There is no evidence of separation between managerial and proprietorial roles in protection firms, a factor that, once again, has to do with the nature of protection itself. Even if owners did wish to rid themselves of the managerial burden, they would be unlikely to do so for the simple reason that they could all too easily be robbed of the firm by their managers. To run the firm, one must be in command; and to be in command means, effectively, to own.

DEFINE: Clarifies why protection firms structurally cannot separate ownership from control — managers could seize the firm, so command equals ownership.

Diego Gambetta, The Sicilian Mafia The Busi…, loc. 161