Perception of White-Collar Criminality: an Online Exploratory Survey Among Students in Azerbaijan

Recent studies have challenged traditional wisdom regarding public indifference to white-collar crime by revealing equal or greater perceived seriousness of these crimes among respondents relative crime. The first its kind in the local context, this study examined perceptions a self-select sample students (n = 301) at Baku State University Azerbaijan. results indicate that, overall, Azerbaijani view as more serious than crimes. Specifically, manipulation evidence police officers, acceptance bribe government minister, and an accountancy firm representing large corporation hiding tax fraud from inspectors were ranked overwhelming majority street they compared with. Nonetheless, some scenarios, both types deemed equally serious. Binomial tests for comparison proportion answers each scenario, well Mann-Whitney U allow comparing mean differences punitiveness employed. Limitations suggestions future research are discussed end.