corporate crime Frequently (and unhelpfully) used interchangeably with the term white-collar crime, corporate crime should be seen as distinct, being committed on behalf of the corporation, not against it (though competing businesses may be the victims). The term does not necessarily mean that criminal law is violated, the insight offered being the ways in which corporate businesses can cause major social, financial, and physical harm, yet face few or no legal sanctions. Such crime can be intentional or the result of indifference or inefficiency. Examples include price-fixing cartels, long-term fraud, industrial accidents, and pollution.

crime, corporate See CORPORATE CRIME.