The first paper examines the value of a statistical life (VSL) for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) victims. We found VSL values to be higher for OHCA victims than for people who die in road traffic accidents and a lower-bound estimate of VSL for OHCA would be in the range of 20 to 30 million Swedish crowns (SEK). The second paper concerns hypothetical bias in contingent valuation (CV) studies. We investigate the link between the determinants and empirical treatment of uncertainty through certainty calibration and find that the higher the confidence of the respondents the more we can trust that stated WTP is correlated to actual WTP. The third paper investigates the performance of two communication aids (a flexible community analogy and an array of dots) in valuing mortality risk reductions for OHCA. The results do not support the prediction of expected utility theory, i.e. that WTP for a mortality risk reduction increases with the amount of risk reduction (weak scope sensitivity), for any of the communication aids. The fourth paper presents a cost-benefit analysis to evaluate the effects of dual dispatch defibrillation by ambulance and fire services in the County of Stockholm. The intervention had positive economic effects, yielding a benefit-cost ratio of 36, a cost per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) of € 13 000 and the cost per saved life was € 60 000. The fifth paper explores how different response times from OHCA to defibrillation affect patients’ survival rates by using geographic information systems (GIS). The model predicted a baseline survival rate of 3.9% and reducing the ambulance response time by 1 minute increased survival to 4.6%. The sixth paper analyzes demographic determinants of incident experience and risk perception, and the relationship between the two, for eight different risk domains. Males and highly educated respondents perceive their risks lower than what is expected compared to actual incident experience.

The study investigated three aspects related to smoking, namely, smoking behaviour, risk perception and attitudes to anti-smoking legislation. The theoretical framework of the study was the Information-Motivation-Behavioural (IMB) skills model. The study was a quantitative one, making use of a cross-sectional survey design to obtain data about the three variables of interest. Responses to statements about risk perception and attitudes to anti-smoking legislation in the questionnaire were arranged on a three-point Likert scale. The inferential statistics used were one-sample ttests and Chi-square analyses. The results showed an overall smoking prevalence of 16%, with twice as many females than males being smokers in the sample. ‘Coloured’ students in both genders had the highest smoking rate compared to all other race groups. The knowledge of the health risks of smoking were very high, however smokers had a lower perception of risk compared to non-smokers. Moreover, while there was a fair amount of support for anti-smoking legislation among smokers, smokers tended to show less support for legislation than non-smokers, especially to those parts of the legislation that affect them more directly. The results of the study indicate a clear connection between smoking behaviour and the effect it has on both risk perception as well as attitudes to anti-smoking legislation in individuals.

根據EOLembrain東方快線2011年11月份所進行的調查發現，雖然團購市場發展蓬勃，依然有高達44%的人沒有團購經驗。顯現出團購固然方便，還是有其風險所在，像是商品不如預期、等待時間過長、被盜用帳號等，使人們有所顧慮。過去針對團購的研究中，大多將知覺風險當成團購行為的前因，卻忽略知覺風險事實上也被不同因素所影響著。本研究提出一個中介模式來探討團購中知覺風險的前因（消費者性格特質、資源投入感知）與團購行為的關連性。研究結果發現，知覺風險低者，有團購經驗的可能性越高，而知覺風險又會中介信任特質、多疑特質、資源投入感知與團購行為的關係。信任特質高者其知覺風險低，故越可能有團購經驗，多疑特質高者其知覺風險低，故抑制其團購行為，而消費者因感知較大的資源投入，而有較大的知覺風險，因此也抑制了團購行為。 / According to EOLembrain’s survey, 44% Taiwanese people don’t have group buying experience. It shows that people have different levels of perceived risk in terms of group buying owing to their different characters. Also, there are some worries behind the trend, such as product issue, long waiting time and account privacy issue.While past researches focus on how perceived risk affects consumption behavior, they ignore the fact that some factors also have influence on perceived risk. This study aims to understand how perceived risk is affected by different antecedents like personalities (adventurousness, trust, distrust and cautiousness) and perceived resources input. The study also proposes a mediation model to explore the relations between the antecedents, the risk perception and group buying experience. The result shows that people with higher level of trust have lower perceived risk and higher chance to attend group buying. On the contrary, people with higher level of distrust have higher perceived risk and lower chance to attend group buying. Furthermore, people with higher cautiousness also have lower chance to attend group buying. While adventurousness has no significant relevance to perceived risk and group buying experience, people with higher level of adventurousness will have higher frequency of group buying.

For business organizations the concept of risk has always been important. Lately, this importance has been enhanced due to a number of corporate and societal circumstances. New and previously unconsidered risks are gaining increased significance in the overall risk management of many companies. This doctoral thesis takes a wide approach and examines factors relating to the evolving area of operational risk management. It focuses on risks that concern firms’ operations rather than merely financial risk exposures. The thesis consists of four empirical studies that address diverse but interrelated aspects of operational risk in Swedish industry settings. Building on four sets of independent data collections, they apply both quantitative and qualitative methods. The thesis reports results of operational risk management regarding organizational aspects, perceived challenges, the regulative environment, current societal and business trends, and various stakeholders. Issues like trust, risk perception, risk communication, corporate value, reputation, and brand value are also discussed. On the whole, the empirical findings indicate that a new risk paradigm has emerged. As society has boosted the management of various risks as a corporate responsibility, the costs of failing to manage such risks have increased substantially. / Diss. Stockholm : Handelshögskolan, 2009 Sammanfattning jämte 4 uppsatser

Thesis (M.Sc.)--University of Alberta, 2009. / A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Agricultural and Resource Economics, Department of Rural Economy. Title from pdf file main screen (viewed on September 20, 2009). Includes bibliographical references.

Uppsatsen undersöker hur de upplevda riskerna påverkar stockholmarnas vardagliga liv. Denna studie genomfördes med hjälp av kvalitativ metod och ett induktivt tillvägagångssätt valdes av författaren. 24 intervjuer med stockholmare genomfördes inom ramen för projekten. Dessa, med hjälp av innehållsanalysen bearbetade intervjuer, lades till grund för de slutsatser som presenteras i studien. Uppsatsen uppmärksammar kluvenheten i frågan om uppfattning av sin livsmiljö och dess säkerhet/trygghet som präglar stockholmarnas existens. Den kluvna uppfattningen av säkerhet och trygghet benämns av författaren för den partiella tryggheten. Samexistensen av känslan av trygghet och otrygghet kännetecknar den partiella tryggheten. Upplevelsen av den partiella tryggheten ses i ett större sammanhang och det påvisas hur den vid applicering på stockholmarnas vardag försämrar deras livskvalité, sätter begränsningar på deras rörelse- och handlingsfrihet samt i slutändan gör staden mindre tillgänglig. / The thesis studies how perceived risks affect the daily life of inhabitants of Stockholm, Sweden. The study was conducted through qualitative method and an inductive approach was selected by the author. 24 interviews with Stockholmers were conducted within the framework of the projects. These through the means of content analysis processed interviews were used as a basis for the conclusions presented in the study. The thesis considers the ambiguity in the question of perception of environment and the security/safety thereof, which characterises the existence of Stockholmers. The ambiguous perception of security and safety is by the author named partial safety. Coexistence of the sense of safety and unsafety characterizes partial security. The experience of partial safety is seen as a more comprehensive context and it is shown how it, when applied to the everyday life of Stockholmers, has a negative impact on their quality of life, imposes limits on their freedom of movement and -action, as well as ultimately makes the city less accessible.

In the West African country Ghana, which has a history of poor natural resource management, discovery of offshore petroleum resources in 2007 and subsequent commercial production in 2010 (with British multinational Tullow Oil as lead operator) is a potential source of potential wealth and inequality. Using the Cultural Theory of Risk, Social Amplification of Risk Framework, and the Corporate Sustainability Framework — a proposed model—as theoretical foundations, this dissertation examines corporate sustainability practices, communication, and their implications for local residents’ risk perceptions, corporate reputation, and risk management. The study also assesses how cultural worldviews and informational networks (e.g., an environmental group, opinion leaders, and media) amplify or attenuate residents’ risks perceptions. Data were collected via interviews with key actors including a non-governmental organization (NGO), a survey of a representative sample of Half Assini residents in one of the six coastal districts that adjoin Ghana’s offshore petroleum region, and analyses of Tullow’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) reports and other communication texts. Extant worldview and corporate reputation measures were also developed/adapted and tested. The study finds support for the view that cultural worldview and affect are associated with public risk perceptions. Thus, individuals who (a) do not subscribe to the worldview that government ought to regulate corporate behaviors, (b) show a relatively high sense of attachment to their communities, (c) rate the images associated with Ghana’s offshore oil production favorably, and (d) rate the images associated with Tullow Oil positively are more likely to be worried that Ghana’s offshore oil production poses significant risks for the country and their local communities. Regarding corporate sustainability communication, the study observes that Tullow uses a predominantly technical, expert-driven approach, which seeks to discursively position it as an aspirational, engaged, and responsible organization. While critiquing Tullow’s corporate sustainability and communication approach, the research also argues that corporate sustainability (CSR and risk) communication has the potential to constitute desirable corporate practices and could ultimately culminate in meaningful social change. Theoretical contributions to risk perception, risk management/communication, corporate reputation, and CSR communication are discussed. Practical implications for advocacy, corporate practices, and public participation in environmental decision-making are discussed.

[pt] Com a implantação e disseminação de novos sistemas celulares,principalmente a partir dos anos 80, novas tecnologias foram desenvolvidas, o número de celulares cresceu de forma surpreendente, como conseqüência, o aumento de Estações Radio Base. É fato, também, que as pessoas, de modo geral, estão expostas às radiações emitidas pelas ERBs através de suas antenas. Como a população, a mais interessada na busca de respostas adequadas e convincentes, não tem qualquer controle sobre tais níveis, cabe as autoridades a preocupação maior em garantir que os níveis de exposição não sejam excedidos. A partir deste quadro preocupante a OMS estabeleceu em 1996 o International EMF Project para avaliar as evidências cientificas existentes sobre possíveis efeitos de campos eletromagnéticos à saúde,incluindo nestes os efeitos emitidos pelos próprios aparelhos celulares e por suas estações rádio-base. Este trabalho pretende contribuir no equacionamento desta questão, tão polemica e controversa. Iniciando com a evolução do número de celulares no Brasil, mostrando as funções básicas dos componentes de uma estrutura celular. No momento seguinte são mostrados alguns efeitos biológicos relacionados à radiação não-ionizante pesquisados na literatura. Tais efeitos, polêmicos e controversos, são amplamente discutidos por especialistas de diferentes linhas de pesquisa. O trabalho mostra, também, os resultados de uma campanha de medidas com as densidades de potência obtidas através de duas metodologias. Inclui, também, conceitos e características de percepção de risco e alguns resultados da pesquisa qualitativa de campo. Ao final são apresentadas as conclusões e sugestões para trabalhos futuros relacionados ao tema. / [en] With the implantation and spread of new cellular systems, mainly starting from the eighties, new technologies were developed, the number of cellular grew in a surprising way, as consequence, the Base Stations increased, too. The people, in general, are exposed to the radiations emitted by ERBs antennae. As the population doesn't have any control on such levels, people are always looking for appropriate and convincing answers. So, the authorities are concerned in guaranteeing that the exposition levels are not exceeded. Based on preoccupying issue, the World Health Organization (WHO) established in 1996 International EMF Project to verify the scientific evidence of possible health effects of Electromagnetic Field. This work intends to contribute in the set out of this controversial subject. At first, the cellular number evolution in Brazil is presented. In addition, the basic cellular structure components functions are described. The following topic presents some biological effects related to the non-ionizing radiation are presented according to the literature. Such controversial effects are discussed thoroughly by specialists of different research lines. This work also shows the power densities results obtained through two methodologies. Afterwards, concepts, risk perception characteristics and some results from a qualitative research are presented. At the end, the conclusions and suggestions for future works related to the same theme are shown.

Nesta tese são desenvolvidos três estudos sobre o risco associado aos acidentes de trânsito, com o objetivo de avaliar como a população o percebe, e o valor que estaria disposta a pagar para reduzi-lo. As análises foram feitas com duas diferentes metodologias econométricas e dois diferentes conjuntos de dados da população de Porto Alegre. O primeiro estudo procurou avaliar que fatores de risco contribuem para aumentar a gravidade dos acidentes de trânsito, utilizando dados de acidentes de trânsito ocorridos na cidade de Porto Alegre no período 2000-2008, através de modelos logit ordenados generalizados. Os resultados indicam que a maioria das vítimas feridas em acidentes de trânsito são condutores jovens, do sexo masculino e que estavam em motocicletas ou cujo acidente foi um choque contra obstáculos. Contudo, as vítimas fatais têm maior probabilidade de morte são os pedestres, com mais de 60 anos de idade. Os acidentes com maior gravidade ocorrem em maior proporção a noite ou finais de semana, em locais mais afastados do centro da cidade, o que sugere comportamento associado à alta velocidade e uso de substâncias psicoativas como álcool. Para os demais estudos utilizaram-se dados de um survey feito com a população de Porto Alegre em 2009. O segundo estudo avalia como as características sócio-demográficas, a experiência no trânsito e a informação recebida, afetam a percepção do risco e o comportamento no trânsito. Os resultados indicam que os indivíduos que tem risco maior de morte no trânsito subestimam seu próprio risco e vice-versa; e que os mais jovens têm maior percepção deste risco, assim como os que tiveram experiência de acidente de trânsito ou passam mais tempo expostos a ele. O risco do consumo de bebidas alcoólicas associado ao trânsito, no entanto é percebido maior pelos idosos, mulheres, não bebedores ou quem não tem comportamento de risco, assim como pelos que têm mais informação do risco. Da mesma maneira, o comportamento de risco no trânsito associado ao consumo de álcool está negativamente relacionado a percepção deste risco e a idade. O terceiro estudo estimou a disposição a pagar ( ) dos entrevistados pela redução no seu próprio risco de sofrer lesões em um acidente de trânsito e o valor de uma vida estatística ( ), utilizando modelos lineares e não-lineares ajustados através de uma transformação Box-Cox. Os resultados indicam que a esta relacionada de forma decrescente com a idade e com a não utilização de dispositivos de segurança, mas aumenta com a renda, o tempo de exposição ao trânsito, a experiência com acidentes, para as mulheres e para os que têm dependentes. O valor médio eliciado da para reduzir a zero o risco das lesões mais graves, que resultam em morte, implicou em de cerca de R$ 13,4 milhões (US$7,3 milhões) - valor menor, porém comparável ao encontrado para países desenvolvidos e em estudo para o Brasil. / This thesis develops three studies on the risk associated with traffic accidents, in order to assess how people perceive it and the value they would be willing to pay to reduce it. The analysis was made with two different econometric methods and two different sets of data from Porto Alegre's population. The first study to assess at risk factors that contribute to increased severity of accidents, using data obtained from traffic accidents in the city of Porto Alegre between the years 2000 and 2008, and applying the generalized ordered logit. The results indicate that most of the victims injured in accidents are young drivers, males, motorcyclists and whose crash was a “collision with obstacles”. However, fatal victims have a different profile: they are pedestrians, over 60 years old. The most serious accidents occur in greater proportions at nights or weekends, at locations further away from the city center, which suggests behavior associated with high speed driving and the use of psychoactive substances, such as alcohol. The other two studies used data from a survey done with the population of Porto Alegre in 2009. The second study evaluates how socio-demographic characteristics, traffic experience and the information received about the risks of driving under the influence of alcohol, affect risk perception and behavior in the traffic. The results indicate that individuals who have greater risk of dying in traffic, underestimate their own risk and vice versa; and that young people as well as those who have been in an accident or those who spend a lot of time in traffic, have a greater perception of their risk. On the other hand, the risk of alcohol consumption associated with traffic, is perceived better by older people, women, non-drinkers, people without risky behavior, and those who are more aware of the risks of driving under the influence of alcohol. Similarly, risky behavior in traffic, related to alcohol consumption, is inversely proportional to perception of risk and to age. The third study estimated the respondents' willingness to pay ( ) for the reduction in their risk of suffering injuries in a traffic accident, as well as the value of a statistical life ( ), using linear and nonlinear models adjusted by the Box-Cox transformation. The results indicate that the decreases with age and with not using safety devices, but increases with income, exposure to traffic, and the accidents experience, for women and for those who have dependents. The average value elicited by to reduce to zero the risk of severe injuries that result in death, implied a of about R$13.4 million (US$ 7.3 million) - lower, but still a comparable value to that found in developed countries, and studied in Brazil.

Nesta tese são desenvolvidos três estudos sobre o risco associado aos acidentes de trânsito, com o objetivo de avaliar como a população o percebe, e o valor que estaria disposta a pagar para reduzi-lo. As análises foram feitas com duas diferentes metodologias econométricas e dois diferentes conjuntos de dados da população de Porto Alegre. O primeiro estudo procurou avaliar que fatores de risco contribuem para aumentar a gravidade dos acidentes de trânsito, utilizando dados de acidentes de trânsito ocorridos na cidade de Porto Alegre no período 2000-2008, através de modelos logit ordenados generalizados. Os resultados indicam que a maioria das vítimas feridas em acidentes de trânsito são condutores jovens, do sexo masculino e que estavam em motocicletas ou cujo acidente foi um choque contra obstáculos. Contudo, as vítimas fatais têm maior probabilidade de morte são os pedestres, com mais de 60 anos de idade. Os acidentes com maior gravidade ocorrem em maior proporção a noite ou finais de semana, em locais mais afastados do centro da cidade, o que sugere comportamento associado à alta velocidade e uso de substâncias psicoativas como álcool. Para os demais estudos utilizaram-se dados de um survey feito com a população de Porto Alegre em 2009. O segundo estudo avalia como as características sócio-demográficas, a experiência no trânsito e a informação recebida, afetam a percepção do risco e o comportamento no trânsito. Os resultados indicam que os indivíduos que tem risco maior de morte no trânsito subestimam seu próprio risco e vice-versa; e que os mais jovens têm maior percepção deste risco, assim como os que tiveram experiência de acidente de trânsito ou passam mais tempo expostos a ele. O risco do consumo de bebidas alcoólicas associado ao trânsito, no entanto é percebido maior pelos idosos, mulheres, não bebedores ou quem não tem comportamento de risco, assim como pelos que têm mais informação do risco. Da mesma maneira, o comportamento de risco no trânsito associado ao consumo de álcool está negativamente relacionado a percepção deste risco e a idade. O terceiro estudo estimou a disposição a pagar ( ) dos entrevistados pela redução no seu próprio risco de sofrer lesões em um acidente de trânsito e o valor de uma vida estatística ( ), utilizando modelos lineares e não-lineares ajustados através de uma transformação Box-Cox. Os resultados indicam que a esta relacionada de forma decrescente com a idade e com a não utilização de dispositivos de segurança, mas aumenta com a renda, o tempo de exposição ao trânsito, a experiência com acidentes, para as mulheres e para os que têm dependentes. O valor médio eliciado da para reduzir a zero o risco das lesões mais graves, que resultam em morte, implicou em de cerca de R$ 13,4 milhões (US$7,3 milhões) - valor menor, porém comparável ao encontrado para países desenvolvidos e em estudo para o Brasil. / This thesis develops three studies on the risk associated with traffic accidents, in order to assess how people perceive it and the value they would be willing to pay to reduce it. The analysis was made with two different econometric methods and two different sets of data from Porto Alegre's population. The first study to assess at risk factors that contribute to increased severity of accidents, using data obtained from traffic accidents in the city of Porto Alegre between the years 2000 and 2008, and applying the generalized ordered logit. The results indicate that most of the victims injured in accidents are young drivers, males, motorcyclists and whose crash was a “collision with obstacles”. However, fatal victims have a different profile: they are pedestrians, over 60 years old. The most serious accidents occur in greater proportions at nights or weekends, at locations further away from the city center, which suggests behavior associated with high speed driving and the use of psychoactive substances, such as alcohol. The other two studies used data from a survey done with the population of Porto Alegre in 2009. The second study evaluates how socio-demographic characteristics, traffic experience and the information received about the risks of driving under the influence of alcohol, affect risk perception and behavior in the traffic. The results indicate that individuals who have greater risk of dying in traffic, underestimate their own risk and vice versa; and that young people as well as those who have been in an accident or those who spend a lot of time in traffic, have a greater perception of their risk. On the other hand, the risk of alcohol consumption associated with traffic, is perceived better by older people, women, non-drinkers, people without risky behavior, and those who are more aware of the risks of driving under the influence of alcohol. Similarly, risky behavior in traffic, related to alcohol consumption, is inversely proportional to perception of risk and to age. The third study estimated the respondents' willingness to pay ( ) for the reduction in their risk of suffering injuries in a traffic accident, as well as the value of a statistical life ( ), using linear and nonlinear models adjusted by the Box-Cox transformation. The results indicate that the decreases with age and with not using safety devices, but increases with income, exposure to traffic, and the accidents experience, for women and for those who have dependents. The average value elicited by to reduce to zero the risk of severe injuries that result in death, implied a of about R$13.4 million (US$ 7.3 million) - lower, but still a comparable value to that found in developed countries, and studied in Brazil.