Comparing Single- and Multichannel Distribution Strategies in the German Life Insurance Market: An Analysis of Cost and Profit Efficiency
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.
Year of publication: |
2010
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Authors: | Trigo-Gamarra, Lucinda ; Growitsch, Christian |
Published in: |
Schmalenbach Business Review (sbr). - Fakultät für Betriebswirtschaft. - Vol. 62.2010, 4, p. 401-417
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Publisher: |
Fakultät für Betriebswirtschaft |
Subject: | DEA | Distribution Systems | Efficiency Analysis | Insurance Markets |
Saved in:
freely available
Extent: | text/html |
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Type of publication: | Article |
Classification: | G22 - Insurance; Insurance Companies ; L15 - Information and Product Quality; Standardization and Compatibility ; L22 - Firm Organization and Market Structure: Markets vs. Hierarchies; Vertical Integration |
Source: |
Persistent link: https://www.econbiz.de/10008740452