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Product Focus versus Diversification: Estimates of X-Efficiency for the US Life Insurance Industry

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  • Joseph W. Meador
  • Harley E. Ryan Jr.

Abstract

Using data for the life insurance industry during 1990-1995, we empirically test for a relationship between a firm's output choice and measures of X-efficiency. Our empirical evidence suggests that diversification across multiple insurance and investment product lines resulted in greater X-efficiency than a more focused production strategy. The analysis in this article is consistent with the proposition that managers of multiproduct firms are able to achieve greater cost efficiencies than their counterparts in more focused firms by sharing inputs and efficiently allocating resources across product lines in response to changing industry conditions. Our findings are important since they justify the existence of multiproduct firms in the absence of cost complementarities and identify product diversification as a source of efficiency in the life insurance industry that should be recognized by managers, policyholders, and regulators.

Suggested Citation

  • Joseph W. Meador & Harley E. Ryan Jr., 1997. "Product Focus versus Diversification: Estimates of X-Efficiency for the US Life Insurance Industry," Center for Financial Institutions Working Papers 97-16, Wharton School Center for Financial Institutions, University of Pennsylvania.
    • Handle: RePEc:wop:pennin:97-16
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. John, Kose & Ofek, Eli, 1995. "Asset sales and increase in focus," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 37(1), pages 105-126, January.
    2. Hite, Gailen L. & Owers, James E. & Rogers, Ronald C., 1987. "The market for interfirm asset sales : Partial sell-offs and total liquidations," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 18(2), pages 229-252, June.
    3. Wernerfelt, Birger & Montgomery, Cynthia A, 1988. "Tobin's q and the Importance of Focus in Firm Performance," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 78(1), pages 246-250, March.
    4. Gardner, Lisa A. & Grace, Martin F., 1993. "X-Efficiency in the US life insurance industry," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 17(2-3), pages 497-510, April.
    5. Berger, Philip G. & Ofek, Eli, 1995. "Diversification's effect on firm value," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 37(1), pages 39-65, January.
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    Cited by:

    1. Trigo Gamarra, Lucinda, 2008. "The effects of liberalization and deregulation on the performance of financial institutions: The case of the German life insurance market," Thuenen-Series of Applied Economic Theory 93, University of Rostock, Institute of Economics.
    2. Hao, James C.J. & Chou, Lin-Yhi, 2005. "The estimation of efficiency for life insurance industry: The case in Taiwan," Journal of Asian Economics, Elsevier, vol. 16(5), pages 847-860, October.
    3. Ariyaratne, Chatura B. & Featherstone, Allen M. & Langemeier, Michael R. & Barton, David G., 2000. "Measuring X-Efficiency And Scale Efficiency For A Sample Of Agricultural Cooperatives," Agricultural and Resource Economics Review, Northeastern Agricultural and Resource Economics Association, vol. 29(2), pages 1-10, October.
    4. Shuji Yao & Zhongwei Han & Dan Luo, 2010. "Performance of the Chinese Insurance Industry under Economic Reforms," Books, Edward Elgar Publishing, number 12788.
    5. 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.
    6. Feng, Yumei & Yao, Shouyu & Wang, Chunfeng & Liao, Jing & Cheng, Feiyang, 2022. "Diversification and financialization of non-financial corporations: Evidence from China," Emerging Markets Review, Elsevier, vol. 50(C).
    7. Trigo Gamarra, Lucinda, 2007. "Single- versus multi-channel distribution strategies in the German life insurance market: A cost and profit efficiency analysis," Thuenen-Series of Applied Economic Theory 81, University of Rostock, Institute of Economics.
    8. Courtney B. Baggett & Cassandra R. Cole & George Crowley & E. Tice Sirmans, 2020. "Spillover effects of increased health insurance enrollment on workers’ compensation insurance," Risk Management and Insurance Review, American Risk and Insurance Association, vol. 23(1), pages 53-74, March.

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