Antecedents and consequences of insurer-salesperson relationships

2014 ◽  
Vol 32 (4) ◽  
pp. 436-454 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tsu-Wei Yu ◽  
Feng-Cheng Tung

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the antecedents and consequences of insurer trust and salesperson trust, as well as the relationships between insurer, salesperson, and customer loyalty in order to build a conceptual model which investigates the relationships of insurer trust and salesperson trust, and finds ways to build trust and customer loyalty in the non-life insurance industry in Taiwan. Design/methodology/approach – The data for this study were collected from the customers of non-life insurers’ policyholder service centres and were analysed using in-depth interviews and questionnaires. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was to assess the proposed research model empirically. Findings – This study finds that firm size did not have a significant effect on insurer trust. Customer trust in the insurer was negatively but not significantly related to customer trust in the salesperson. Additionally, when relatives or friends are insurance salespersons; it is easy to build trust with them. Originality/value – This study provides non-life insurers with new avenues for promoting and marketing their insurance.

2016 ◽  
Vol 44 (1) ◽  
pp. 22-37 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tsu-Wei Yu ◽  
Lu-Ming Tseng

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to closely investigate the antecedents affecting relationship quality and its consequences between life insurers and their customers. Design/methodology/approach – Data were collected from the customers of life insurers’ customer relationship management centres and were analysed using in-depth interviews and questionnaires. A structural equation modelling approach is employed to test the hypotheses. Findings – The findings are generally consistent with the literature. This study supports all hypotheses. Finally, the findings of this study confirm that relationship quality mediates the effects of salesperson characteristics and relational selling behaviour on customer loyalty. Originality/value – To the authors knowledge, there is little published research that examines antecedents and consequences of relationship quality in life insurance industry in Taiwan. Therefore, in addition to developing high-quality services, life insurers need to establish and maintain long-term relationships with customers in order to create corporate innovation value.


SAGE Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 215824401989910 ◽  
Author(s):  
James Agyei ◽  
Shaorong Sun ◽  
Eugene Abrokwah ◽  
Emmanuel Kofi Penney ◽  
Richmond Ofori-Boafo

This study examined the influence of trust dimensions on customer engagement, and the resultant impact of customer engagement on customer loyalty in the context of life insurance. Furthermore, it investigated the mediating role of customer engagement in the relationships between trust dimensions and customer loyalty. A total of 452 valid responses from life insurance customers in Ghana were examined using structural equation modeling (SEM). The results revealed that trust in service provider, trust in the regulator, economy-based trust, and information-based trust significantly influence customer engagement, with trust in service provider and trust in the regulator driving a higher level of customer engagement. The results also uncovered that customer engagement significantly enriches customer loyalty and mediated the relationships between the trust dimensions and customer loyalty. The findings highlight the importance of building convincing customer trust to advance customer engagement and customer loyalty.


2016 ◽  
Vol 42 (7) ◽  
pp. 618-634 ◽  
Author(s):  
Byeongyong Paul Choi ◽  
Jin Park ◽  
Chia-Ling Ho

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is twofold: first, this paper measures how much liquidity is transformed by the US life insurance industry for the sample period; and Second, this study tests the “risk absorption” hypothesis and “financial fragility-crowding out” hypothesis to identify the impact of capital on liquidity creation in the US life insurance industry. In addition, a regression model is conducted to explore the relationship between liquidity creation and other firm characteristics. Design/methodology/approach – In order to construct the liquidity creation measures, all assets and liabilities are classified as liquid, semi-liquid, or illiquid with appropriate weights to these classifications, which will then be combined to measure the amount of liquidity creation. In addition, a regression model is analyzed. The level of insurers’ liquidity creation is regressed on the capital ratio (surplus over total assets) and other financial and organizational variables to test two prevailing hypotheses. Findings – This paper finds that the US life insurers de-create liquidity. The authors provide that the amount of liquidity de-creation is related to the size of insurers such that liquidity de-creation has increased as assets grow and that large insurers de-create most of liquidity. The US life insurance industry de-created $2.1 trillion in liquidity, i.e., 43 percent of total industry assets, in 2008. The empirical results support the “financial fragility-crowding out” hypothesis. Life insurers’ liquidity de-creation is mainly caused by the large portion of liquid assets, which is required by regulation and capital is not a main factor of liquidity de-creation. Originality/value – There is no known study on the issue of liquidity creation by life insurers. Thus, the extent of liquidity creation by the life insurance industry, if any, is an empirical matter to investigate, but also an important matter to regulators and the academia since the products and business operations (e.g. asset portfolio and asset and liability management) of life insurers are different from those of property and liability insurers.


Author(s):  
Medha Srivastava ◽  
Alok Kumar Rai

The widespread reverence for customer loyalty among marketers and businesses all across the globe is inspired from its manifestations since it’s the consumption decisions of loyal customers that leave a mammoth mark over the revenues and growth of a firm. A throng of behavioural, attitudinal and cognitive manifestations of customer loyalty are available in the literature some of which are widely acknowledged and accepted whereas others call for further inquiry. These manifestations of loyalty among customers are generally pinned down through their actions (Zeithaml et al., 1996; Jones et al., 2000) or their attitude towards the company or a particular product/ service (Javalgi and Moberg, 1997; Butcher et al., 2001). However, recent literature suggests that another outcome of loyalty is customer preferring a particular service provider to others based upon the conscious evaluation of brand attributes (Gremler and Brown, 1996; Butcher et al., 2001). The paper intends to explore and empirically test various manifestations of customer loyalty in the context of life insurance services thereby, extending the existing knowledge of customer loyalty by outlining the distinctive nature of customer loyalty outcomes and offering useful insights to the marketing practitioners in life insurance industry. The study further groups these manifestations into distinct outcome classes and empirically evaluates them by comparing and contrasting each with the other. It also aims to enrich the literature of customer loyalty by developing and validating a scale for measurement of customer loyalty outcomes with special reference to life insurance services.


2014 ◽  
Vol 28 (5) ◽  
pp. 361-373 ◽  
Author(s):  
Husni Kharouf ◽  
Donald J. Lund ◽  
Harjit Sekhon

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the role of retailer trustworthiness in driving customer trust and the subsequent impact on loyalty. The authors position trustworthiness as a mediator in the link between retail strategies and the development of trust. They model customer loyalty to the service retailer as a function of the trust created through trustworthy perceptions. Design/methodology/approach – The authors validate their model using 420 survey responses from customers in a service retail setting. Nine research hypotheses were tested using structural equation modeling. Alternate models are estimated, and the results provide support for the theory-based trustworthiness mediation model. Findings – Trustworthy behaviors first build trustworthiness, which then translates into customer trust and ultimately has a positive impact on both behavioral and attitudinal loyalty. Research limitations/implications – The research highlights the importance for retailers to signal their trustworthiness to build customer trust and loyalty. Researchers should measure trustworthiness perceptions when examining customer relationships and managers should plan strategically to develop both trust and trustworthiness with their customers. Originality/value – This study is one of the first to investigate the mediating effect of trustworthiness on customer loyalty in service settings. While past research has investigated dimensions of trustworthy behaviors, none has included a measure of trustworthiness perceptions and consumer trust in the same theoretical model. The results of the research provide important insights for both researchers and managers.


2009 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 747-777
Author(s):  
C. D. O'Brien

ABSTRACTThis paper reviews the market structure of the U.K. with-profits life insurance market and the potential effect on how life insurers operate. We consider the competitiveness of the market, quantifying the increase in the degree of concentration since 2000, and establishing that inherited estates may offer some protection from competition for incumbent firms. However, there is a significant degree of mobility in market positions of leading firms. Analysis of costs indicates some large differences between firms, with larger firms experiencing lower cost ratios, indicative of economies of scale. There are some marked differences in insurers' prices, the data showing that charges tend to be lower on unit-linked than on with-profits policies. The paper suggests that while there are potential concerns about how the market operates for consumers, the impact is limited by the dramatic reduction in new with-profits business.


2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 507-526 ◽  
Author(s):  
Visvanathan Naicker ◽  
Derrick Barry Van Der Merwe

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the factors that influence the adoption of mobile technology by considering the information technology (IT) managers’ perception. The research identified the key challenges managers faced and whether management would adopt mobile technology or not. Design/methodology/approach A quantitative approach was used for this research, whereby an explanatory research was utilised. Questionnaires were developed and distributed to respondents who were in management and leadership positions and who were responsible for IT within their organisations. Demographic variables of age, gender differences, level of education, level of experience and culture were tested for association to the perceived factors and adoption. A χ2 of association was used to test the association between demographic variables and mobile technology adoption. Findings The results found that perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, perceived complexity and perceived cost are important factors for adoption. However, perceived risk was a key factor in the adoption of mobile technology. Mobile strategy adoption must consider perceived risk factors central to the adoption. The younger generation (20 to 40) years found it easier to adopt technology than the older generation of 41 years and older. Individuals with a post matriculation level of education understood the importance of risk and cost required for adoption. Research limitations/implications Purposive sampling from a single industry (Life Insurance) was used. Limited literature was available regarding managers perception of mobile technology adoption in the Life Insurance industry. Practical implications The research offers managers insight into the important factors that need to be considered in adopting mobile technology. Originality/value With mobile technology being pervasive, the research seeks to provide managers with the insight in managing the adoption of the technology.


2003 ◽  
Vol 06 (04) ◽  
pp. 405-431 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marc De Ceuster ◽  
Liam Flanagan ◽  
Allan Hodgson ◽  
Mohammad I. Tahir

Core business and financial market risks are not easily reduced by standard operating procedures in insurance companies. Derivatives theoretically provide a cost effective vehicle to hedge these risks. This paper provides an empirical analysis of the determinants of derivative usage as well as the extent of derivative usage in the Australian insurance industry in both life and general insurance companies for the period 1997–1999. Empirical results for the Australian life insurance industry in general confirm the findings of UK and US based research. However, the Australian general insurance industry does not appear to follow the conclusions of previous literature. Our results indicate that for life insurers, the determinants of derivative usage were size, leverage and reinsurance. For the general insurance industry the determinants were size and the extent of long tail lines of business written. As regards the determinants of the extent of derivative usage, these were size and asset-liability duration mismatches for life insurers. For the general insurance industry the determinants of the extent of derivative usage were size, the extent of long tail lines of business written, and the reporting year.


2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 263-279 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samra Chaudary ◽  
Zohad Zahid ◽  
Saad Shahid ◽  
Shamila N. Khan ◽  
Sana Azar

Purpose This study aims to ascertain the impact of customer perception of CSR activities (philanthropic, environmental and ethical) conducted on various consumer and corporate related dimensions including; customer loyalty, consumer attachment, corporate performance and repurchase intention. The study also adds value by taking customer perception of CSR as a mediator between green image and performance. Design/methodology/approach Structural equation modelling is used after using different (valid and reliable) instruments to measure latent constructs. The study has a sample size of 250 “CSR Consumers”, who had some knowledge and awareness of CSR and green image being advertised and or labelled by the company (such as printing “Recycled” or other eco-friendly images/labels on shopping bag, fliers, outlets, etc.) and are consumers/customers of such firms. The respondent’s awareness was measured by randomly asking them to recall organizations that might have eco-friendly policies. Findings The key findings of the study are that perceived fit of culture along with CSR capability radically influences CSR perception within consumer minds and so, subsequently, customer attachment and overall performance of the corporation. The outcomes bestow significant ramifications for marketing and advertising philosophy combined with practice. Practical implications Stakeholders exist in the form of consumers other than employees. So consumer satisfaction must be imparted its fair share of importance. Managers must make sure that initiatives for societal benefit are well accepted and well recognized by consumers in a positive array of light. Corporations enthusiastically involved in initiating CSR activities and forecast a positive income. The study guides managers into not falling in this misconception and by recognizing that the fact is that the company managers must only expect higher performance levels once their CSR is in synchronization with the firm’s culture. Originality/value A number of studies have been conducted about CSR practices in the Indian context for example (Khan and Atkinson, 1987; Krishna, 1992; Arora and Puranik, 2004; Sood and Arora, 2006; Mishra and Suar, 2010); however, there is dearth of research in its neighbouring country Pakistan about CSR practices and consumer perceptions. Therefore, this research aims to fill this gap by examining CSR practices in Pakistan which has similar historical and colonial roots with India. In doing so, this study ascertains the impact of CSR activities conducted on various consumer and corporate related dimensions that incorporate customer loyalty, consumer attachment and corporate performance.


2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Niki Glaveli

Purpose This study aims to uncover the underlying multiple intervening mechanisms between corporate social responsibility (CSR) and customer loyalty. Social identity and social exchange theories offer the ground for prediction that the primary outcomes of CSR initiatives are customer–company (C–C) identification and customer trust, which in turn affect customer loyalty. Also, the differential effect of CSR behaviors toward specific stakeholder groups on customer attitudes and behaviors are examined. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected from 333 customers of telecommunication companies in Greece. Structural equation modeling was used to test the postulated relationships. Findings The findings demonstrate that both C–C identification and customer trust intervene in the relationship between customer perceptions of CSR and customer loyalty; however, the identification mechanism is stronger than the trust mechanism in building customer loyalty while C–C identification seems to drive customer trust. Moreover, out of the three CSR components (customers, employees, and society/environment) that were considered as relevant to customers and were investigated, customer-centric activities were found to be the stronger predictor of both C–C identification and customer trust. Also, CSR toward society/environment was found to positively influence C–C identification. Practical implications The findings of this research can assist practitioners in effectively conceptualizing CSR image from a customers’ point of view and designing their company’s CSR and communication strategies to boost positive customer responses and strong long-term relationships. Originality/value The current study provides further insights into the complex relationship between CSR and customer responses and the impact that different CSR activities may have on customers.


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