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Raising the Bar: Causal evidence on gender differences in risk-taking from a natural experiment

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  • René Böheim
  • Mario Lackner
  • Wilhelm Wagner

Abstract

We analyze data from top-tier professional athletes and find that female and male athletes differ in the timing and in the extent of their reactions to a change of the rules which increased the risk of failure. Male athletes increased risk-taking in the more risky environment immediately after the changes. Female athletes, however, increased risk-taking two years after the rule change. Over time, female athletes reverted to pre-reform risk-taking levels and male athletes' continued to make more risky decisions in the new environment. We attribute our findings to gender differences in competitiveness and risk preferences.

Suggested Citation

  • René Böheim & Mario Lackner & Wilhelm Wagner, 2020. "Raising the Bar: Causal evidence on gender differences in risk-taking from a natural experiment," Economics working papers 2020-01, Department of Economics, Johannes Kepler University Linz, Austria.
    • Handle: RePEc:jku:econwp:2020-01
    Note: English
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Jamie Emerson & Brian Hill, 2024. "Interim rank and risk-taking: Evidence from long jump competitions," Economics Bulletin, AccessEcon, vol. 44(1), pages 99-111.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Competitiveness; risk-taking; gender di erences;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination
    • J44 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Particular Labor Markets - - - Professional Labor Markets and Occupations

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