Long-Term Evolution of a Conceptual Schema at a Life Insurance Company

Author(s):  
Lex Wedemeijer

Enterprises need data resources that are stable and at the same time flexible to support current and new ways of doing business. However, there is a lack of understanding how flexibility of a Conceptual Schema design is demonstrated in its evolution over time. This case study outlines the evolution of a highly integrated Conceptual Schema in its business environment. A gradual decline in schema quality is observed: size and complexity of the schema increase, understandability and consistency decrease. Contrary to popular belief, it is found that changes aren’t driven only by “accepted” causes like new legislation or product innovation. Other change drivers are identified like error correction, changing perceptions of what the information need of the business is and elimination of derived data. The case shows that a real Conceptual Schema is the result of “objective” design practices as well as the product of negotiation and compromise with the user community.

Author(s):  
Lex Wedemeijer

Enterprises need data resources that are stable and at the same time flexible to support current and new ways of doing business. However, there is a lack of understanding how flexibility of a Conceptual Schema design is demonstrated in its evolution over time. This case study outlines the evolution of a highly integrated Conceptual Schema in its business environment. A gradual decline in schema quality is observed: size and complexity of the schema increase, understandability and consistency decrease. Contrary to popular belief, it is found that changes arent driven only by accepted causes like new legislation or product innovation. Other change drivers are identified like error correction, changing perceptions of what the information need of the business is and elimination of derived data. The case shows that a real Conceptual Schema is the result of objective design practices as well as the product of negotiation and compromise with the user community.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 1-27
Author(s):  
Parthasarathi Das ◽  
Tapas Ranjan Moharana ◽  
Indirah Indibara

Learning outcomes The specific learning objectives of the case are as follows: To contribute to the knowledge of environmental challenges faced by various financial companies while trying to foray into the rural markets, especially in case of insurance products’ expansion strategy; to understand the distribution strategy adopted by insurance companies in rural as well as urban markets; to apply the concepts such as mental accounting, designing and pricing of insurance products to develop an effective strategy for insurance products targeting the rural market; to be able to analyse the data available on products and the rural market structure that enables the students to derive from an implementable managerial framework and design an effective rural market strategy for insurance products; and to enable the students to evaluate the key rural market drivers, which will subsequently help them to develop a new structure of rural distribution channel. Case overview/synopsis ICICI Prudential Life Insurance Company Limited (IPRU) was trying to reach the last mile customers of rural India to tap the opportunity and meet the Indian Government's statutory requirement of financial inclusion. Even though the leadership of IPRU was optimistic about the untapped potential of rural India, and launched a separate business vertical - Rural Business Channel (RBC) in the year 2002 to cater to this target segment, yet it faced many strategic issues while foraying into the rural domain. The company struggled with both the designing of products as per the rural customers' needs, as well as the distribution of these products in rural areas. The present case study is an attempt to bring out the strategic challenges that were faced by the IPRU management, with a major focus on designing, pricing and distribution of rural insurance products. The case study will help the readers in understanding what might go wrong while entering new rural markets and how to deal with these challenges. Complexity academic level The case study can be used to teach both undergraduate and postgraduate management students. Supplementary materials Teaching Notes are available for educators only. Subject code CSS 8: Marketing.


2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Andrée Marie López-Fernández ◽  
Rajagopal

Subject area The subject area of the case study is strategic management with emphasis in stakeholder satisfaction and added value and business performance. Study level/applicability The case study illustrates the challenges of business dynamics in an emerging market. It is applicable, especially, for undergraduate and graduate students in management studies. Case overview The case of LPCI Insurance Company in Mexico illustrates the challenges that firms face when doing business in an unstable, rapidly changing environment. Conflict-affected areas pose significant threats and opportunities for firms; it is, however, up to the firm to decide whether to avoid change and risk or to design and execute effective strategies to tackle such external issues. The case has been developed in a narrative way as to demonstrate the intricacies of internal incidents and board meeting discussions, which lead to strategic planning and decision-making. Expected learning outcomes It is expected that students enhance their awareness of businesses’ role in the protection of Human Rights as a key factor in their engagement in corporate social responsibility and achievement of objectives. It is expected that students also increase their awareness of the implications of operating in a conflict-affected area in emerging markets. Also, it is expected that students learn that doing business effectively requires a holistic approach to business dynamics. Supplementary materials Teaching notes. Subject code CSS 11: Strategy.


2013 ◽  
Vol 11 (18) ◽  
pp. 289
Author(s):  
Душко Даничић ◽  
Данка Панић

Резиме: Укрупњавање власништва и преузимање предузећа је обично повезано са мотивима какви су: максимизирање добити у дугом року, освајање нових тржишта, остваривање контроле ради управљања предузећем и његовог дугорочног развоја и сл. Као мотив за куповину већинског учешћа или концентрацију не мора бити пословање, већ нематеријална и материјална имовина друштва, име или друге вриједне ставке пословне или инвестиционе активе. Из презентованих података добијених током обављеног истраживања, закључује се да се Република Српска сврстава у групу земаља у којима је власништво над излистаним компанијама концентрисано. Мотиви који су претходили концентрацији капитала често су повезани са имовином друштва, док је пословање имало споредну улогу, што је у многим случајевима довело до гашења пословних активности преузетих друштава. Промјена укупног пословног амбијента најбољи је начин да се не само концентрација капитала, већ и остале инвестиције усмјеравају ка реалном сектору и пословним циљевима који укључују развојне пројекте и инвестирање за будућност. Тиме ће се умањити мотивисаност власника капитала да инвестирају у краткорочне пројекте са циљем куповине и брзе продаје привредног друштва, што се код нас своди на продају ставки активе. На овај начин ће се умањити и број ликвидација које су подстакнуте намјером да се имовина друштва прода и уновчи.Summary: Еnlargement of ownership and takeover is usually associated with motifs such as: maximizing profit in the long term, new markets, gain control of management of the company and its long-term development, etc. The motive for the purchase of the majority share or concentration is not necessarily doing business, but tangible and intangible assets of the company, it’s name, or other valuable items of business or investment assets. From the presented data obtained during the research that was done, it could be concluded that the Republic of Srpska ranks among the countries in which the ownership of listed companies is concentrated. Motives that preceded the capital concentration are often associated with property companies, while business had a supporting role, which in many cases has led to the closure of books, business activities undertaken societies. Change in the overall business environment is the best way to not only capital but also the concentration of other investments are directed towards the real sector and business objectives that include development projects and investments for the future. This will reduce the motivation of the owners of capital to invest in short-term projects in order to purchase and quick sale of the company, it comes down to us on the sale of assets items. In this way the number of liquidation, that were triggered with the intent to sell the assets of companies, could be reduced.


2004 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 55-71
Author(s):  
Christine Storer ◽  
Geoffrey Soutar ◽  
Jacques Trienekens ◽  
Adrie Beulens ◽  
Mohammed Quaddus

It is agreed that good communication systems between organisations increase customer satisfaction and relationship behaviour. However, less is known about the details of how information is used to manage relationships. Theories that have been found have either been tested on non-perishable goods or on small case studies. In earlier stages of the research, a dynamic model of inter-organisational information management systems (IOIMS) and relationships was developed based on a netchain case study. This paper presents an evaluation of this model based on a survey of Australian food processors and a green life industry case study. Both studies found that the environment (power, dependency and market uncertainty) had a significant influence on (attitudinal) commitment to develop long-term customer/supplier relationships. In addition, the nature of the IOIMS was associated with perceived current outcomes (satisfaction with performance, perceived responsiveness and strength of relationship trust). However, commitment to develop long-term customer supplier relationships was not significantly associated with the IOIMS. Conclusions were more doubtful about the association between the business environment and the IOIMS and perceived current outcomes. Suggestions for future research are made.


2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 566-583
Author(s):  
Edgar Bellow ◽  
◽  
Lotfi Hamzi ◽  
Huai Yuan Han

Using a sustainable world orientation, this paper will examine the role of virtue ethics models (VE) in today’s globalized business environment in contrast to corporate responsibility models (CSR) of ethics. Examined through the lens of a qualitative case study framework using the coffee industry, the paper assesses and compares recent efforts to use VE and CSR models of social engagement and corporate sustainability, and vet their effects. Findings in terms of each firm’s sustainability, social weal, and good governance, as defined by the CSR and VE literature, are compared. Findings indicate that a VE approach to business ethics is one that will prove superior to CSR over the long term, but that it may be difficult for firms to interpret how to create best practices that will allow for a VE approach to sustainability to create the foundation for good governance. VE standards should be applied to a company’s employees and supply chain partners as well as leadership at the firm, because there must be an integration of ethics and leadership with practices and processes in each organization.


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