This book is a unique guide to the disruptions, innovations, and opportunities that technology provides the insurance sector and acts as an academic/industry-specific guide for creating operational effectiveness, managing risk, improving financials, and retaining customers. It also contains the current philosophy and actionable strategies from a wide range of contributors who are experts on the topic. It logically explains why traditional ways of doing business will soon become irrelevant and therefore provides an alternative choice by embracing technology. Practitioners and students alike will find value in the support for understanding practical implications of how technology has brought innovation and modern methods to measure, control, and evaluation price risk in the insurance business. It will help insurers reduce operational costs, strengthen customer interactions, target potential customers to provide usage-based insurance, and optimize the overall business. Retailers and industry giants have made significant strides in adopting digital platforms to deliver a satisfying customer experience. Insurance companies must adjust their business models and strategies to remain competitive and take advantage of technology. Insurance companies are increasingly investing in IT and related technologies to improve customer experience and reduce operational costs. Innovation through new technologies is a key driver of change in the financial sector which is often accompanied by uncertainty and doubt. This book will play a pivotal role in risk management through fraud detection, regulatory compliances, and claim settlement leading to overall satisfaction of customers.

The Impact of CLIMATE CHANGE and SUSTAINABILITY STANDARDS on the INSURANCE MARKET The book explores the role of the insurance industry in contributing and responding to the harms that climate change has brought. This book delves into the physical and logical impacts, both direct and indirect, on the insurance industry. Subjects discussed include new technology such as big data, artificial intelligence, machine learning, the growth of sustainable economics with foreign direct investments (FDIs), trustworthiness, and ethics. Related use cases of data science for claim processing, fraud detection and prevention, policy administration, pricing, and underwriting are discussed along with cyber security issues, data protection, and big data regulatory reforms. To promote ESG sustainability, the insurance industry plays a critical and significant role. Climate-related risks are being factored into underwriting and investing strategies. Through their own operations and business activities, insurers may promote the ESG agenda and move towards sustainability. Also discussed are promoting diversity and inclusion, lowering greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, resolving gender inequality, and helping communities through charitable work, which all improve a company’s brand, reputation, and ESG credentials. Audience The book is specially designed for administrators, lecturers, researchers, students of insurance and sustainability, students in financial services, insurance practitioners, actuaries, loss adjusters, underwriters, regulators, facilities management, utility companies, voluntary organizations, government departments, business leaders, policymakers, decision-makers, investors, risk managers, compliance managers, and audit managers amongst many others.

Digitization of economic and management processes allows for the delivery of new value and higher efficiency in the implementation of strategic goals. This is due to the inclusion of digital technologies in the existing rules of functioning among partners involved in the flow of resources, and from their readiness for digital transformation. A significant challenge, in practical, organizational, and scientific terms is to understand the opportunities and threats resulting from digital transformation, to identify optimal strategies for the development of business entities in new economic and management conditions, taking care to adopt collateral and proper management of new risks. Addressing this challenge to the readers - contributors indicate the latest theoretical advances, and practical examples in Moldova, Kosovo, and the BRIC countries, among others. This results in a synthetic look at the complex digital transformation processes of the modern world, both in terms of the underlying causes and the vast effects of the transformations and digitization of social and economic life. Contemporary Studies in Economic and Financial Analysis publishes a series of current and relevant themed volumes within the fields of economics and finance.

Digitization of economic and management processes allows for the delivery of new value and higher efficiency in the implementation of strategic goals. This is due to the inclusion of digital technologies in the existing rules of functioning among partners involved in the flow of resources, and from their readiness for digital transformation. A significant challenge, in practical, organizational, and scientific terms is to understand the opportunities and threats resulting from digital transformation, to identify optimal strategies for the development of business entities in new economic and management conditions, taking care to adopt collateral and proper management of new risks. Addressing this challenge to the readers - contributors indicate the latest theoretical advances, and practical examples in Latvia, Romania, and Sri Lanka, among others. This results in a synthetic look at the complex digital transformation processes of the modern world, both in terms of the underlying causes and the vast effects of the transformations and digitization of social and economic life. Contemporary Studies in Economic and Financial Analysis publishes a series of current and relevant themed volumes within the fields of economics and finance. Both disciplinary and interdisciplinary studies are welcome.

With the rapid development of technologies, it becomes increasingly important for us to remain up-to-date on new and emerging technologies. This series, therefore, aims to deliver content on current and future technologies and how the young generation benefits from this. The global financial crisis has highlighted major weaknesses in financial records, information, and data. These weaknesses have led to inadequacies in the access to financial records and information, higher operational risks, flawed bankruptcies, and foreclosure proceedings. The Lockdown due to the ongoing pandemic COVID-19 has increased the scope for criminals to exploit vulnerabilities and commit financial crimes. The increased online presence and homeworking have significantly expanded the attack surface for cybercriminals. Criminals are exploiting vulnerabilities, increasing the risks of cyber-attacks, money laundering and terrorist financing. Research is therefore needed to identify trends, tools and applications that will provide the needed records, information, and data to support more effective financial analysis and risk management. Financial Technology (FinTech) has become one of the most pioneering and cost-effective disruptive technologies. Initial adaptation of FinTech solutions has permitted several start-ups, financial service providers, and other assorted sectors to accomplish an augmented pace of growth. Contemporary Studies of Risks in Emerging Technology: Part B also highlights how emerging technologies are altering the subtleties of doing business for financial services benefactors, possibility of emerging technologies, advantages and disadvantages, technology linked issues/challenges in financial services, and also highlights drivers of this revolution.

Emerald Studies In Finance, Insurance, And Risk Management 7 explores how AI and Automation enhance the basic functions of human resource management. The traditional framework of Human Resource Management (HRM) primarily consists of four functions: Human Resource Planning, Recruitment and Selection, Training and Development and Performance Management Systems which help businesses in hiring, motivating and retaining employees. The introduction of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has changed all of these aspects. This second volume in The Adoption and Effect of Artificial Intelligence on Human Resources Management Series reflects upon: the accuracy of using AI to nominate candidates; the change readiness of employees; impacts and challenges on HRM practices; effects on upskilling; and the effects of the pandemic; concluding with an overall state of industry trends. This book is ideal for HR managers, senior managers, researchers, and students planning a career in this field.

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to further acceleration of digitalization in all areas. This caused significant changes in economic and social life. Through digitalization, the need for people in business life has decreased and has forced the traditional employment structure to change. During the pandemic period, some segments enjoyed the advantages of owning digital technologies, while others remained strangers to the new world because they were deprived of digital technologies, revealing the inequality of opportunity on an individual or social basis. Although this rapid change produced positive results, it also brought about risks. To help mitigate such emerging risks, The New Digital Era's two volumes vitally generate new information in order to determine the advantages and risks in which areas this digitalization, which has increased with the COVID-19 pandemic. The chapter authors highlight the new social and economic policies that are needed to balance the effects on social and economic life and prevent possible conflicts between individuals and societies Contemporary Studies in Economic and Financial Analysis publishes a series of current and relevant themed volumes within the fields of economics and finance. Both disciplinary and interdisciplinary studies are welcome.

Big data - unstructured and/or structured data being used to influence underwriting, rating, pricing, forms, marketing and claims handling and incentivize risk reduction - is a relatively recent development in the insurance industry, the data sets previously being too impossibly great to analyse through traditional methods. However, with the global capacity to collect and store data growing alongside advancements in AI and machine learning technology, insurers need to seriously evaluate their technology stacks to ensure they can remain competitive and respond to growing customer demand. Striking a balance between the technical characteristics of the subject and the practical aspects of decision making, spanning from fraud analytics in claims management, to customer analytics, to risk analytics in solvency, the comprehensive coverage presented makes Big Data an invaluable resource for any insurance professional. Providing high quality academic research, Emerald Studies in Finance, Insurance, and Risk Management provides a platform for authors to explore, analyse and discuss current and new financial models and theories, and engage with innovative research on an international scale. Subjects of interest may include banking, accounting, auditing, compliance, sustainability, behaviour, management, and business economics.

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to further acceleration of digitalisation in all areas. This caused significant changes in economic and social life. Through digitalisation, the need for people in business life has decreased and has forced the traditional employment structure to change. During the pandemic period, some segments enjoyed the advantages of owning digital technologies, while others remained strangers to the new world because they were deprived of digital technologies, revealing the inequality of opportunity on an individual or social basis. Although this rapid change produced positive results, it also brought about risks. To help mitigate such emerging risks, The New Digital Era's two volumes vitally generate new information in order to determine the advantages and risks in which areas this digitalisation, which has increased with the COVID-19 pandemic. The chapter authors highlight the new social and economic policies that are needed to balance the effects on social and economic life and prevent possible conflicts between individuals and societies Contemporary Studies in Economic and Financial Analysis publishes a series of current and relevant themed volumes within the fields of economics and finance. Both disciplinary and interdisciplinary studies are welcome.

Big Data Analytics in the Insurance Market is an industry-specific guide to creating operational effectiveness, managing risk, improving financials, and retaining customers. This book will be a 'must' for people seeking to broaden their knowledge of big data concepts and their real-world applications, particularly in the field of insurance. The insurance industry is largely dependent on data, and the advent of Big Data and analytics represents a major advance with tremendous potential. Yet clear, practical advice on the business side of analytics is lacking. This book fills the void with concrete information on using Big Data in the context of day-to-day insurance operations and strategy. This book an invaluable resource for any insurance professional from practitioners and policymakers working at insurance companies, to undergraduate and graduate students of economics management, and finance. Providing high quality academic research, ESFIRM provides a platform for authors to explore, analyse and discuss current and new financial models and theories, and engage with innovative research on an international scale.

Public Sector Leadership in Assessing and Addressing Risk explores risk management in practice, taking a specific focus on the identification of risks in the European public sector while contextualising its Eurocentric analysis within a global setting. The volume lays important groundwork for understanding the main philosophical premises of risk management. Navigating the text's philosophical underpinnings such as 'Risk Management is a misnomer', the editors provide deep insight into global, strategic, and operational risk management that will prove invaluable for any practitioner. Providing high quality academic research, ESFIRM provides a platform for authors to explore, analyse and discuss current and new financial models and theories, and engage with innovative research on an international scale.

Managing Risk and Decision Making in Times of Economic Distress: Part B adds much needed scholarly analysis of the fledgling decision/control approach, arguing the merits of its empirical content to shed light on the structure of capital contracts and rationale for diversity of objectives. Underpinning the book's central arguments are questions surrounding the identification and realisation of opportunities during periods of distress or disruption. Although such questions have been the focus of corporate finance, risk management, and financial management studies and literature, within the context of COVID-19 gaps remain unresolved. Continuity should be a proactive living plan to return to the norm we know, and continuity planning forms an integral part of a risk management strategy. With the future set to be shaped by these many disruptions and humanity's responses to it, critical insights are more important than ever, to ensure and determine progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals and recovering from these economic and social challenges. Contemporary Studies in Economic and Financial Analysis publishes a series of current and relevant themed volumes within the fields of economics and finance. Both disciplinary and interdisciplinary studies are welcome.

Challenges destabilize the norm and create distresses and disruptions in, for example, the culture, the technology, regulations, the environmental, etc. that influence the pace of finance and economic activities. This book is a collection of 13 chapters and studies about Insurance and Risk management in response to disruptions caused by social, economic, and environmental challenges to try and stabilize the economy in an effort to ensure sustainability. Insurance and Risk Management for Disruptions in Social, Economic and Environmental Systems brings together studies from scholars, researchers and professionals with different disciplinary backgrounds to highlight discuss and exchange ideas on these challenges, which may seem a danger, but offer prospects for economic and business development. Books in the Emerald Studies In Finance, Insurance, And Risk Management series collect quantitative and qualitative studies in areas relating to finance, insurance, and risk management. Subjects of interest may include banking, accounting, auditing, compliance, sustainability, behaviour, management, and business economics.

Our current economic systems have become addicted to growth at all costs, as measured by Gross Domestic Product (GDP). They assume that GDP growth is synonymous with increased wellbeing and prosperity. However, this approach has led to growing inequality, an escalating climate crisis, and the depletion of natural and social capital. Our approach to economics and development needs to be fundamentally transformed. New Challenges for Future Sustainability and Wellbeing is a collection of 25 studies about sustainability and the related challenges, such as income, wealth, social aspects, the environment, education and regional equality that influence the pace of economic development and deteriorates well-being of people and organisations all over the world. This book provides a platform for scholars, researchers and professionals from different disciplinary backgrounds to discuss, highlight and exchange ideas on these challenges and prospects for both economic and business development.

This special edition of Contemporary Studies in Economic and Financial Analysis offers twenty-three chapters by invited participants in the International Applied Social Science Congress. In these chapters chronical a wide variety of important issues such as: Volatility spillover between conventional stock index and participation index; The Interplay Between Experience, Satisfaction and Positive Word of Mouth: A Study on City Marketing in Afyonkarahisar and more. This international and wide-ranging exploration on different economic systems provides a comprehensive account which brings a wide range of countries to the forefront in terms of both comparability and accountability, this study shines a light on the differences in systems between states, and provides timely and accurate information to equip readers to minimize those differences.

Despite their broad scope and importance, publications related to public sector accounting and auditing have a limited framework, and do not account for the significant variances in public sector accounting and auditing systems between countries and different subsectors of government. The editors of this book have filled this gap by compiling a collection that combines different aspects of public sector accounting and auditing within a single book. Pooling together existing public sector accounting and auditing practices between countries and preparing a comparative analysis of those practices, the authors analyze the role of the public sector accounting and auditing holistically, and provide a platform to enable financially sustainable policy making and proper assessment of the relevance of accounting frameworks across the globe. The chapters chronicle the strength and weakness of public sector accounting, auditing and systems, and also critically examine the approaches, recording methods, and international regulations which determine how they operate. Providing a comprehensive account which brings a wide range of countries to the forefront in terms of both comparability and accountability, this study shines a light on the differences in accounting systems between states, and provides timely and accurate information to equip readers to minimize those differences.

Every day presents new challenges as the face of global economics changes. But in a world of uncertainty, how is the world of finance and economics adjusting to address these new issues? In this first book in the Emerald Studies in Finance, Insurance, and Risk Management, expert contributors from around the world come together to discuss and address the emerging issues in global economics. Including chapters on international migration in Europe, theories on finance and accounting, labour studies, international economic policy and its effect, affecting factors on financial and capital markets, and the relationship between internal stock markets, Uncertainty and Challenges in Contemporary Economic Behaviour tackles the questions, concerns, and fears of the modern face of global economics. A fundamental text for any researcher or student of business and economics, this exciting new series investigates and examines some of the most prevalent questions in contemporary economics.

Financial Derivatives have long been the subject of conflicting views. For some, they are a useful instrument, too often maligned by those who do not understand them; for others, they are a complete waste of time and money. But which is it? Should we embrace financial derivatives, or fear them? In Financial Derivatives: A Blessing or a Curse? Simon Grima and Eleftherios I. Thalassinos rigorously explore the theory and debates surrounding this controversial topic. First exploring the perceived problems and the uses of derivatives, they study and evaluate the people who use financial derivatives; the impacts of derivatives use; and examples of safe use of derivatives. Looking at real-world examples, Grima and Thalassinos include public case studies on financial firms such as Barings Bank PLC, Allied Irish Bank, and Societe Generale, as well as non-financial firms including Metallgesellschaft AG and Enron. Through these case studies, the roots of firm failure and large losses become clear, asking whether it is the misuse of this financial instrument, rather than the derivatives instrument itself, that is the cause. For students and researchers in finance, or practitioners involved in trading, regulating, or auditing, this is a fundamental text exploring a controversial and relevant concept.

This book examines the challenges for the life insurance sector in Europe arising from new technologies, socio-cultural and demographic trends, and the financial crisis. It presents theoretical and applied research in all areas related to life insurance products and markets, and explores future determinants of the insurance industry's development by highlighting novel solutions in insurance supervision and trends in consumer protection. Drawing on their academic and practical expertise, the contributors identify problems relating to risk analysis and evaluation, demographic challenges, consumer protection, product distribution, mortality risk modeling, applications of life insurance in contemporary pension systems, financial stability and solvency of life insurers. They also examine the impact of population aging on life insurance markets and the role of digitalization. Lastly, based on an analysis of early experiences with the implementation of the Solvency II system, the book provides policy recommendations for the development of life insurance in Europe.

This special 100th edition of the Emerald book series Contemporary Issues in Economic and Financial Analysis dedicates 14 chapters to contemporary issues in business and financial management in Eastern Europe by authors invited mainly from the Rostov State University of Economics. As the title suggests, the chapters are a mix of studies on economic and financial aspects in Eastern Europe. Two chapters are dedicated to the green economy and finance and others to information technology in banks and the treasury, problems of fund raising for accumulated damage repair, company business and individual entrepreneurship activity strategy, competency-based management, the economic coenosis theory, the fiscal mechanism, global interaction in the world economy, bank economic capital model, corporate reporting and the concept of alienation.

Malta is the only country in the European Union, and one of only six countries in the world, that has not had a banking crisis since the 1970s. Despite its lack of raw materials, Malta currently has one of the lowest rates of unemployment and inflation in the EU, as well as a positive GDP. Yet there are only a few studies on the development of the industry that contributes most to its economy, the financial services industry. Drawing upon empirical findings, archival research, and interviews, Zammit, Spiteri, and Grima fill a major gap in the literature by delivering a study of the development of the Maltese insurance industry. The authors collect literature and insights from prominent figureheads in order to outline the history of this major sector of the Maltese economy, tracing its roots back to the earliest inhabitants of the island, through to the expansion of its maritime trade, and working right up to the present with the emergence of more complex and sophisticated insurance services and products. The success of Malta's specific risk-management practices, generally characterized by risk-avoidance and prudence, is shown to have implications beyond Maltese financial policy and regulatory development: it offers concrete guidance from a small-scale "laboratory" for the complex policy and development decisions of larger nations. This study is of interest to students and academics of insurance, risk management, and financial services, and it offers food for thought and guidance to practitioners and policy makers.

Including studies on different topical issues in finance by the participants of the 8th international scientific conference "New Challenges of Economic and Business Development - 2016" this new work contains research from various European countries, specifically Germany, Italy, Latvia, Malta, and Poland. Chapters explore the impact of financial literacy on domestic economic activity in the Baltic States, the rapid rise of FinTech, which has changed the banking landscape, requiring more innovative solutions; Crowdfunding in the European Union, specifically examining the performance, development and perspectives; the case of Latvia to highlight the Profiles of SMEs as Borrowers, the factors that interfere with the availability of funding to the small and medium-sized companies, an analysis of Risk Parity Approach for Sovereign Fixed-Income Portfolios in Eurozone countries by looking at studies of preventive arrangements with creditors in Italy; and Mergers and Acquisitions by studying examples of best practices in Cross-Border acquisitions.

Contemporary Issues in Financial Services special edition includes studies by the University of Malta, MSc Banking and Finance graduates and the respective lecturers, on financial services within particular countries or regions and studies of particular themes such as credit risk management, fund management and evaluation, forex hedging using derivatives and sovereign fixed income portfolios.

The Covid 19 pandemic has created chaos in the business world and forced leaders to rethink their operational status quo. Balancing the physical and virtual spaces of the global digital economy wherein economic, commercial, and professional transactions are enabled by information and communication technologies has called for additional support from data-driven technologies like smart analytics and artificial intelligence. Opportunities created within digital economies to leverage technologies to execute tasks better, faster, and often differently have found the desired prominence in the recent past. Though the benefits outweigh the risks, the challenges in digitalised economies are as sophisticated as the solutions they offer. Contemporary Studies in Economic and Financial Analysis publishes a series of current and relevant themed volumes within the fields of economics and finance. Both disciplinary and interdisciplinary studies are welcome.

The Covid 19 pandemic has created chaos in the business world and forced leaders to rethink their operational status quo. Balancing the physical and virtual spaces of the global digital economy wherein economic, commercial, and professional transactions are enabled by information and communication technologies has called for additional support from data-driven technologies like smart analytics and artificial intelligence. Opportunities created within digital economies to leverage technologies to execute tasks better, faster, and often differently have found the desired prominence in the recent past. Though the benefits outweigh the risks, the challenges in digitalised economies are as sophisticated as the solutions they offer. Smart Analytics, Artificial Intelligence and Sustainable Performance Management in a Global Digitalized Economy presents various viewpoints on topics like artificial intelligence, blockchain technology, digitalisation in various sectors, technology issues like cybersecurity and financial inclusion, and technology-enabled banking issues like money laundering. The theme of sustainability forms the core of the book.