Utility Theory and Risk Management Decisions
Some theorists have suggested that utility theory be used as an approach to risk management decisions, especially as regards retention and transfer. They would use the expected value concept to compare an individual’s preferences (utility) for different states of uncertainty (e.g., “Which would you prefer, a 10% chance of losing $1000 or a 1% chance of losing $10,000?”). Once the individual’s preference for different states of uncertainty (his or her “utility function”) has been derived, it is used in a calculation that multiplies utility units by the probability that each level of loss might occur. This calculation is made for each decision being considered, and the decision that produces the lowest expected loss of utility is selected.