Triad Society in Hong Kong: the Hierarchical Approach and Criminal’S Collaborations

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Triad Society in Hong Kong: the Hierarchical Approach and Criminal’S Collaborations Copyright Warning Use of this thesis/dissertation/project is for the purpose of private study or scholarly research only. Users must comply with the Copyright Ordinance. Anyone who consults this thesis/dissertation/project is understood to recognise that its copyright rests with its author and that no part of it may be reproduced without the author’s prior written consent. CITY UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG 香港城市大學 Triad Society in Hong Kong: The Hierarchical Approach and Criminal’s Collaborations 香港黑社會: 架構階層與犯罪合作的關係 Submitted to College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences 人文社會科學院 in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy 哲學博士學位 by Sharon Ingrid Kwok 郭綺雯 January 2017 二零一七年一月 Abstract The present study adopted hierarchical approach to examine the structure and operation of triad societies; and how structural features of triad societies facilitate their members in accessing criminal resources and establishing criminal collaborations within triad community. Different from conventional triad research method, the present study adopted in-depth interviews and ethnography to study two triad associates and 28 triads ranging from Sze Kau members to Lo Shuk Fu and former Cho Kun, and covered eight different triad societies in Hong Kong, including the three major triad societies, namely Sun Yee On, Wo Shing Wo, and 14K. The present study not only provides empirical contribution to triad research, but also a new dimension in studying organised crime - the “structural-social capital” approach in an attempt to link up “Organized Crime” (organized crime committed by criminal organization) and “organized crime” (crime that is organized) as defined by Finckenauer (2005) and Hagan (2006). The triad community is a gateway to the network hub of the underworld in Hong Kong. The triad structure turns the individual resources and power into aggregate resources for individual purposes. The established triad networks provide an exclusive social platform for criminal collaborations. This study found that the genuine value of triad societies is the triad identity and status that offer an opportunity to establish social capital and to access the resources in the criminal underworld through the structural hierarchical network in the triad societies. II The present study reveals that triad societies are decentralised but not disorganized. Triad societies are made up by factions, which constitutes of the spider-web structure that links up numerous generations of triads through the Dai Lo–Lang Chai relationship. The hierarchy of triad society is determined by seniority and financial power. The triad structure and hierarchical positions significantly influence the access to triad resources, and hence the chance of successful criminal collaborations. In addition to structural factors, Dor (reputation) and face are important asset and credentials for establishing trust and hence facilitate criminal collaboration and the establishment of social capital. The establishment, advertisement and verification of Dor are crucial to criminal collaboration. Triad societies provide a breeding ground for young criminals to establish criminal networks in the triad community, which provides a hierarchical ladder for triads to accumulate power, resources and Dor. Triad territories provide a networking platform for triads to circulate criminal information, promote themselves, verify Dor, and obtain information about potential collaborators. III CITY UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG Qualifying Panel and Examination Panel Surname: KWOK First Name: Sharon Ingrid Degree: Doctor of Philosophy College/Department: Department of Applied Social Sciences The Qualifying Panel of the above student is composed of: Supervisor(s) Prof. LO Tit Wing Department of Applied Social Sciences City University of Hong Kong Co-Supervisor(s) Dr. HUI Na Na Anna Department of Applied Social Sciences City University of Hong Kong Qualifying Panel Member(s) Dr. ZHONG Yueying Lena Department of Applied Social Sciences City University of Hong Kong This thesis has been examined and approved by the following examiners: Dr. LAU Kwok Yu Department of Public Policy City University of Hong Kong Prof. CHUI Wing Hong Department of Applied Social Sciences City University of Hong Kong Prof. LO Tit Wing Department of Applied Social Sciences City University of Hong Kong Prof. CHIN Ko Lin Center for Law and Justice Rutgers School of Criminal Justice IV Acknowledgements This thesis would not have been possible without the help of my supervisor, Professor T Wing Lo, to whom I owe my deepest gratitude. I gained valuable research and publication experiences through his patient guidance. I would like to thank him for giving me a lot of precious opportunities, such as presenting papers in international conferences and public lectures, being involved in triad society research projects and interviewed by international journalists and media. Through this means, I have established good relationships with experts in my field. He also advised me how to conduct scientific research, especially when I was drowning in loads of empirical data and literature. In particular, he taught me how to use naming, specifying and tagging techniques to categorize information, facilitate data analysis and develop academic concepts. These experiences helped me reach a new horizon in the academic field. Moreover, I would like to thank my co-supervisor, Dr. Anna Hui, for her innumerable support when I was under stress. I appreciate her kind help and prayers when I was feeling lost and depressed. Much appreciation is owed to my pastors and brothers in my Church, and those who work in TeenGuard Valley of the Society of Rehabilitation and Crime Prevention for their support. Special thanks are due to Pastor Mok and Pastor Lee of my Church, as well as my brothers in church for their trust and unfailing support in my research. Without their V assistance, I would never have the opportunity to enter the triad community and conduct my fieldwork. My sincere thanks also go to all the interviewees of the study. I really appreciate their trust and willingness to share their valuable triad experiences and knowledge with me. The information they provided during the course of study helped me tremendously to uncover the operations of triad societies in Hong Kong. I hope this study properly represents their views without bias. To my beloved sons, Smelly B and Woodidi. I have kept my promise. I did not give up my studies and finally get my thesis done. Finally, and most importantly, thank God for His endless love and support. VI TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER 1 TRIAD SOCIETY IN HONG KONG ................................................................................. 1 1.1 Definition .................................................................................................................................................. 1 1.2 Triads in Hong Kong ................................................................................................................................ 2 1.3 Triad Structure: From Ancient to Modern ................................................................................................ 5 1.4 Disorganization of Triads in Hong Kong ............................................................................................... 16 1.5 Triad Subculture .................................................................................................................................... 20 1.6 Triad Business and Activities ................................................................................................................ 22 1.7 Concluding Remarks ............................................................................................................................. 25 CHAPTER 2 DIFFERENT THEORETICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ORGANIZED CRIME ........... 28 2.1 Definition of Organized Crime ............................................................................................................... 28 2.2 Hierarchical Approach ........................................................................................................................... 29 2.2.1 Hierarchical structure ................................................................................................................. 29 2.2.2 Restricted membership ............................................................................................................... 30 2.3 Patron-client Relationship: Organised Crime as a Power Structure, and Network as Utilitarian Relations…………. ...................................................................................................................................... 32 2.4 Entrepreneur Approach – Organised Crime as Business ....................................................................... 33 2.4.1 Monopoly ................................................................................................................................... 35 2.4.2 Criminal collaboration and importance of reputation .................................................................. 37 2.5 Social Network Approach – OC as Networks ....................................................................................... 40 2.6 Social Capital Approach ........................................................................................................................ 45 2.7 Concluding Remarks ............................................................................................................................. 49
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