in addressing this offense within their jurisdictions.

Homeland Security Risk and Preparedness in Police Agencies: The Insignificance of Actual Risk Factors:

The connection between perceived risk of homeland security incidents and homeland security preparedness has received considerable support in policing literature. From a contingency theory perspective, organizations rationally respond to risks in their external environments by taking steps to prepare for homeland security incidents. In past studies examining homeland security preparedness levels, risk has typically been measured using agency executives’ perceived likelihood of specific homeland security incidents occurring within their jurisdiction within a specified time range, and has largely ignored objective risk factors. In other disciplines, researchers and government organizations consider three dimensions when assessing risk: threat, vulnerability, and consequences. In the present study, the objective risk factors of social vulnerability, experience with past hazards, and built environment vulnerability not only fail to predict risk perceptions but are also not associated with preparedness measures. However, consistent with prior research, subjective risk perceptions remain a significant predictor of preparedness levels.

Learning from the Classics: an Empirical Examination of the Cultural Literacy in Criminological Theory

The goal of this study was to identify key foundational works in criminological theory using comprehensive examination reading lists as source material. Reading lists obtained from 12 PhD‐granting institutions were analyzed, resulting in the identification of 40 works adopted by six or more programs. The congruence between lists identified from various sources (e.g., reading lists, journals) is examined, and the implications of this research as a method for defining the content of cultural literacy in criminological theory are discussed. Results indicate the absence of a clear core of common works across the 12 programs; this may suggest differing views concerning what knowledge ought to be mastered by new members of the academy.