Guns for Hire

Motivations and Attitudes of Private Security Contractors

Bibliographic Data

ID2340804
AuthorsVolker Franke (Kennesaw State University), Volker C Franke (0000-0002-9737-621X, Kennesaw State University, corresponding author), Marc Von Boemcken (0009-0000-1734-9469, BICC - Bonn International Centre for Conflict Studies)
Year2011
Volume37
Issue4
Pages725-742
Publication date2011-10-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueArmed Forces & Society (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0095-327X • E-ISSN: 1556-0848
PublisherSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1177/0095327x11412913
OpenAlexW1989389232
LanguageEN
Citations received19

Whereas the values, attitudes, and motivations of soldiers serving in their countries' armed forces have been widely studied, to date we know very little about the motivations and occupational self-perceptions of individuals working for the private security industry. Using data obtained through an online survey, this article explores the values and attitudes of more than 200 private contractors with law enforcement backgrounds and operational experience providing armed security services in conflict regions. Contrary to media-dominating images of ruthless, money-grabbing mercenaries, respondents in our sample displayed attitudes comparable to those of military professionals, adhering to high levels of professionalism and ethical conduct and motivated largely by altruistic factors

Business · Enforcement · Law enforcement · Perception · Political science · Private security · Public relations · Sample (material) · Gender, Security, and Conflict · Law · Military History and Strategy · Policing Practices and Perceptions · Psychology · Public Administration

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