Business risk-taking 'could be taught or enhanced by drugs'

The type of risky decision-making behaviour displayed by entrepreneurs could be taught or enhanced by drugs, new research suggests.

Research from the Medical Research Council and Wellcome Trust has found that entrepreneurs are riskier decision-makers than managers. The researchers believe this behaviour could result in "positive outcomes during stressful economic circumstances".

Scientists carried out neurocognitive assessment on the decision-making abilities of 16 entrepreneurs and 17 managers from Cambridge. On 'hot' or risky decisions - those which involved assessing 'rewarding' versus 'punishing' outcomes - entrepreneurs were found to be significantly bigger risk-takers.

Researchers also said that the entrepreneurs showed superior cognitive flexibility and tended to be more impulsive.

It is thought that this 'functional impulsivity' may have evolutionary value, raising the question of whether entrepreneurship could be enhanced through pharmacology.

"From previous studies we know that drugs can be used to manipulate dopamine levels, leading to changes in risky decision-making," said lead author of the study Professor Barbara Sahakian.

"Risky or 'hot' decision-making is an essential part of the entrepreneurial process and may be possible to teach, particularly in young adults where higher risk-taking is likely and age-appropriate."