Publication

This paper examines the importance of background factors when assessing the link between risk aversion and gender. The authors say that research on television game shows which demonstrates a higher level of risk aversion in women has been used by some to explain the underrepresentation of women at senior levels in politics, business and management. However, in their own research, they find that when factors such as earnings and education are taken into consideration, the difference in levels of risk taking are not as far apart. Consequently, they suggest that such factors need to be taken into consideration in such research.