Risk Modeling Using Direct Solution of Nonlinear Approximations of the Utility Function

A risk model is developed which involves direct solution of the expected utility maximization problem utilizing nonlinear programming. The model permits the use of utility functions exhibiting increasing, constant, and decreasing absolute risk aversion. Demonstrations are done using functions exhibiting such properties over normal, uniform, and triangular data sets.

[1]  E. M. L. Beale,et al.  Nonlinear and Dynamic Programming , 1965 .

[2]  Michael A. Saunders,et al.  Large-scale linearly constrained optimization , 1978, Math. Program..

[3]  L. Robison An Appraisal of Expected Utility Hypothesis Tests Constructed from Responses to Hypothetical Questions and Experimental Choices , 1982 .

[4]  S. Tsiang The Rationale of the Mean-Standard Deviation Analysis, Skewness Preference, and the Demand for Money , 1972 .

[5]  Empirical Estimation and Use of Risk Preferences: An Appraisal of Estimation Methods That Use Actual Economic Decisions , 1982 .

[6]  K. Arrow,et al.  QUASI-CONCAVE PROGRAMMING , 1961 .

[7]  William W. Lin,et al.  Specification Of Bernoullian Utility Function In Decision Analysis , 1978 .

[8]  Leon S. Lasdon,et al.  The Status of Nonlinear Programming Software , 1979, Oper. Res..

[9]  R. Freund THE INTRODUCTION OF RISK INTO A PROGRAMMING MODEL , 1956 .

[10]  K. Arrow Essays in the theory of risk-bearing , 1958 .

[11]  A. Charnes,et al.  Chance-Constrained Programming , 1959 .

[12]  A. Stuart,et al.  Portfolio Selection: Efficient Diversification of Investments , 1959 .

[13]  Allan N. Rae,et al.  Stochastic Programming, Utility, and Sequential Decision Problems in Farm Management , 1971 .

[14]  J. Pratt RISK AVERSION IN THE SMALL AND IN THE LARGE11This research was supported by the National Science Foundation (grant NSF-G24035). Reproduction in whole or in part is permitted for any purpose of the United States Government. , 1964 .

[15]  J. Tobin Liquidity Preference as Behavior towards Risk , 1958 .

[16]  L. J. Savage,et al.  The Utility Analysis of Choices Involving Risk , 1948, Journal of Political Economy.

[17]  John A. Wicks,et al.  An Alternative Solution To Linear Programming Problems With Stochastic Input‐Output Coefficients , 1978 .

[18]  H. Levy,et al.  Efficiency analysis of choices involving risk , 1969 .

[19]  K. Cocks Discrete Stochastic Programming , 1968 .