Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/215342 
Year of Publication: 
2020
Series/Report no.: 
IZA Discussion Papers No. 12946
Publisher: 
Institute of Labor Economics (IZA), Bonn
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.
Subjects: 
competitiveness
risk-taking
gender differences
JEL: 
J16
J44
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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