As typological category, criminal entrepreneurs have a different modus operandi from most
traditional criminals. This study develops a theory of successful criminal entrepreneurs,
operating in non-hierarchically structured organised crime. Successful criminal entrepreneurs
cannot be described through classic criminological theories such as low self-control theory.
The theory of successful criminal entrepreneurs provides an understanding of the leadership
of criminal entrepreneurs which includes vision, leadership style and orientation, in addition
to their identity. The theory also provides an understanding of the operational approaches
used by successful criminal entrepreneurs in addition to the use of their social networks. The
theory of successful criminal entrepreneurs argues that successful criminal entrepreneurs start
their careers with a clearly defined vision. Criminal entrepreneurs then lead people towards
their vision with a charismatic leadership style, employing social and personal orientation.
The operational approaches adopted by criminal entrepreneurs for success in fulfilling their
visions include filling a gap in the market, brokerage, bribery and blackmail. These
operational approaches are associated with both the location of the criminal entrepreneur in
the network and the embedded resources within their network. Among the various networks
that criminal entrepreneurs are part of, they occupy both a brokerage position, and a central
position within their network of speciality, such as an illegal gambling network. The
embedded resources in the criminal entrepreneur networks include criminals, police, politics,
money laundering and gang capital, in addition to mentors who can provide the necessary
human capital for the success of the criminal entrepreneur's career.
