Integrating Risk and Value for Improved Decision Making in Indian Insurance Sector

Abstract

The increasingly competitive and constantly changing nature of the financial services industry is beginning to drive many insurance companies to move beyond traditional profitability measures to more sophisticated value models based on cash flows and modern portfolio theory. At the  same time, increased volatility in the global financial markets has spurred significant efforts to improve risk management practices. In most insurance companies, however, these two developments are occurring  independently, without co-ordination and often with inconsistent and potentially conflicting approaches. This article explores the integration of risk management with managing for value. It discusses how a risk measurement and management framework can be integrated with value analysis to improve management decision-making. It also presents an approach for incorporating these risk and value management concepts into an insurer’s day-to-day business operations. This framework is a  practical guide to assist public service employees in their decision-making. At the organizational level, it will help departments and agencies to think more strategically and improve their ability to set common priorities. At  the individual level, it will help all employees to develop new skills and will  strengthen their ability to anticipate, assess and manage risk.