An efficiency comparison of direct and indirect channels in Taiwan insurance marketing
Direct Marketing: An International Journal
ISSN: 1750-5933
Article publication date: 16 October 2009
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to compare the efficiency of bancassurance, an indirect marketing channel formed through the creation of subsidiaries, with an insurer's own team, a direct marketing channel, in the Taiwan insurance sector.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper uses the Charnes, Cooper, and Rhodes (CCR) model to measure the decision‐making units' (DMU) operating efficiency.
Findings
The three major findings are: the efficiency score of a direct marketing channel is significantly higher than that of a comparable indirect marketing channel. The efficiency relationship between the indirect marketing channel and the direct marketing channel is independent. A marketing efficiency evaluation, when divided into different marketing channels for evaluation, provides meaningful results for marketing decision‐makers.
Originality/value
By comparing the efficiency between two different insurance marketing channels, managers in life insurance companies can make a more informed choice.
Keywords
Citation
Ku Fan, C. and Wen Cheng, S. (2009), "An efficiency comparison of direct and indirect channels in Taiwan insurance marketing", Direct Marketing: An International Journal, Vol. 3 No. 4, pp. 343-359. https://doi.org/10.1108/17505930911000900
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2009, Emerald Group Publishing Limited