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Globalization, political institutions, financial liberalization, and performance of the insurance industry

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  • Lee, Chien-Chiang
  • Lin, Chun-Wei

Abstract

This paper investigates the impacts of globalization, political institutions, and financial liberalization on the performance and risk-taking of insurance firms covering 1324 individual firms in 30 selected OECD countries. We find that greater globalization and a stable political institution lead insurance companies to exhibit a better performance—i.e., insurers adjust their strategies while being aware of institutional changes. By contrast, financial liberalization has an inverse impact on insurance company performance. Thus, greater globalization and a stable political environment both drive less risk-taking for insurers. These findings are particularly important to insurance markets’ competitors and national policymakers.

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  • Lee, Chien-Chiang & Lin, Chun-Wei, 2016. "Globalization, political institutions, financial liberalization, and performance of the insurance industry," The North American Journal of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 36(C), pages 244-266.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecofin:v:36:y:2016:i:c:p:244-266
    DOI: 10.1016/j.najef.2016.01.007
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    2. Bojan Srbinoski & Klime Poposki & Gorazd Čibej, 2021. "An empirical investigation of determinants of life insurers’ performance: Evidence from selected countries in Central, Eastern, and Southeastern Europe (CESEE)," Risk Management and Insurance Review, American Risk and Insurance Association, vol. 24(3), pages 293-310, September.
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    5. Kanitsorn Terdpaopong & Robert C. Rickards, 2021. "Thai Non-Life Insurance Companies’ Resilience and the Historic 2011 Floods: Some Recommendations for Greater Sustainability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(16), pages 1-19, August.
    6. Relwendé Sawadogo, 2021. "The relationship between insurance and banking sectors in Sub-Saharan African: Does globalization matter?," Economic Change and Restructuring, Springer, vol. 54(1), pages 101-119, February.
    7. Kartashova Olga Ivanovna & Molchanova Olga Vladimirovna & Axana Turgaeva, 2018. "Insurance Risks Management Methodology," JRFM, MDPI, vol. 11(4), pages 1-15, October.
    8. David Cummins, J. & Rubio-Misas, María, 2021. "Country factor behavior for integration improvement of European life insurance markets," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 72(C), pages 186-202.
    9. Daniel Ofori-Sasu & John Kuwornu & Gloria Clarissa Dzeha & Baah Aye Kusi, 2022. "Risk behaviour and insurance efficiency: the role of ownership and regulations from an emerging economies," SN Business & Economics, Springer, vol. 2(7), pages 1-30, July.
    10. Tulus Suryanto & Darul Dimasqy & Reza Ronaldo & Mahjus Ekananda & Teuku Heru Dinata & Indra Tumbelaka, 2020. "The Influence of Liberalization on Innovation, Performance, and Competition Level of Insurance Industry in Indonesia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(24), pages 1-25, December.
    11. Daniel Attah-Kyei & Charles Andoh & Saint Kuttu, 2023. "Risk, technical efficiency and capital requirements of Ghanaian insurers," Risk Management, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 25(4), pages 1-27, December.
    12. Lee, Hui Shan & Cheng, Fan Fah & Chong, Shyue Chuan & Sia, Bik Kai, 2018. "Influence of Macroeconomics Factors and Legal Stability to the Insurance Growth in the ASEAN-5 Countries," Jurnal Ekonomi Malaysia, Faculty of Economics and Business, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, vol. 52(2), pages 219-229.
    13. Olasehinde-Williams, Godwin & Balcilar, Mehmet, 2020. "Examining the Effect of Globalization on Insurance Activities in Large Emerging Market Economies," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 53(C).
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Insurance performance; Globalization; Political institutions; Financial liberalization; OECD;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G22 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Insurance; Insurance Companies; Actuarial Studies
    • G32 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Financing Policy; Financial Risk and Risk Management; Capital and Ownership Structure; Value of Firms; Goodwill
    • E44 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Money and Interest Rates - - - Financial Markets and the Macroeconomy
    • P26 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Socialist and Transition Economies - - - Property Rights

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