In an academic essay format, critically discuss, under the
following subheadings, the value of surveillance as an
investigative method commonly used in the corporate
investigation. • Reasons for surveillance • Reasons for the
observation of certain places and persons • Surveillance
categories. [50 marks]
The Value of Surveillance as an Investigative Method in Corporate
Investigation
Surveillance is a critical tool in the realm of corporate investigation,
providing essential insights into activities that may not be easily
accessible through other methods. This essay critically discusses the
value of surveillance under the subheadings: Reasons for Surveillance,
Reasons for the Observation of Certain Places and Persons, and
Surveillance Categories. Each section will explore the rationale and
implications of surveillance, offering a comprehensive analysis of its
role in corporate investigations.
Reasons for Surveillance
, Surveillance is employed in corporate investigations for several key
reasons. Primarily, it serves as a means to gather evidence that can be
crucial for identifying and proving misconduct or illegal activities within
an organization.
1. Evidence Collection: Surveillance allows investigators to collect
direct evidence of wrongdoing. This can include documenting
unethical behavior, confirming fraudulent activities, or recording
compliance violations. For example, if a company suspects an
employee of embezzling funds, surveillance can capture activities
that are indicative of such misconduct, such as unauthorized access
to financial records or suspicious meetings.
2. Monitoring Employee Conduct: Corporate surveillance helps in
monitoring employee behavior and ensuring adherence to company
policies. It is used to track productivity, verify claims of time
abuse, and assess the integrity of work-related activities. For
instance, monitoring can reveal if employees are engaging in
unauthorized activities or using company resources for personal
gain.
3. Risk Management: Surveillance aids in identifying and mitigating
potential risks to the organization. By observing activities that may
pose a threat, such as breaches in security protocols or potential
sabotage, companies can implement measures to prevent or
address these risks. For instance, surveillance can be instrumental
in detecting internal threats from disgruntled employees or external
threats from potential infiltrators.
4. Legal Compliance: In some cases, surveillance is used to ensure
compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. This is
particularly relevant in industries where adherence to specific
standards is mandatory. Surveillance helps verify that practices
align with legal norms and industry regulations, thus protecting the
organization from legal liabilities.
5. Protection of Intellectual Property: In industries where
intellectual property (IP) is a key asset, surveillance is used to
safeguard proprietary information. This includes monitoring for
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through EFT, credit card or Stuvia-credit for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying this summary from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller commissioner. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy this summary for R47,75. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.
