摘要：This study investigates the impact of risk preferences on economic efficiency scores. Risk averse individuals may be less likely to adopt new technologies and have lower production levels than individuals with other risk preferences. Nonparametric techniques are used to estimate cost and revenue efficiency for a sample of Kansas farms. Each farm had a risk preference score and the scores in the sample ranged from 5 to 86 where a smaller value represents greater risk aversion. Efficiency estimates were first calculated using traditional input and output measures. Efficiency was re-estimated including the inverse risk preference score as a non-discretionary input. Comparisons were made between the characteristics of the farms with an observed efficiency score change and farms without an efficiency score change with the inclusion of inverse risk preferences. As expected, risk preference plays a role in explaining farm inefficiency. Failure to account for risk preferences overstates inefficiency and the improvements in efficiency that can be made.
