Productivity analysis of family takaful in Indonesia and Malaysia: Malmquist productivity index approach

Purpose - This study aims to investigate the productivity level of family takaful in Malaysia and Indonesia from 2014 to 2019. Productivity can support corporate sustainability, which is one of the company’s goals. Design/methodology/approach - The measurement of the productivity level in this study involved applying the Malmquist Productivity Index (MPI) method. The input variables used consisted of equity, total expenses and total investment. The output variables consisted of total profit and investment income. In addition, this research used the orientation of the output and intermediation. Findings - Throughout the study period, the Indonesian family takaful had an average total factor productivity change (TFPCH) of about 0.945. In other words, it did not reach optimal productivity. It is more due to the low value of technological change (TECHCH). On the contrary, family takaful companies in Malaysia had called productivity, showing a TFPCH of about 1.041. Again, this is mainly due to an increase in TECHCH and efficiency change, but it is still low in pure technical efficiency change. Research limitations/implications - This study focuses on factors that exist in internal takaful companies. Neither micro- nor macroeconomic variables that can affect productivity levels have been measured. In addition, this study only analyzed two countries out of the 11 countries in the Southeast Asian region. Practical implications - Family takaful companies can use the productivity index as one of the bases of evaluation in managing their resources to enhance optimal output. Furthermore, the management of family takaful companies in Indonesia needs to focus more on technological innovation and delivery of services to increase productivity. Meanwhile, family takaful companies in Malaysia can maintain their technology usage and efficiency to operate productively. The government in both countries is expected to actively accelerate the growth of family takaful companies by producing regulatory products that strengthen the industry. Specifically, the government in Indonesia needs to make regulations that support technology improvement. Originality/value - There is still not much research that examines family takaful’s productivity level using the MPI. The MPI is an appropriate tool to evaluate the productivity of family takaful companies. Thus, family takaful companies can improve their quality by assessing the productivity index value.