Rather than thinking of organized crimes as acts of criminals, this paper suggests an understanding similar to noncriminal organizations. Criminal organizations have different characteristics; however, similarities to legal organizations exist. For example, competition is a key characteristic of business enterprises in capitalist parts of the world. Competition is found both in the legal and the illegal parts of an economy. The comparison between criminal and noncriminal organizations is illustrated by management, projects, value configuration, networks, culture, and finance. In this conceptual research paper, terminology from business and management literature was applied to the growing area of organized crime. In summation, in order to fight organized crime, there is a need to understand criminal organizations. Criminal organizations are in the business of organized crime, while noncriminal organizations are in the business of legal activities. Figures, table, and references