scholarly journals The impact of the global financial crisis on the structure of investment portfolios of insurance companies

2011 ◽  
Vol 56 (191) ◽  
pp. 143-161 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jelena Kocovic ◽  
Tatjana Rakonjac-Antic ◽  
Marija Jovovic

This article deals with the impact of the global financial crisis on the scale and structure of investment portfolios of insurance companies, with respect to their difference compared to other types of financial institution, which derives from the specific nature of insurance activities. The analysis includes insurance companies? exhibited and expected patterns of behavior as investors in the period before, during, and after the crisis, considering both the markets of economically developed countries and the domestic financial market of Serbia. The direction of insurers? investments in the post-crisis period should be very carefully examined in terms of their future implications for the insurance companies? long-term financial health, and defined in a broader context of managing all risks to which they are exposed, taking into account the interdependence of these risks. Pertinent recommendations in this regard have arisen from research of relevant past experience and current trends, and also from an analysis and comparison of views on this subject presented by a number of authors.

2011 ◽  
Vol 14 (01) ◽  
pp. 153-169 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hsiao-Yin Chen ◽  
Cheng-Few Lee ◽  
Tzu Tai ◽  
Kehluh Wang

The main purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of the 2007 financial tsunami on the Taiwanese financial market. We find that, although significant for banks, security firms, and insurance companies, the effect was relatively lower if compared with that in Europe and the United States. In addition, we present fiscal and monetary policies issued by the Taiwanese government in reaction to the global financial crisis. These policy measures focused on stabilizing the financial market, reducing the level of unemployment, and creating more lending opportunities in support of Taiwanese companies. We also discuss the policy measures of the US government and other Asian countries in relation to the global financial crisis. Finally, we provide some suggestions to improve financial supervision and enhance financial reforms in Taiwan.


Author(s):  
Marek Palasinski

The main purpose of this study was to explore the impact of downsizing and efficiency measures on two key elements of operational performance - fraud detection and fraud reporting. Qualitative data were obtained from ethnographic observations of two major multinational insurance companies, which were already examined before the Global Financial Crisis, and subjected to an inter - and intra - business comparative analysis of anti - fraud resources. The paper points out a big discrepancy in opinions on the downsizing effects between junior staff and their supervisors. Whereas the latter present them as enabling the business to deal with suspicious claims more quickly, the former offer a contrastingly different view in which the constantly growing pressure often lea ds to suspicious claims getting approved. By validating the practical implications of a purposefully adapted version of resource - based theory, the paper illustrates the inviability of subjecting anti - fraud resources to the same levels of downsizing and efficiency as other business resources. Although the literature on the general negative impact of downsizing on the broadly - defined operational performance is growing, this is the first major study to examine its impact on insurance anti - fraud processes and illustrate their changes following the Global Financial Crisis.


2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 86
Author(s):  
S. Aydin Yüksel ◽  
Asli Yüksel ◽  
Ümit Erol ◽  
Hakki Öztürk

The aim of this paper is to analyze the impact of the Global Financial Crisis (GFC) on the co-integration relationship between the REIT and stock market indices using a sample of 10 developed countries. The main tool employed for this purpose is the dynamic co-integration approach. The empirical results strongly suggest that the stock and REIT markets were deeply affected by two successive crises. The first crisis was related to the U.S. subprime problems while the second shock emanated from the European insolvency problems. The shocks led to serious structural breaks in the financial data during the 2007-2012 period. As a result of this and the highly variable nature of the co-integration structure during this period, the conventional and static Johansen tests cannot detect the strong co-integration between the REIT and stock markets which were the result of common negative response of both markets to the successive shocks. Dynamic co-integration approach seems to be a more valid tool to capture the dynamics of the co-integration structure after the GFC. The dynamic approach implies that the destruction of diversification benefits between the REIT and stock markets was essentially a shock related outcome which also implies that the diversification potential between these two markets may still be valid in the absence of shocks.


2009 ◽  
Vol 38 (3) ◽  
pp. 165-181 ◽  
Author(s):  
Margot Schüller ◽  
Yun Schüler-Zhou

This contribution analyses the impact of the global financial crisis on the Chinese economy and the policies implemented by the Chinese government to cope with it. We argue, first, that China has not been able to decouple its economic performance from that of the U.S. and other developed countries. Second, although economic growth in the second quarter of 2009 showed that the stimulus package is working, the current development does not seem to be sustainable. In order to avoid another round of overheating, the government needs to adjust its stimulus policy. Third, the current crisis offers opportunities to conduct necessary structural adjustments in favour of more market-based and innovative industries, more investment by private companies and a stronger role of private consumption in economic growth. Fourth, with the external demand from the OECD countries declining, Chinese export companies need to further diversify their international markets and reorient their production and sales strategies to some extent towards the domestic market.


2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (PNEA) ◽  
pp. 459-484
Author(s):  
Miriam Sosa ◽  
Edgar Ortiz

This paper aims to examine the impact of the Global Financial Crisis on portfolio investment flows, as well as on stock market activity. Network Theory is used to analyze structural changes of foreign portfolio investment flows (FPI) to a sample of 13 developed countries and 6 emerging Latin American countries. Additionally, using daily data from 2003 to 2015, the dynamics of returns are analyzed to test whether the US market influenced these markets or vice versa; univariate (MS-AR) and multivariate (MS-VAR) regime-switching models are used. The evidence confirms the presence of two different regimes, low volatility and a high volatility for all markets. Findings suggest strengthening local productive and financial institutions in order to anchor FPI. The MS-(V)AR study is limited to stock markets from the Americas and Europe. Previous literature has not applied the innovative and complementary methodologies employed here to analyze financial crisis impacts on FPI flows. We conclude that US financial markets keep a close financial relationship with the most important European and American countries’ stock markets, both by receiving and delivering FPI, and in addition influencing the behavior of stock indexes.


ALQALAM ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 187
Author(s):  
Budi Harsanto

The fall of Enron, Lehman Brothers and other major financial institution in the world make researchers conduct various studies about crisis. The research question in this study is, from Islamic economics and business standpoint, why the global financial crisis can happen repeatedly. The purpose is to contribute ideas regarding Islamic viewpoint linked with the global financial crisis. The methodology used is a theoretical-reflective to various article published in academic journals and other intellectual resources with relevant themes. There are lots of analyses on the causes of the crisis. For discussion purposes, the causes divide into two big parts namely ethics and systemic. Ethics contributed to the crisis by greed and moral hazard as a theme that almost always arises in the study of the global financial crisis. Systemic means that the crisis can only be overcome with a major restructuring of the system. Islamic perspective on these two aspect is diametrically different. At ethics side, there is exist direction to obtain blessing in economics and business activities. At systemic side, there is rule of halal and haram and a set of mechanism of economics system such as the concept of ownership that will early prevent the seeds of crisis. Keywords: Islamic economics and business, business ethics, financial crisis 


2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 91
Author(s):  
Sinem Sefil-Tansever

The aim of this study is to examine mechanism responsible for the behavior of the income and earning inequality in Turkey during the global financial crisis based on data from the 2006 to 2014 Income and Living Conditions Survey. Gini decomposition by income source is employed in order to provide an analysis of the contribution of the various income sources to the evolution of income inequality and to assess the impact of a marginal percentage change in the income from a particular source on income inequality. For examining the contributions of specific variables (education, position in occupation, economic sector) to the interpretation of labor earnings inequality in terms of their gross and marginal contribution, we use static decomposition of Theil T index.


Asian Survey ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
pp. 135-145 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles E. Ziegler

Russia's seamless presidential succession produced no major changes in domestic politics or foreign policy. Ties with Asia remained strong, though several key relationships——with China, Japan, and the Central Asian states——frayed under the impact of Russia's military action in Georgia. Impressive economic performance in the first half of the year boosted Russian confidence as a great power, but its vulnerability to the global financial crisis together with the heavy-handed operation in the Caucasus undermined Moscow's standing with both Asia and Europe by the end of the year.


2015 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 19-31 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janice Lay Hui Nga

This paper investigates the issue of the global financial crisis and its impacts on philanthropy and civil society organisations (CSOs) in Malaysia. CSOs are popularly known as non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in Malaysia. Financial crisis has caused NGOs in many countries to receive less funding. This situation may threaten and discourage voluntary works. Undoubtedly, these beneficial contributions from the NGOs are needful services to the society. This paper examines the impact of financial crisis through the lens of NGOs and philanthropy activities in Malaysia. It utilises primary and secondary data, employs a mixed method approach, and uses quantitative and qualitative data. While there are many influencing factors in this development, this paper presents several significant aspects in the Malaysian context, including the style and nature of giving, culture, religion, and political pressure. This study attempts to seek potential solutions, pathways and possible approaches beneficial to NGOs and philanthropy activities for their sustainability in facing the financial crisis and its consequences. Experiences and lessons learnt in Malaysia may well be useful and applicable to some extent in other countries.


2011 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rohana Othman ◽  
Nooraslinda Abdul Aris ◽  
Rafidah Mohd Azli ◽  
Roshayani Arshad

The global financial crisis that devastated many of the worlds financial systems in a manner never seen before exposed the glaring weakness in risk management and interest-driven policies. The crisis brought the collapse of several iconic financial institutions once perceived to be too strong to capitulate. The crisis engulfed one economy after another from corporations to eventually bring about the collapse of governments of countries reeling from the impact of the crisis. Asset values plummeted and the crisis clearly demonstrated the fragility of the western capitalist system and the free market economy. The Islamic economic and financial system is anchored on universal honorable values, ideals and morals - honesty, credibility, transparency, co-operation and solidarity. These fundamental values uphold stability, security and safety in any financial transactions. Of paramount consideration is that the Shariah prohibits any economic and financial transactions that involve usury, lying, gambling, cheating, unsubstantiated risk or uncertainty (gharar), monopoly, exploitation, greed, unfairness and taking other peoples money unjustly. Another key aspect to the philosophy behind the Islamic financial system is money issued must be fully asset backed. It is impermissible to allow money to be traded for money except at par. Islam is not just the prohibition of riba and zakah (alms); it is a comprehensive system to fulfill societys basic necessities (food, clothing and shelter). History has demonstrated that Islam has the capacity to deliver and has succeeded in providing a viable economic system.


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