Misconceptions of Risk

The analysis and management of risk are not straightforward. There are many challenges. The risk discipline is young and there area a number of ideas, perspectives and conceptions of risk out there. For example many analysts and researchers consider it appropriate to base their risk management policies on the use of expected values, which basically means that potential losses are multiplied with their associated consequences. However, the rationale for such a policy is questionable.

A number of such common conceptions of risk are examined in the book, related to the risk concept, risk assessments, uncertainty analyses, risk perception, the precautionary principle, risk management and decision making under uncertainty. The Author discusses these concepts, their strenghts and weaknesses, and concludes that they are often better judged as misconceptions of risk than conceptions of risk.

Key Features:

• Discusses common conceptions of risk with supporting examples.
• Provides recommendations and guidance to risk analysis and risk management.
• Relevant for all types of applications, including engineering and business.
• Presents the Author’s overall conclusions on the issues addressed throughout the book.

All those working with risk-related problems need to understand the fundamental ideas and concepts of risk. Professionals in the field of risk, as well as researchers and graduate sutdents will benefit from this book. Policy makers and business people will also find this book of interest.

Terje Aven, University of Stavanger, Norway.?Terje Aven is Professor of risk management and the Principal Researcher at the International Research Institute of Stavanger (IRIS). He's worked both in industry (5 years) and academia (20 years). In that time he has participated in, and led, many safety and risk related projects, and has won several awards for both research and teaching. He has published numerous papers in international journals and has authored several books.