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Operational Risk Management and Performance Efficiency of Insurance Companies in Nigeria

Ipigansi, Pretoria, Dim, Chinedu Henry

Abstract

This study examined the effect of operational risk management on the performance efficiency of insurance companies in Nigeria, focusing specifically on operational losses, expense ratio, and claims processing time. The study adopted an ex-post facto research design using panel data obtained from selected insurance firms over the study period. Pooled least squares regression technique was employed to analyze the data at a five percent level of significance. The findings revealed that operational losses have a negative but statistically insignificant effect on performance efficiency, while expense ratio has a negative and statistically significant effect on performance efficiency. The study further found that claims processing time has a positive but statistically insignificant relationship with performance efficiency. The study concludes that effective cost management, particularly reduction in expense ratio, is the most critical determinant of performance efficiency among insurance companies in Nigeria. It was therefore recommended that insurance firms strengthen internal control systems to reduce operational losses, prioritize cost reduction strategies to improve efficiency, and enhance claims management processes through digitalization and automation to sustain operational performance.

Keywords

Operational Risk ManagementOperational LossesExpense RatioClaims Processing TimePerformance EfficiencyInsurance CompaniesNigeria.

References

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