Risky Research Articles

Parenting Risk and Protective Factors in the Development of Conduct Problems in Seven Countries.

This study advances the understanding of risk and protective factors in trajectories of conduct problems in adolescence in seven countries that differ widely on a number of sociodemographic factors as well as norms related to adolescent behavior. Youth- and parent-report data from 988 adolescents in seven countries (Colombia, Italy, Kenya, Philippines, Sweden, Thailand, and the USA) who were followed longitudinally from ages 10 to 18 (yielding 6872 total data points) were subject to latent class growth analysis. A 4-class model provided the best fit to the data: Late Starters, Alcohol Experimenters, Mid-Adolescent Starters, and Pervasive Risk Takers. The probability of membership in each class differed by country in ways that were generally consistent with country-specific norms and expectations regarding adolescent behavior. Positive parenting was associated with a lower likelihood of adolescents' membership in the Pervasive Risk Takers class, whereas psychological control, monitoring/behavioral control, and autonomy granting were associated with a higher likelihood of membership in the Pervasive Risk Takers class. Associations between parenting and membership in the other classes suggest that some risk taking during adolescence is normative even when parenting is positive.

Unveiling the Dynamics: A Mixed-Methods Exploration of the Interplay Between Foreign Language Enjoyment, Risk-Taking, and Oral Corrective Feedback Preferences in English as a Foreign Language Classrooms

This exploratory mixed-methods study examined the relationships between foreign language enjoyment (FLE), risk-taking (RT), and oral corrective feedback (OCF) preferences among learners of English as a foreign language (EFL). Employing a triangulated research design, the study integrated quantitative data from a structured online questionnaire with qualitative insights from semi-structured interviews and reflective journals. The sample consisted of 523 Saudi students enrolled in a one-year preparatory program at a major public university in Saudi Arabia. The findings indicated a significant positive correlation between FLE and RT, which suggested that greater enjoyment in language learning was associated with increased willingness to engage in linguistic RT. The results also showed that the learners had moderate preferences for all types of OCF, with no single predominant method. Additionally, the study revealed that the learners’ preferences for specific types of OCF significantly influenced both their enjoyment and RT behavior. Gender differences were observed not only in FLE and RT but also in the OCF preferences, with the female learners exhibiting a stronger inclination toward interactive and participatory feedback forms. Furthermore, the study underscored the significant impact of FLE on English language proficiency, thereby affirming that greater enjoyment correlated with higher exam scores. The study offers pedagogical recommendations derived from its findings aimed at improving both the experience and outcomes of language learning. Received: 30 May 2024 / Accepted: 31 August 2024 / Published: 05 November 2024

Risk perceptions and risk behavior among children attending a road safety education program in Greece

Abstract Background Road Traffic Injuries (RTI’s) are a significant public health concern for children, placing a considerable burden on their well-being. Greece has consistently recorded high numbers of RTI’s among adolescents. Methods A university lab (LaHeRS, HMU) offers a road safety education program for primary and secondary students in Heraklion, Greece. The program consists of two parallel sessions (practical training using a driving simulator and activity-based risk-perception training) aimed at enhancing competencies in resilience to peer influence, empowering children to engage in informed decision-making and fostering hazard perceptions skills. The current presentation reports on 800 students who attended the program between October 2023 and April 2024. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data on student’s beliefs, attitudes and practices on road safety. Results A total of 800 students attended the program from the broader Crete Region. 50.5% were girls with a mean age of 12.6 (SD = 2.3) years, 60.9% secondary education students, 58% resided in rural areas. 33.9% reported using a motorcycle and 33.8% a car without a driving license. 23.3% reported experiencing a road traffic incident while commuting. 57.1% identified road safety as a problem in their place of residence, only 26.5% felt safe on local streets and only 9.1% considered other road users as watchful. Additionally, 66.8% highly valued helmet use as a precaution in short distances. 71.6% reported always wearing seatbelt in front seats and 68.9% thought seatbelts are important at back seats. 52.1% did not identify themselves as risk takers on the street, and only 22.5% felt competent in avoiding road risks. 32.9% admitted experiencing peer pressure while commuting. Conclusions Risk taking behaviors and low use of protective measures are prevalent among school aged children and need to be addressed through targeted road safety education programs and interventions. Key messages • Promoting safe behaviors and enhancing risk perception is critical among children and young adolescents. • Road safety education should be integrated into school curricula, starting from pre-school education.

Dividend Policy and Share Price Volatility of Listed Construction Firms at the Nairobi Securities Exchange, Kenya

The inherent volatility in all stock market scares low risk takers from the financial market and is capable of deterring investments. One of the factors that drives investors’ reactions to stock pricing is the dividend policy. This study examined the influence of dividend policy on the volatility of stock prices of construction firms listed at the Nairobi Securities Exchange for the period spanning five (5) years from 2019 to 2023. The study was dealt with on the following objectives; to examine the influence of dividend pay-out on share price volatility of listed construction firms at the NSE, Kenya, to determine the influence of dividend yield on share price volatility of listed construction firms at the NSE, Kenya. The study was guided by the: Dividend relevance theory, and dividend irrelevance theory. This study adopted a correlational research design while dealing with the research objectives. A census method was employed in data collection before analysis of the audited financial statements that was downloaded from the firm websites in arriving at detailed and well informed conclusions by employing Multiple regression, Correlation and ANOVA techniques using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) to establish the existence (or lack of it) of the relationship between the independent variables and the dependent variable of the study. The findings revealed that dividend policy influenced share price volatility by; dividend pay-out ratio (r=0.111, β=0.036, t=4.7240); and dividend yield (r= -0.018, β= -0.003, t= 2.7130). The study recommended that potential and existing investors should opt for listed firms in the construction sector with a high dividend payout ratio compared to the earnings generated by the firms; Investors to invest in firms with high dividend payouts. The study achieved its main objective. Keywords: Dividend Policy, Dividend Pay-out, Dividend Yield, Share Price Volatility

Are risk takers more likely to be self-employed?

Are risk takers more likely to be self-employed?

Benefit to Harm (B2H) Ratio for Bulk Vehicle to Grid (V2G) Services Using Lifetime Degradation Digital Twin: Emulating Various Dominant Degradation Mechanism

Vehicle-to-grid (V2G) services, utilizing electric vehicle (EV) batteries for grid support, enhance reliability and reduce peak energy demand. We present a physics-based model tuned for three different cell chemistry families and examine the influence of bulk V2G services on EV battery life. We consider various duty cycles, cell chemistries with nickel content (NMCxyz and various anode graphites), and associated dominant degradation mechanisms. To quantify the impact of offering V2G services, we introduce the V2G benefit-to-harm ratio (B2H). We define the benefit as the Ah gained with V2G and the harm as the life lost in days due to V2G, both compared to the baseline noV2G.B2H=(normalized Ah gained by 70% capacity fade) divided by (time in days reduction by the time that capacity fade has reached 70%). Note that the 70% capacity fade can be changed for various vehicle models depending on the warranty definition of the % capacity or usable battery energy (UBE) at the end of the warranty.Our findings indicate that the dominant degradation mechanism plays a crucial role in the benefit-to-harm (B2H) ratio of V2G or vehicle-to-building (V2B) [1]. Specifically, we clarify that the relative contribution of calendar aging to overall capacity loss is pivotal in determining the degradation due to V2G and possible associated benefits.Our model takes into account four degradation mechanisms based on a single-particle model. SEI growth and cathode transition metal dissolution are part of the calendar aging loss of lithium inventory (LLICal). The remaining LLI is attributed to Li-plating and mechanical degradation caused by particle cracking.We calibrate the model for three families of cell chemistries and conditions. The primary degradation mechanism for one cell family is anode mechanical degradation (LAMNeg). The second family of cells predominantly ages due to SEI layer growth, and the third family is degrading due to both mechanisms [2].We show that, in cases with a higher contribution of calendar aging to degradation (LLICal/LLI), V2G can be potentially more beneficial (in Ah gained by 70% capacity fade) than harmful (lifetime reduction in days by the time that capacity fade has reached 70%). Furthermore, we have evidence that the V2G charging pattern can have a secondary effect on the B2H ratio. For example, being a risk taker and charging the battery late or being cautious and charging it as soon as possible can lead to different degrees of degradation depending on the chemistry and conditions of the battery [3].With our multiphysics reduced order model of battery lifetime degradation, we fully explain why previous studies [4] have shown that the impact on EV battery degradation varies from inconsequential [5] to projecting a need for early battery replacement [6]. Our results clarify that battery chemistry and usage patterns are important factors in determining whether or not to utilize a vehicle for grid support, as well as the overall financial impact on the owner and OEM warranty.

Analisis Trade-Off Theory dan Pecking Order Theory Terhadap Struktur Modal

people hence its liquidity. Through incentive given by the government, property sector in Indonesia is believed to have good performance. Incentives such as subvention for price and VAT are given and supposed to increase purchasing power. The reality is market intentions and incentives provided by the government still do not essentially guarantee a company’s sustainability. Therefore, this study is meant to identify variables that considered to be the most relevant theory in funding decisions of property and real estate companies in Indonesia. This study is descriptive quantitative research using purposive sampling method and utilise 70 observations data that would be processed by panel data regression analysis. It is founded that through trade-off theory, a business risk perspective is considered to have no effect in determining the capital structure. Other perspectives from trade-off theory and pecking theory which are debt tax shield and financial deficit are considered to have positive effect, but firm age has negative effect on determining the capital structure. Through this research, company in property and real estate sector in Indonesia can be considered as a moderate risk taker because their capital structure will be increasing when having benefit from tax or facing financial deficit. They still consider the external factors and tend to fine with the risk and balancing the trade-off between the risk and the benefit of the source of fund

Physiology of Risk-Taking and Risk Management in Realistic Decision-Making Scenarios.

Decisions under risk are a particular case of decisional skills taking place in complex and mostly unpredictable situations, where affective connotation of deciding is highly relevant. We aimed at investigating decisional processes under risk by outlining individual risk-taking (RT) and risk management (RM) attitudes via realistic decision-making and, in keeping with the risk-as-feeling hypothesis, at exploring implicit physiological correlates of such processes. 35 participants were presented with realistic situations where they had to make decisions by choosing between alternatives connoted by different levels of riskiness. Concurrently, autonomic physiological activation (cardiovascular and electrodermal activity) was recorded. Data analysis highlighted that: (i) participants showed higher propensity towards risk management than risk-taking; (ii) the propensity towards both risk taking and risk management was significantly determined by physiological markers of autonomic activity; and (iii) risk taking and risk management indices showed associations with different autonomic measures, respectively heart rate and skin conductance metrics.

Insomnia symptom prevalence in England: a comparison of cross-sectional self-reported data and primary care records in the UK Biobank

ObjectivesWe aimed to use a large dataset to compare self-reported and primary care measures of insomnia symptom prevalence in England and establish whether they identify participants with similar characteristics.DesignCross-sectional study...

AMBIVALENCE AND SUBVERSION IN MISSIONARY NARRATIVES

Postcolonial studies have focused much of their attention on critiquing imperialism and its repercussions. In this process charges have been levelled not only against the imperialists, who are the primary agents in establishing this colossal exploitative enterprise, but also on informal agents like missionaries who were also present at the scene during that period This study aims to analyse the persistent debate over the part played by the missionaries in the consolidation of the empire. It has been a postcolonial refrain that missionary writings played a significant role in creating a larger than life image of the missionaries as pioneer risk takers and conveniently othering the natives and representing them as barbarians passively awaiting rescue and relief. Consequently, the relation between missionaries and the empire has been the subject of much debate and deliberations, hence this paper examines this charge by analysing select missionary writings to prove whether these incriminate them or stand antithetical to colonialism as a digressive mechanism.For this purpose the paper closely scrutinizes Native Life in Travancore and The Land of Charity: A Descriptive Account of Travancore and its People, with Especial Reference to Missionary Labour – which are ethnographic accounts penned by an LMS missionary Samuel Mateer, to investigate whether or not missionary writings extend as imperialist discourses. The argument affected is that, these texts display ambivalence and hence, cannot be labelled as unequivocally imperialist. The surfacing of multiple conflicting impulses in these writings, problematise a simplistic categorisation of it as a pure imperialistic discourse.

" I'm not a risk taker " : Risk Perceptions of Nursing Home Residents With Dementia.

Persons living with Alzheimer disease and related dementia (ADRD) in nursing homes (NH) are often excluded from conversations about their health/safety. These omissions impinge on personhood and the rights to have care preferences heard and honored. While persons with ADRD maintain the ability to communicate their preferences long after their decision-making abilities are affected, little is known about how persons with ADRD understand the risks associated with their preferences. As part of a larger focused ethnography, in-depth interviews and an adapted risk propensity questionnaire explored the risk perceptions of NH residents with ADRD (N=7) associated with their preferences for care and activities of daily living. Residents generally self-identified as risk avoiders ( M =3.2±1.84) on the risk propensity scale and were able to rate risk associated with preferences described within 5 thematic categories: 1) participation in decision-making, 2) risk awareness, 3) paying attention to safety, 4) reliance on nursing home staff and family, and 5) impacts on quality of life and quality of care. Results suggest NH residents with ADRD can express risk surrounding their preferences and should be encouraged to participate in discussions about their health and safety.

Growing Entrepreneurs: Cultivating Success for Tomorrow’s Economy

The Entrepreneur acts as a trigger head to give spark to economic activities by his entrepreneurial decisions. Entrepreneurship is the process of designing, launching and running of a new business which is often initially a small business. Entrepreneurship plays a significant role in economic development of a country. It is most powerful weapon in the hand of one to fight against poverty and unemployment. Entrepreneurs are like gamblers, and like are gambler, their chance of winning increase if they have the right cards. The role of entrepreneurship in economic development varies from economy to economy depending upon its material, resources, industry climate and political system of the country. Entrepreneurship is one of the most important inputs in the economic development of a country. An entrepreneur supplies risk capital as a risk taker, and monitors and controls the business activities. The entrepreneur is usually a sole proprietor, a partner, or the one who owns the majority of shares in an incorporated venture. This paper therefore, seeks to discuss entrepreneurship as one of the factor that influences the economy of a nation, either directly or indirectly. . This present paper is an attempt to diagnose and critically analyse the qualitative aspects, programs, reports on Entrepreneurship in Indian context.

Examine the interaction impact of psychological characteristics on individual entrepreneurial orientation and cyberpreneurship intentions

In a rapidly evolving digital economy, cyberpreneurship has emerged as a pivotal force driving innovation and economic growth. The study applies the Theory of Planned Behaviour in predicting entrepreneurial intention in the context of Malaysia, where the government has actively championed digital entrepreneurship. Drawing from a sample of 473 final-year university students in the Klang Valley region of Malaysia, the study investigates the impact of Individual Entrepreneurial Orientation (IEO) dimensions, namely innovativeness, risk-taking, and proactiveness, on the intention to engage in cyberpreneurship within the context of Digital Free Trade Zones (DFTZ). The study further examines the moderation effect of psychological characteristics incorporating visionary thinking, self-efficacy, opportunism, and creativity to provide a comprehensive understanding of the factors influencing cyberpreneurial intentions. With the moderating variable, the paper presents a comprehensive model to investigate the IEO and psychological characteristics contributing to cyberpreneurship intentions and its impact on engagement in DFTZ. An empirical examination of data and hypotheses found that risk-taking (RISK) and proactiveness (PRO) are significantly related to cyberpreneurial intention. Psychological characteristics significantly proved its moderating role in its interaction with innovatiness (INNO), risk-taking (RISK), and proactivness (PRO) in influencing cyberpreneurial intentions (CYBER_PI). Innovativeness (INNO) without the influence of the moderating variable is not significantly related to cyberpreneurial intentions. Engagement with the Digital Free Trade Zone (DFTZ) through the mediating role of cyberpreneurial intentions (CYBER_PI), the innovativeness (INNO) did not succeed. On the other hand, risk-taking (RISK) and proactiveness (PRO) are found to be significant. The paper contributes to the landscape of e-commerce and digital trade literature by advancing our understanding of the factors driving individuals’ intentions to participate in cyberpreneurship and engage in DFTZ. The findings of this study provide valuable insights for policymakers, educators, and entrepreneurs alike.

Underdog entrepreneurship: a model to predict the success of poor entrepreneurs

Purpose While extensive research exists on how positive life circumstances and positive personality traits promote entrepreneurship, there is little research focusing on how negative personal circumstances may potentially breed entrepreneurship. This study aims to build upon the theory of underdog entrepreneurship to examine the effect of challenging life circumstances such as poverty on the development of entrepreneurial traits in underdog entrepreneurs. This research analyzed the effect of risk-taking (RT) on the entrepreneurial success (ES) of underdog entrepreneurs and the role of optimism (OPM) and persistence (P) as mediating variables and poverty as a moderator variable. Design/methodology/approach A cross-sectional survey was conducted to collect data from 400 micro-finance borrowers of Akhuwat Foundation Pakistan. Akhuwat provides interest-free small loans to the poor segment of society. Preliminary testing of the survey questionnaire with a sample of 35 borrowers of Akhuwat Foundation in Lahore city was conducted before data collection. Data was collected from four randomly selected branches in Lahore city. Findings The authors found that OPM and P significantly mediate the relationship between RT and ES. In addition, the authors analyzed the moderating effect of poverty on the relationship between OPM and ES and found a negative moderating effect. A strong positive moderating effect of poverty was found on the relationship between P and ES. The results of multi-group analysis show that successful and unsuccessful underdog entrepreneurs differ in their RT propensity, which is significantly mediated by OPM and P. Originality/value This study provides empirical evidence on entrepreneurial traits and success of poor entrepreneur in an emerging economy. This work is original and has not been submitted elsewhere.

IMPACTS OF RISK PREFERENCE AND SOCIAL INSURANCE ON HOUSEHOLD FINANCIAL MARKET PARTICIPATION IN CHINA: ARE THERE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN URBAN AND RURAL RESIDENTS?

This letter examines the impact of risk preference and social insurance on household financial market participation and diversification using the 2017 and 2019 China Household Finance Survey. A multi-value treatment model is used to address the selection bias between risk preference and household financial investment, considering the moderation role of social insurance in between. Overall, our results show that high-risk takers are more likely to participate in the financial market and diversify their portfolios than low risk takers. Focusing on rural and urban differentials, we find marked differences in the impacts of risk preference and social insurance on household financial investment. Having social insurance may widen the difference in investment decisions between high- and low-risk takers in urban areas; the latter group tends not to participate in or diversify when socially insured. In contrast, having social insurance encourages low- and intermediate-risk preferred rural households to participate in the financial market and diversify their financial portfolios. Our work highlights the different consequences of social insurance on investment incentives of the rural and urban households. Whilst the obvious benefits of having social insurance for rural households via risk-sharing, there is undesired consequence of incentive distortion of urban households.

Assessing the Relationship between Competencies and Personal Qualities towards Organizational Performance

This study examines the relationship between librarian’s competencies and personal qualities towards the organization's performance. There are three competencies’ dimensions described in this study, namely the technical skills, human skills, and conceptual skills. Conversely, the ten personal qualities dimension of librarians are achiever, able to take control, self-awareness, innovate, risk taker, open-minded, responsible, social, courteous, and ambitious. A questionnaire was used as the main instrument in gathering data, and a total of 634 respondents were involved in this survey. A survey instrument with a seven-point interval scale was built around nine competencies and ten personal qualities variables.

Prediction of Translation Quality by Risk-Taking and Critical Thinking Among Translation Learners

The main objective of the present study was to investigate the relationship between Iranian translation learners’ critical thinking (CT), risk-taking (RT), and their English-to-Persian translation quality. To achieve this aim, a group of 120 male and female university students majoring in English translation (ET) were selected based on convenience sampling. Then, two questionnaires, namely CT and RT, were administered to them. Along with the questionnaires, two texts were given to all participants to translate. The quality of translations was assessed based on Farahzad’s (1992) model by two raters. After data collection and analysis, it was revealed that there was a positive and significant relationship between participants’ CT and RT and their translation quality. Moreover, further data analysis showed that RT was a better predictor of translation quality than CT. The findings of this study would be applicable to translation learners, teachers, and translation training courses.

Strategic Analysis of Informatization of International Trade Enterprises’ Economic Management Models Based on Game Theory Models

Abstract Exploring the economic management models of international trade enterprises, this research highlights the significant role of informatization strategies informed by game theory. Through the prism of game theory, we analyze the interplay among various stakeholders, including risk takers, managers, and executors. Our study reveals that appropriate risk-taking can drastically lower operational risks. A case in point is Company A, which witnessed a notable improvement in financial stability, with its Z-score rising from 2.6785 in 2005 to 4.6314 in 2022. As theAnalysis shows, effective risk management plays a pivotal role in boosting economic efficiency, evident through enhanced total asset turnover and gross operating margins. This study underscores the utility of a game theory-based economic management model in improving risk management and financial efficiency, thereby advancing the implementation and refinement of informatization strategies within enterprises.

Does knowledge management mediate the relationship between entrepreneurial orientation and firm performance?

PurposeThis study investigates the impact of entrepreneurial orientation (EO) and knowledge management (KM) on firm performance (PERF), as well as the mediating role of KM in the EO–PERF (EO-PERF relationship). In particular, this study aims to explain the impact of KM on the relationship between the EO dimensions and PERF; dimensions are risk-taking (RT), innovativeness (IN) and proactiveness (PR).Design/methodology/approachThis study uses structural equation modelling and fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) methodologies to explore target relationships. The sample consists of 150 small furniture manufacturers operating in Poland (out of 1,480 in the population).FindingsThe study findings show that KM partially mediates the IN–PERF relationship. Furthermore, fsQCA reveals that KM accompanied by IN is a core condition that leads to PERF. Moreover, the absence of KM (accompanied by the absence of RT and IN) leads to the absence of PERF. In addition, the results show that all the variables examined (RT, IN, PR and KM) positively impact PERF.Originality/valueThis study explores the role of KM in the context of EO and its impact on PERF in the low-tech industry. The study uses simultaneously two methodologies that represent different approaches in the search for the expected relationships. The findings reveal that KM mediates the EO-PERF relationship.

Risk taker or risk averse? Stories from early childhood leaders that demonstrate the complexities involved in empowering young children to take safe risks in the outdoors

Risk-taking in the outdoors provides opportunities for young tamariki to develop their physical skills and learn to self-manage risk. Within an early childhood setting many policies and regulations are in place to ensure that tamariki are kept safe from harm. Early childhood leaders are tasked with the challenge of managing the tension between providing sufficient opportunities for tamariki to engage in risk-taking while following regulations to successfully eliminate any hazards that could cause serious harm. The scenarios and voices of the key informants presented in this article demonstrate ways that safe risk-taking opportunities can be implemented while navigating this tension.