Firm-specific internal determinants of profitability performance: an exploratory study of selected life insurance firms in Asia
| Pages | 533-550 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/JABS-09-2016-0129 |
| Published date | 10 December 2018 |
| Date | 10 December 2018 |
| Author | Rozaimah Zainudin,Nurul Shahnaz Ahmad Mahdzan,Ee Shan Leong |
| Subject Matter | Strategy,International business |
Firm-specific internal determinants
of profitability performance: an
exploratory study of selected life
insurance firms in Asia
Rozaimah Zainudin, Nurul Shahnaz Ahmad Mahdzan and Ee Shan Leong
Abstract
Purpose –This study is an exploratorystudy investigating firm-specificinternal factors that influence the
profitability performance of selected life insurance firms in eight Asian countries (China, Hong Kong,
Taiwan, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Thailand and Malaysia) from 2008-2014. This paper aims to
focus on internal rather than external factors based on the resource-based view suggesting that the
internalresources of a firm are key to gaining competitiveadvantage.
Design/methodology/approach –The authors used panel data estimation model to test our six
hypotheseson these eight selected countriesfor the period between 2008 and 2014.
Findings –A random effect model reveals that size, volume of capital and underwriting risk are
significantlyrelated to the profitability of Asian life insurancefirm, measured as return on assets. Premium
growth, asset tangibilityand liquidity are insignificant predictors of the profitability performance of these
life insurancefirms.
Practical implications –Three implicationsof this study are that life insurance firms need to proactively
tap new business opportunities by attracting younger generation customers via e-marketing
technologies; secure larger capital base to finance their market expansion strategies; and focus on
intangibleresources such as goodwill, brandequity and reputation.
Originality/value –This study contributes to the literature by conducting an exploratory regional-based panel
study of Asian life insurance firms to find common factors that contribute towards profitability. The study is
conducted on a collective sample of Asian life insurance firms based on the premise that the firms included in the
sample engage in cross-border activities and share the same international financial reporting standards. These
commonalities allow us to treat the firms jointly in a somewhat similar Asian macroeconomic environment.
Keywords Resource-based view, Internal factors, Life insurance, Asian, Profitability performance
Paper type Research paper
1. Introduction
The Asian life insurance industry is reportedly the highest growing of any global region,
having a growth rate of close to 16 per cent in 2015 (Swiss Re, 2016). The growth in
demand is spurred by urbanization, the increasing portion of middle class households
within the population, and the widening of the domestic retiree pension gap (McKinsey
Global Insurance Pools, 2015). Among emerging markets, the largest share of life and
health insurance premiums appears to be concentrated within Asian emerging markets at
69 per cent, and this figure shows an increase from 60 per cent three years before (Swiss
Re, 2015). However, many challenges are foreseen to occur within the industry, such as
increased competition amongdomestic and foreign firms, stricter policies by regulators and
more demanding consumers of thisdigital era (Ernst & Young, 2016 Report).
Rozaimah Zainudin,
Nurul Shahnaz Ahmad
Mahdzan and Ee Shan
Leong are all based at
Finance and Banking
Department, University of
Malaya, Kuala Lumpur,
Malaysia.
Received 29 September 2016
Revised 7 February 2017
11 July 2017
20 October 2017
Accepted 6 December 2017
The authors would like to thank
the Malaysian Ministry of
Education under the
Fundamental Research Grant
Scheme for providing the
resources and facilities that
assisted in the conduct of this
study (Research Grant No:
FP025-2016).
DOI 10.1108/JABS-09-2016-0129 VOL. 12 NO. 4 2018, pp. 533-550, ©Emerald Publishing Limited, ISSN 1558-7894 jJOURNAL OF ASIA BUSINESS STUDIES jPAGE 533
As with other financial services institutions, life insurance contributes significantly to the
economy, both at the micro an d macro level. At the micro level, life insurance is a means of
income protection to a family upon death of a breadwinner and reduces the anxiety of polic y
owners in face of future life uncertainties (Derbali, 2014). There are certain life insurance
variants such as endowment policies that offer benefits to the insured in the event of longevity
rather than mortality, where a certain amount of proceeds will be paid out upon maturity,
acting as long term personal savings. At the macro level, premiums allocated to life insurance
form part of the economy’s financial capital, which is a vital resource for investment activities,
simultaneously promoting long-term economic growth (Ghosh, 2013). Furthermore, these
funds can mitigate the financial risk to which a country is exposed during the downturns of
business cycles. The literature provides evidence of a positive relationship between the
efficiency of financial institutions and the national economy, with f inancial institutions facilitating
the transfer of risk and efficiently allocating resources in order to provide rigorous support to
investment activities in the country (Sambasivam and Ayele, 2013).
The nature of life insurance is distinct from other types of business due to its unique intangible
feature. The “price” of life insurance is known as premiums, which starts at the inception of the
policy and involves committed periodic payments over an uncertain, long-term period. The
recipient of life insurance benefits are the beneficiaries rather than the insured or policyholder,
who will receive the proceeds upon death of the insured. Due to the long term and uncertain
nature of life insurance policy contracts, the sustainability of life i nsurance companies
becomes crucial, and it is therefore imperative for insurance companies to be financially
solvent and stable so as to be profitable (Charumathi, 2012). Investors would like to know if a
life insurance company is worth their investment, and policyholders need to be assured that
the company is able to meet its obligations of fulfilling claims under a policy ( Oino, 2013).
Aremu et al. (2013) highlight the importance of studies in regards to the profitability of f irms, as
profitability is the key factor for companies to continuously g row and expand their business
while contributing to the nation’s productivity and economic growth.
The continuous challenges in the local and global business environment indeed requires life
insurance firms to stay abreast with strategies that would strengthen their competitive
advantage. According to the resource-based view (RBV) (Welnerfelt, 1984), a firm’s
performance and ability to gain competitive advantage depend largely on the unique
resources owned by the firm. In regards to a life insurance firm, most of its resources can be
categorized as intangible assets because the core business of life insurance firms is provid ing
financial and risk management services. Life insurance policies are underwritten based on
uncertain mortality risks; hence, the ability of the firm to sustain and succeed in the long run
depends heavily on the prudency and competency of the life insurance firms’ risk managers.
To stay profitable, it is crucial for managers to be incisive and rational in their decisi on making.
In addition, because of the long-term nature of life insurance, policies are usually sold and
marketed via the traditional way –through agents. Thus, establishing good customer
relationships is crucial to sustain in the industry. Having a reputable brand equity, strong
goodwill and solid financial performance are hence argued to be vital resources of li fe
insurance firms and are therefore central to the success and sustainability of these companies.
This study is an exploratory study that examines the relationship between the profitability
and internal factors (size, volume of capital, asset tangibility, premium growth, liquidity and
underwriting risk) of selected life insurance companies within a group of Asian countries,
namely, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand and Malaysia. The
main reason for the study to treat the selected life insurance companies within these Asian
countries collectively is due to high international trade liberalization within the region.
Vadlamannati et al. (2009) highlight that Asian countries are integrated with the rest of
global market and the high integration have pushed their economic growth rate
tremendously. Asian countries tend to be more liberal and minimize international trade
barriers to promote more local companies to venture abroad or to attract more foreign
PAGE 534 jJOURNAL OF ASIA BUSINESS STUDIES jVOL. 12 NO. 4 2018
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