Tackling crime in emerging markets
Apr, 2008
A research project by Associate Professor Catherine de Fontenay will investigate the cost of crime to business and investment in developing countries.
The multi-year study is being supported by the Annual Fund.
Focusing on Indonesia, Professor de Fontenay and her colleagues at the University of Melbourne will compare the economic activity of every village in Jakarta with comprehensive crime data recorded by the Indonesian Government. By combining and analyzing the separate data-sets, the researchers will for the first time be able to provide precise estimates of the relationship between crime and employment.
"Bad economic conditions lead to crime, but crime deters business. It’s a vicious circle." says Professor de Fontenay.
"We hope the research will help identify what policy changes governments need to make in order to break the circle, and that businesses will be able to forecast crime (and crime-related costs) in the areas they are working in.
"This research project will lead to a greater understanding of the true cost of crime to both local and foreign businesses in developing countries. Businesses will then be able to lobby the government to address the forces leading to crime.
Thank you to alumni and donors for supporting this important project."
