What does Box (1983) suggest about companies that cannot achieve their legitimate goals?

Box (1983) suggests that companies facing difficulties in achieving their legitimate goals may resort to illegal means to fulfill their objectives. This perspective is grounded in the understanding of how pressures to succeed can lead organizations to deviate from lawful conduct. When traditional avenues for growth, profit, or market dominance are obstructed, the temptation for companies to engage in criminal or unethical activities increases, reflecting a broader sociological context in which individuals or groups may choose deviance as a strategy for coping with failure or competition.

This concept is also informed by strain theory, which posits that when individuals or entities are unable to achieve socially-approved goals through legitimate channels, they may turn to alternative (and often illegal) methods. In the corporate world, this may manifest in actions such as fraud, corruption, or other unlawful activities, as companies seek to maintain their viability in competitive environments. This response illustrates how economic pressures can shape behavior, leading to deviance as a means of survival or success.