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(Un)risky commitments

Author

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  • Abubakar, Jamila
  • Aysan, Ahmet F.
  • Disli, Mustafa

Abstract

There is increasing concern regarding how uncertainty influences the demand for commitment devices, especially due to the complexity it introduces into the decision-making environment while activating risk preferences. This study examines how the proportion of automated transactions varies on a Nigerian FinTech platform, given exposure to uncertainty and individual risk aversion in two distinct risk-level environments. One environment is risk-free, while the other is characterised by uncertainty about future outcomes. Our findings support the hypothesis that risk aversion varies inversely with the demand for commitment, specifically among low and medium-risk groups. Additionally, we find significant differences in the behaviour of women and the influence of interest rates on automation between the certainty and uncertainty domains. Our findings suggest that behavioural variations across decision environments are influenced by both platform choice sets and potential exogenous factors that may affect income and wealth after automating transactions.

Suggested Citation

  • Abubakar, Jamila & Aysan, Ahmet F. & Disli, Mustafa, 2025. "(Un)risky commitments," Emerging Markets Review, Elsevier, vol. 64(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ememar:v:64:y:2025:i:c:s1566014124001250
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ememar.2024.101230
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Commitment devices; Certainty; Uncertainty; Risk aversion; Automated transactions;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D81 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Criteria for Decision-Making under Risk and Uncertainty
    • D91 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics - - - Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on Decision Making
    • E21 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Consumption, Saving, Production, Employment, and Investment - - - Consumption; Saving; Wealth
    • G11 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Portfolio Choice; Investment Decisions
    • G41 - Financial Economics - - Behavioral Finance - - - Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on Decision Making in Financial Markets
    • G51 - Financial Economics - - Household Finance - - - Household Savings, Borrowing, Debt, and Wealth

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