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Cost efficiency and value driver analysis of insurers in an emerging economy

Author

Listed:
  • Attiea Marie

    (College of Business Administration, University of Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates)

  • Ananth Rao

    (College of Business Administration, University of Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates)

  • Hossein Kashani

    (College of Business Administration, University of Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates)

Abstract

This study investigated cost inefficiencies and its relationship with value drivers of insurers in United Arab Emirates (UAE). The study revealed that there were 21-33% cost inefficiencies in these insurers under different model specifications of stochastic frontier and DEA; value drivers such as lower leverage risk, lower capital risk significantly improved cost efficiencies consistent with Basel II norms; ROE positively influenced cost efficiencies with further trade off between increased profit margin, decreased asset utilization and|or reduced equity multiplier by the insurer managements to achieve a target-ROE; and the trend of cost efficiency was improving during 2000-2004. The study suggests that stock insurers could overcome their cost inefficiencies through adoption of efficient measures such as risk mapping of clients, risk prioritization besides ALM techniques. The study has direct implications for individual and institutional investors in making their portfolio investment decisions in insurance sector, policymakers, and regulators to closely monitor inefficient insurers consistent with Basel II norms. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Suggested Citation

  • Attiea Marie & Ananth Rao & Hossein Kashani, 2009. "Cost efficiency and value driver analysis of insurers in an emerging economy," Managerial and Decision Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 30(4), pages 265-280.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:mgtdec:v:30:y:2009:i:4:p:265-280
    DOI: 10.1002/mde.1454
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Wise William, 2020. "The Importance of the Efficiency of Mutual Life Insurers: A Comparison to Stock Life Insurers," Folia Oeconomica Stetinensia, Sciendo, vol. 20(1), pages 474-505, June.
    2. Hela Miniaoui & Anissa Chaibi, 2014. "Technical Efficiency of Takaful Industry: A Comparative Study of Malaysia and GCC Countries," Working Papers 2014-55, Department of Research, Ipag Business School.
    3. Baharin, Roziana & isa, zaidi, 2018. "Box Cox- Fourier Flexible Functional Forms in Stochastic Metafrontier Analysis: The Cost Efficiency of the Insurance Industry in Malaysia," Jurnal Ekonomi Malaysia, Faculty of Economics and Business, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, vol. 52(1), pages 135-144.
    4. Ananth Rao & Hossein Kashani & Attiea Marie, 2010. "Analysis of managerial efficiency in insurance sector in the UAE: an emerging economy," International Journal of Managerial Finance, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 6(4), pages 329-343, September.
    5. repec:ipg:wpaper:2014-055 is not listed on IDEAS

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