PSYCHOLOGY MASTER'S THESIS ABSTRACT

Laura Dierking

Industrial/Organizational
May 1991

Employee Theft in the Retail Industry
 

    This study focused on investigating whether or not there are biographical data factors or employment information factors which are common to those employees who have been caught and fired for stealing from their retail employer.  Factors which were investigated for their forecasting value were: age, gender, ethnic background, length of service, position, and employee type.

    The analysis confirmed Hypothesis 1; males were caught and admitted theft more often than females, p < .01.  The analysis did not confirm Hypothesis 2; the results were significant in the opposite direction, those in lower positions (sales) were caught stealing more often than those in higher positions (management), p < .01.  Although salespeople were caught and confessed to theft more often, managers stole significantly larger amounts than salespeople.  A discriminant analysis was also conducted and showed clearly different profiles for “thief” and “non-thief.”
    This information should be used as an incentive for retailers to improve their loss prevention practices.

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