IMPACT OF OUTCOME AMBIGUITY ON SELF-INSURANCE AND SELF-PROTECTION: EXPERIMENTAL EVIDENCE


ÖZDEMİR Ö.

BULLETIN OF ECONOMIC RESEARCH, vol.69, no.4, 2017 (SSCI) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 69 Issue: 4
  • Publication Date: 2017
  • Doi Number: 10.1111/boer.12111
  • Journal Name: BULLETIN OF ECONOMIC RESEARCH
  • Journal Indexes: Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus
  • Middle East Technical University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

This experimental study examines and compares individual valuations of the two risk reduction mechanisms: self-insurance and self-protection in risky versus ambiguous outcome situations. Results confirm that individuals do not perceive these mechanisms differently under risk. Moreover, ambiguity in the outcome (i.e., size of loss) affects valuations weakly, and changing representations of ambiguity do not alter valuation. In general, individuals are found to be ambiguity averse for low sizes of loss and ambiguity neutral for high sizes of loss, regardless of the probability of loss. Finally, no strong support is found for any particular model of ambiguity.