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Business ownership and attitudes towards risk

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  • Sarah Brown
  • Michael Dietrich
  • Aurora Ortiz Nuñez
  • Karl Taylor

Abstract

We explore the relationship between business ownership and attitudes towards financial risk using individual level data drawn from the US Survey of Consumer Finances (SCF). The SCF includes a measure of individuals’ attitudes towards risk allowing us to explore the implications of interpersonal differences in risk attitudes for the probability and success of business ownership. Our empirical findings suggest that willingness to take financial risk is positively associated with both the incidence and success of business ownership. We find that this relationship is particularly pronounced in cases where the individual actually started the business.

Suggested Citation

  • Sarah Brown & Michael Dietrich & Aurora Ortiz Nuñez & Karl Taylor, 2013. "Business ownership and attitudes towards risk," Applied Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 45(13), pages 1731-1740, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:applec:45:y:2013:i:13:p:1731-1740
    DOI: 10.1080/00036846.2011.636026
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Simon Parker, 2014. "Who become serial and portfolio entrepreneurs?," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 43(4), pages 887-898, December.

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