Studia Universitatis Vasile Goldiș Arad, Seria Științe Economice

Analysis of Underwriting Activity and Its Impact on the Profitability Ratios of the Insurance Companies Listed in the Iraq Stock Exchange

Ahmed Khalaf Hussein Al-Zuhairi — Fri, 19 Apr 2024 00:00:00 +0800

It is commonly accepted that the success and expansion of insurance companies' underwriting operations, which is indicated by the premiums received from insurance policies, is reflected in their profitability rates. During the period of 2010 to 2021, Iraqi insurance companies in the private sector that are listed on the Iraq Stock Exchange experienced a fluctuation in the increase and noticeable decrease of gross written premiums, which had a negative impact on their profitability ratios. The aim of this investigation is to analyze the underwriting activities carried out by all insurance companies that are publicly listed on the Iraq Stock Exchange spanning from 2010 to 2021, and assess the impact of these activities on the companies' profitability rates. To evaluate the profitability of these firms, three indicators are used, namely the rate of return on assets, return on equity, and profit margin ratio. The study employs Data Panel models using Eviews 12 to identify the research samples during the study period. Additionally, the pooled regression model is used to compare the findings and test the hypotheses of the study. In a structured manner, data is collected from the annual reports released by the Iraq Stock Exchange. The statistical examination of the findings reveals that the gross written premium has a significant and positive influence on all of the profitability ratios that were evaluated in this study, namely the rate of return on assets, return on equity, and profit margin ratio.

Oil and Food Price Before and During Covid-19 Pandemic in Nigeria: a Non-linear ARLD Approach

Muhammad-Bashir Owolabi Yusuf, Tunde Jibril Salau, Adams Adeiza — Fri, 19 Apr 2024 11:37:49 +0800

This paper analyzes the relationship between food and oil prices in Nigeria before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, using monthly data from January 2018 to December 2021. The ARDL and NARDL models are applied to estimate the symmetry and asymmetric relationship that exists in food price behavior. The NARDL confirms the presence of asymmetries, and the bound test affirms the co-integration and long-run relationship among the variables. In the long run, there is a significant positive relation between oil price increases and food prices, but the long-run impact of oil price reductions on food prices is not significant. In the short run, only increases in oil prices exert a significant influence on food prices, while decreases in oil prices do not. Furthermore, the COVID-19 period exerts a positive and significant impact on food prices, while COVID-19 cases do not influence food prices in Nigeria.

Financial Capacity of Insurance Companies as a Factor of Stable Development of the Ukrainian Insurance Market

Fri, 19 Apr 2024 11:44:37 +0800

The relevance of the article is based on an in-depth study of the financial potential of insurers and its impact on the insurance market, which provides valuable information for the stakeholders of the insurance industry. Therefore, this study aims to determine approaches to revealing the essence of the financial capacity of insurers, based on the scientific tools of financial science. The leading approach to the study of this problem is the analysis of the dynamics of liabilities (raised and borrowed funds) and equity capital of insurers and the relationship between them, which enables a comprehensive look at the impact of these indicators on the development of insurance market and internal and external factors that have both an objective and subjective impact on the financial capacity of insurers and the insurance market. The article defines the stages and methodology of assessing the financial condition of insurers. In particular, the normative method, the comparative method, the static method, the formal-logical method, the economic-mathematical method, the method of analysis and synthesis became the leading research methods. These assessment methods are crucial for the timely determination of the current state of financial capacity and its potential. Using a multivariate correlation-regression model, the authors demonstrate the importance of various components of financial capacity. The presented results will be useful to various stakeholders in the insurance industry as they provide a deeper understanding of their financial strength, including the dynamics of liabilities, equity and leveraged funds. First of all, it was established that financial resources are the basis of financial capacity. Secondly, the definition of the insurance company's financial resources as a source and component of the company's functioning is formulated. Thirdly, it is shown that the insurer's financial capacity is logically dependent on its investment capacity, which is determined by the amount of financial resources. It was also determined that financial capacity is a dynamic quantity and is manifested only in the process of its use and ideally should be accompanied by its growth. Among them, it was proved that the main components that significantly affect the formation of the financial potential of insurers and the growth of the insurance market of Ukraine are insurance reserves and authorized capital. These conclusions can easily become the basis for the formation of further state insurance policy, which will be followed through legislative reforms, increased competition in the insurance market and will result in an increase in the level of trust among the population.

The Use Of Artificial Intelligence In Employee Recruitment In The Furniture Industry Of Iran According To The Role Of Contextual Factors

Ardeshir Bazrkar, Mehrdad Moradzad, Shady Shayegan — Fri, 19 Apr 2024 11:49:28 +0800

The present research aims to analyze the effect of contextual factors affecting the application of artificial intelligence technology in employee recruitment in the furniture industry of Iran, which is a practical purpose and has been carried out in a descriptive-surveillance manner, to find out the reasons, facilitators and limitations of its use with the presented conceptual model. Make this technology understandable to organizations during employee recruitment. To measure and analyze the effect of these factors, a questionnaire was used as an information-gathering tool, which was given to 250 senior managers and middle managers of companies active in the furniture industry of Iran. The results of the analysis of the information obtained in two descriptive and inferential parts, according to the data analysis algorithm in the method of structural equations and Smart PLS software, confirmed the hypotheses of the research and showed that the effective background factors include: technological factors, organizational and environmental have a positive and significant effect on the use of Artificial intelligence in the furniture industry in Iran, and the use of artificial intelligence as a competitive advantage improves the organizational capabilities of recruitment and recruitment (based on data, process, staff) in the furniture industry. Forgives. Also, it makes it easier to carry out "blind" Recruitment of employees processes and review frequent applications, and by simplifying the application analysis process through applicant tracking systems, it can save time and money in human resources processes and reduce discrimination in choices.

An Empirical Assessment of Microfinance and Its Associated Socio-economic Development

Vishal Goel — Fri, 19 Apr 2024 11:52:30 +0800

Microfinance institutions (MFIs) provide support for the sustainability of livelihood and financial inclusion through social development. Micro-enterprises helps in empowering the communities especially marginalized section worldwide. The MFIs attempt to transform the lives of poor people, through different interventions. It revolved around the social development of marginalized people. In recent decades, microfinance played a vital role in alleviating poverty and involved empowering low-income earners socially and economically. The present study intended to highlight the role of MFIs located in Jabalpur (Madhya Pradesh) in enhancing the social and economic status of beneficiaries. This study also acknowledges the significance of MFIs in eradicating poverty, through financial services. In this research, questionnaire responses were gathered and analyzed from 150 beneficiaries of three MFIs (Credit Access Grameen, ESAF, and Fusion Micro-finance) in Jabalpur. The exploratory data analysis reveals diverse findings, regarding the impact of microfinance on the socio-economic conditions of beneficiaries through improving their savings, supporting the employment generation, and as a whole improving life standards as well as eradicating poverty. Alternatively, MFI programs also assist beneficiaries in employment generation, to a certain extent. The conclusion of the research prioritizes that MFI programs ought to be accelerated more by the Government through different schemes and can be easily accessed to even remote areas for economic expansion and social development of low-privileged people.