Sunitha Narendran

Determinants of managerial risk: exploring personality and cultural influences

A risk-assessment instrument using 10 business scenarios that varied the risk dimensions of outcome uncertainty, personal exposure, outcome potential, and personal expectations was used to test the effects of individual risk preferences on managerial risk propensity among 285 Indian managers in India and Singapore. Additionally, the effects of individual and organizational characteristics on managerial risk preferences were measured. Blockwise regression analysis revealed that the following groups of managers were significantly more willing than others to take risks: male managers, managers in India, managers with more modern cultural values, managers working in organizations with higher perceived risk willingness, managers with a higher need for achievement, and Type A managers. Individual risk willingness preferences were also found to influence managerial beliefs about the perceived riskiness of risk-related decisions.

The role of perceived costs and perceived benefits in the relationship between personality and risk-related choices

This paper considers how perceptions of costs and benefits can influence the association between personality and risky choice behaviour. We assessed perceptions and behaviours in six domains (ethical; investment; gambling; health and safety; recreational; social) using the DOSPERT and measured personality using the NEO PI‐R. Results from structural equation modelling showed that personality had a direct effect on risky choice behaviour in four domains (social, ethical, gambling and recreational risk‐taking). In addition, perceived costs and benefits mediated the relations between personality and risk‐taking in the five domains (social, ethical, gambling, recreational and investment risk‐taking). Evidence for a mechanism that integrates both direct and indirect effects of personality on behaviour is discussed.

Flood Perception and Mitigation: The Role of Severity, Agency, and Experience in the Purchase of Flood Protection, and the Communication of Flood Information

Protection of human life and property from flooding is a strategic priority in the UK. We examine how to encourage home owners to protect themselves and their residences. A model of factors that influence the decision to buy flood-protection devices is tested using survey data from 2109 home owners. The results show that the majority of respondents have not purchased domestic flood protection (N = 1732; 82.1%). Purchase of flood-protection devices was influenced by age; perceived seriousness; and beliefs about, and trust in, the role of regulators in managing flooding. In younger respondents the perceived seriousness of the dangers of flooding acted as precursors and barriers to action depending on individual sense of responsibility and agency. The second part of the study examines responsiveness to information. Information about flooding alone was insufficient to promote behavioural change, particularly among people who had not experienced a flood or who believed that they were not in a flood zone. Implications for understanding flood protection, managing agency issues, and flood-communication campaigns are discussed.

Determinants of defender-prospector strategic preferences: examining the effects of personality and culture

Abstract An exploratory study involving 273 Indian managers from India and Singapore measured the effects of demographic (age, sex, education, nationality, and culture), personality (locus of control, achievement need, and ambiguity intolerance), and work-related (organizational level, tenure, and organizational size) factors on managerial preference as measured by the defender-prospector (Miles & Snow, 1978) continuum. Blockwise regression analysis revealed that younger managers, male managers, and managers with high ambiguity tolerance were significantly more likely to prefer prospector strategies.