Academic discipline and risk perception of technologies: An empirical study

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Academic discipline and risk perception of technologies: An empirical study. / Weisenfeld, Ursula; Ott, Ingrid.
In: Research Policy, Vol. 40, No. 3, 04.2011, p. 487-499.

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@article{06a1b4c108c546608c02218b4d55c2f7,
title = "Academic discipline and risk perception of technologies: An empirical study",
abstract = "This article brings together two areas of research: studies on risk perception of technologies and studies on vocational/career choice. This is an important link since decisions concerning technologies are influenced by decision makers' risk perceptions and these in turn may be related to educational and career paths. We analyze students of different academic disciplines with regard to their risk perception of four technologies. The aim is to find out whether there is a relationship between area of study (as a precursor of vocational and career choice) and risk perception of technologies regarding health, environment and society. The four technologies under study are renewable energies, genetic engineering, nanotechnology and information and communication technologies (ICT). Key results are: irrespective of academic discipline risk of genetic engineering on average is rated highest and renewable energies lowest. This holds for all the risks studied (environmental, health, societal risks). On average, students from different academic disciplines differ in their risk perception. Factor analyses show that common dimensions of risk are the technologies and not the kind of risk. Regression analyses show that the variables influencing perceived risks vary between the technological fields.",
keywords = "Management studies, Technologies, Risk perception, Career choice, Academic disciplines, Self-selection, Socialization, Academic disciplines, Career choice, Risk perception, Self-selection, Socialization, Technologies",
author = "Ursula Weisenfeld and Ingrid Ott",
year = "2011",
month = apr,
doi = "10.1016/j.respol.2010.12.003",
language = "English",
volume = "40",
pages = "487--499",
journal = "Research Policy",
issn = "0048-7333",
publisher = "Elsevier B.V.",
number = "3",

}

RIS

TY - JOUR

T1 - Academic discipline and risk perception of technologies

T2 - An empirical study

AU - Weisenfeld, Ursula

AU - Ott, Ingrid

PY - 2011/4

Y1 - 2011/4

N2 - This article brings together two areas of research: studies on risk perception of technologies and studies on vocational/career choice. This is an important link since decisions concerning technologies are influenced by decision makers' risk perceptions and these in turn may be related to educational and career paths. We analyze students of different academic disciplines with regard to their risk perception of four technologies. The aim is to find out whether there is a relationship between area of study (as a precursor of vocational and career choice) and risk perception of technologies regarding health, environment and society. The four technologies under study are renewable energies, genetic engineering, nanotechnology and information and communication technologies (ICT). Key results are: irrespective of academic discipline risk of genetic engineering on average is rated highest and renewable energies lowest. This holds for all the risks studied (environmental, health, societal risks). On average, students from different academic disciplines differ in their risk perception. Factor analyses show that common dimensions of risk are the technologies and not the kind of risk. Regression analyses show that the variables influencing perceived risks vary between the technological fields.

AB - This article brings together two areas of research: studies on risk perception of technologies and studies on vocational/career choice. This is an important link since decisions concerning technologies are influenced by decision makers' risk perceptions and these in turn may be related to educational and career paths. We analyze students of different academic disciplines with regard to their risk perception of four technologies. The aim is to find out whether there is a relationship between area of study (as a precursor of vocational and career choice) and risk perception of technologies regarding health, environment and society. The four technologies under study are renewable energies, genetic engineering, nanotechnology and information and communication technologies (ICT). Key results are: irrespective of academic discipline risk of genetic engineering on average is rated highest and renewable energies lowest. This holds for all the risks studied (environmental, health, societal risks). On average, students from different academic disciplines differ in their risk perception. Factor analyses show that common dimensions of risk are the technologies and not the kind of risk. Regression analyses show that the variables influencing perceived risks vary between the technological fields.

KW - Management studies

KW - Technologies

KW - Risk perception

KW - Career choice

KW - Academic disciplines

KW - Self-selection

KW - Socialization

KW - Academic disciplines

KW - Career choice

KW - Risk perception

KW - Self-selection

KW - Socialization

KW - Technologies

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=79951942301&partnerID=8YFLogxK

UR - https://www.mendeley.com/catalogue/a6f0eeb4-0b83-32bb-a744-dc31df62a6f3/

U2 - 10.1016/j.respol.2010.12.003

DO - 10.1016/j.respol.2010.12.003

M3 - Journal articles

VL - 40

SP - 487

EP - 499

JO - Research Policy

JF - Research Policy

SN - 0048-7333

IS - 3

ER -

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