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Journal Article

Overconfidence and Risk-taking in the Field: Evidence from Ethiopian Farmers

Authors

  • Barsbai
  • T.
  • Schmidt
  • U.
  • Zirpel
  • U.

Publication Date

DOI

10.1086/713933

Key Words

Ethiopia

overconfidence

risk-taking

Related Topics

Emerging Markets & Developing Countries

Africa

We argue that overconfidence wrongly inflates the expected returns to a risky income-generating activity. Overconfidence thus increase the willingness to take risks. We test this prediction using a sample of small-holder farmers from Ethiopia who face a risk-return tradeoff in their crop cultivation choices. To meet their subsistence needs, these risk-averse farmers arguably have large incentives to wisely manage their risks ...

Kiel Institute Expert

  • Prof. Dr. Dr. Ulrich Schmidt
    Research Director

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