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Internet use and insurance growth: evidence from a panel of OECD countries

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  • Benlagha, Noureddine
  • Hemrit, Wael

Abstract

This empirical study aimed to investigate the effect of internet use on the demand for insurance using a sample of OECD countries during the period from 2007 to 2017. We employed a battery of panel data models, taking into account various unusual patterns, such as heterogeneity. This study contributes to the technological innovations and communication literature at different stages of the provision and development of life and non-life insurance activities. The empirical results show that internet use positively affects non-life insurance activities. This finding is well recognised by several estimated static and dynamic panel models. Conversely, the empirical investigation revealed no global impact of internet use on the demand for life insurance. Lastly, an assessment of traditional life insurance models demonstrated significant impacts of several socio-economic variables on the life insurance line of business.

Suggested Citation

  • Benlagha, Noureddine & Hemrit, Wael, 2020. "Internet use and insurance growth: evidence from a panel of OECD countries," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 62(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:teinso:v:62:y:2020:i:c:s0160791x1930363x
    DOI: 10.1016/j.techsoc.2020.101289
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    2. Noureddine Benlagha & Wael Hemrit, 2022. "Does economic policy uncertainty matter to explain connectedness within the international sovereign bond yields?," Journal of Economics and Finance, Springer;Academy of Economics and Finance, vol. 46(1), pages 1-21, January.
    3. Luan, Bingjiang & Zou, Hong & Huang, Junbing, 2023. "Digital divide and household energy poverty in China," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 119(C).
    4. Gnangnon, Sèna Kimm, 2022. "Internet, Participation in International Trade, and Tax Revenue Instability," Journal of Economic Integration, Center for Economic Integration, Sejong University, vol. 37(2), pages 267-315.
    5. An Chen & Yusha Chen & Finbarr Murphy & Wei Xu & Xian Xu, 2023. "How does the insurer's mobile application sales strategy perform?," Journal of Risk & Insurance, The American Risk and Insurance Association, vol. 90(2), pages 487-519, June.

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