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Framing and stakes: A survey study of decisions under uncertainty

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  • Baucells, Manel

    (IESE Business School)

  • Rata, Cristina

    (IESE Business School)

Abstract

Using a survey study of 261 decisions under uncertainty, we explore the factors that explain risk taking behavior and those that predict the importance of a decision. We also examine the relationship between framing and status quo, the similarity between monetary and non-monetary decisions, as well as the similarities and differences among our three subject groups (Undergraduates, MBAs and Executives). We find that framing, domain, and probability of success have a strong influence on the probability of taking risks. Other factors, such as group, importance of a decision, and whether the consequences are monetary or not, do not seem to influence risk attitudes. Our analysis of importance of a decision highlights the frequency with which a decision is taken as a key variable. Our results suggest that the cumulative effects of unimportant and frequent decisions are greater than the cumulative effects of very important and infrequent decisions.

Suggested Citation

  • Baucells, Manel & Rata, Cristina, 2004. "Framing and stakes: A survey study of decisions under uncertainty," IESE Research Papers D/568, IESE Business School.
  • Handle: RePEc:ebg:iesewp:d-0568
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    References listed on IDEAS

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