Perceptions of professional certifications in the loss prevention industry: A qualitative case study

摘要

The industry of Loss Prevention (LP) is tasked with creating policies, procedures, and business practices to guard against financial losses within an organization. Professional certifications, not traditionally required of its members, have emerged in recent years in the industry and have been favorably received in spite of the fact that there is no empirical research to support their merit. A qualitative case study was conducted to understand the impact of professional certifications on the field of LP. Literature concerning the history and impact of professional certifications was reviewed. The theoretical framework included theories from cognitive psychology and positive psychology related to decision-making in staffing, recruiting, and measuring job performance. Eight participants from LP and Human Resources (HR) discussed their perceptions of professional certifications and their impact on the LP industry through telephonic interviews. The conversations were recorded, transcribed, and assessed through a thematic analysis technique using the steps of description, categorical aggregation, direct interpretation, within-case analysis, member checking, cross-case analysis, and interpretation. The results were consistent with findings from existing empirical research regarding professional certifications in other industries. The impact of professional certifications for LP is varied; while members of the industry do not appear to benefit directly (in terms of career progression and increased salary), their organizations receive increased credibility and decreased liability, and the industry benefits from added professionalism. Future research could expand the analysis to include a broader sample of LP and HR candidates and the international community.