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Comparing Single- and Multichannel Distribution Strategies in the German Life Insurance Market: An Analysis of Cost and Profit Efficiency

Author

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  • Lucinda Trigo-Gamarra
  • Christian Growitsch

Abstract

To explain the success of different distribution strategies in the life insurance industry, we analyze the performance of single- and multichannel distribution firms in the German life insurance industry. We estimate cost and profit efficiency for three groups of life insurers: multichannel insurers, direct insurers, and independent agent insurers. We use nonparametric Data Envelopment Analysis to calculate efficiencies for German life insurers for the years 1997-2005. We identify the absence of performance advantages of specialized insurers as the most important reason for the coexistence of different distribution systems.

Suggested Citation

  • Lucinda Trigo-Gamarra & Christian Growitsch, 2010. "Comparing Single- and Multichannel Distribution Strategies in the German Life Insurance Market: An Analysis of Cost and Profit Efficiency," Schmalenbach Business Review (sbr), LMU Munich School of Management, vol. 62(4), pages 401-417, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:sbr:abstra:v:62:y:2010:i:4:p:401-417
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Martin Eling & Martin Lehmann & Philipp Schaper, 2022. "Optimal labor and capital utilization by financial firms: evidence from the German property and casualty insurance industry," Journal of Business Economics, Springer, vol. 92(5), pages 853-897, July.
    2. Biener, Christian & Eling, Martin & Wirfs, Jan Hendrik, 2016. "The determinants of efficiency and productivity in the Swiss insurance industry," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 248(2), pages 703-714.
    3. Udo Klotzki & Nadine Gatzert & Bjoern Muenstermann, 2017. "The Cost of Life Distribution in Europe," The Geneva Papers on Risk and Insurance - Issues and Practice, Palgrave Macmillan;The Geneva Association, vol. 42(2), pages 296-322, April.
    4. Ana María Reyna & Hugo J. Fuentes, 2018. "A cost efficiency analysis of the insurance industry in Mexico," Journal of Productivity Analysis, Springer, vol. 49(1), pages 49-64, February.
    5. Fuentes-Castro, Hugo Javier. & Reyna-Bernal, Ana María., 2014. "Comparando con las grandes. Retos para las aseguradoras en reducción de costos," Panorama Económico, Escuela Superior de Economía, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, vol. 0(19), pages 7-32, segundo s.
    6. Thomas Köhne & Christoph Brömmelmeyer, 2018. "The New Insurance Distribution Regulation in the EU—A Critical Assessment from a Legal and Economic Perspective," The Geneva Papers on Risk and Insurance - Issues and Practice, Palgrave Macmillan;The Geneva Association, vol. 43(4), pages 704-739, October.
    7. Kaffash, Sepideh & Azizi, Roza & Huang, Ying & Zhu, Joe, 2020. "A survey of data envelopment analysis applications in the insurance industry 1993–2018," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 284(3), pages 801-813.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    DEA; Distribution Systems; Efficiency Analysis; Insurance Markets;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G22 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Insurance; Insurance Companies; Actuarial Studies
    • L15 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - Information and Product Quality
    • L22 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Firm Organization and Market Structure

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