The Business of Criminal Justice ─ A Guide for Theory and Practice

Regardless of the type, size, or mission of a criminal justice or law enforcement organization, optimum decision making can be achieved by examining activities and functions from the perspective of traditional business administration. Using profit and nonprofit business models, The Business of Criminal Justice: A Guide for Theory and Practice integrates the two philosophies of traditional management and finance and service-oriented benefit and demonstrates how success in these organizations is dependent on using the proper business model.

Topics discussed in this forward-thinking volume include:


The basic characteristics of qualitative and quantitative human decisions that affect law enforcement organizations
Management theory and the concepts of controlling, coordinating, leading, organizing, and planning
Strategic management and long-term decisions that affect law enforcement and justice-related entities for five or more years
Quality management and operations management of law enforcement entities
The influences of economics on the administration of law enforcement entities
Various aspects of mathematical modeling that influence human decision making to fulfill a stated objective
Models that support the expending of funds to benefit the organization and its stakeholders while rendering public service
Building relationships between the law enforcement entity and society through marketing, branding, and advertising


Demonstrating how the concepts of business administration influence law enforcement and government organizations, this volume is a critical decision-making tool for law enforcement and criminal justice entities ranging from small-town sheriff’s offices to large federal enterprises.

Daniel Adrian Doss, PhD, is an assistant professor with the University of West Alabama. He comes from a background of software engineering and analytical positions in both the defense and commercial industries.

Chengqi Guo, PhD, is an assistant professor of computer information systems at James Madison University, Harrisonburg, Virginia. He has years of industrial experience in the areas of business consulting and IS analysis at a large state-owned company in China and Fortune 500 firms in the United States.

Joo Young Lee, PhD, is an associate professor of finance and economics at the University of West Alabama. He has extensive experience as an educator, researcher, and financial manager.

Basic Concepts of Decision Making Learning Objectives Introduction to Decisions Qualitative versus Quantitative Decision Making Qualitative Method Quantitative Method Structured versus Unstructured Decision Making Levels of Decisions Risk Management Controllable Risk versus Uncontrollable Risk Management and Leadership Learning Objectives Concept of Management Controlling Coordinating Organizing Planning Leadership Vision and Direction Charismatic LeadershipMotivation Influence Social Responsibility Decisions for Social Benefits Decisions for Organizational Benefits Strategic Management Learning Objectives Introduction Strategy Vision/Mission/Goals/Objectives Contingency PlanningOrganizational DistinctivenessStrategic Planning Market Considerations Market Concept Competition Market Forces Market Interaction Joint Ventures Strategic Alliances Partnerships Basic Concepts of Quality Management Learning Objectives IntroductionDefining QualityQuality Management Controlling Coordinating Leading Organizing Planning Quality ParadigmsOrganizational ConsiderationsQuality Assurance and Quality ControlQuality Management Plan Quantitative and Qualitative Tools of Quality For-Profit and Nonprofit Concepts Basic Concepts of Operations Management Learning Objectives Introduction Organizational Processes and Service Design Process Improvement, Performance Evaluation, and Benchmarking Performance Evaluation and Best Practices Benchmarking For-Profit and Nonprofit Considerations Economics of Law Enforcement Learning Objectives Introduction Capitalism, Communism, Socialism, and Mixed EconomyEconomic Considerations in Law EnforcementMarket Failure Law Enforcement as Public Good Coase TheoremDemand and Supply in Law Enforcement Market Equilibrium of Law Enforcement Market Changes in Demand and Supply of Law Enforcement Market Monopoly Market for Law EnforcementCompetition in the Law Enforcement Market Cost Minimization and Economies of Scale Economic Analysis of Law Enforcement Policies Chewing Gum Market in Singapore Elasticity Supply Policy and Its Effects Demand Policy and Its EffectsConsequences of Gum Ban Policy Implications for Markets for Addictive Substances Game Theory and Terrorism Game Theory Prisoners’ Dilemma Game-Theoretic Approach to TerrorismMathematical Concepts Learning Objectives Introduction Significant Application Areas InventoriesEconomic Ordering Quantity Method Inventory Replenishment Safety Inventories Forecasting Strategic, Tactical, and Operational Considerations For-Profit and Nonprofit Considerations Financial Decisions of Law EnforcementLearning Objectives Introduction Types of Financial Decisions for Law Enforcement Financial Statement Analysis of Law Enforcement Agencies Three Perspectives of Money Value of Money in Different Time Horizons Earlier Value Later Value Earlier Value of Annuity Later Value of Annuity Perpetuity Law Enforcement Project Evaluation Techniques Net Present Value Profitability Index Internal Rate of Return Payback Period Rule Average Accounting Return Financial Market and Law Enforcement Agencies Municipal Bond and Its Price Budget Allocation of Law Enforcement Agencies Concepts of Marketing and Advertising Learning Objectives Introduction Marketing and Advertising Concepts Traditional versus Service Paradigms The Marketing Process Service Marketing Decisions Branding Evaluation Integrative Concepts and Project Management Learning Objectives Introduction Integration of Accounting, Budgeting, and Finance Integration of Life Cycles Integrating Economics and Decisions Integration of Project Management Epilogue: Final Comments Regardingthe Criminal Justice System andLaw Enforcement Organizations End Note Appendix A: Additional Essays and Commentaries Appendix B: Additional Essays and Commentaries Appendix C: Additional Essays and Commentaries Index