Hasil untuk "Insurance"

W. Schäfer, M. Kroneman, W. Boerma et al.

Limin Zhu, Wenlei Yu

Abstract This study explores how superstition, specifically China’s “zodiac year” belief predicting bad luck, influences corporate charitable donations, addressing the unexplored psychological mechanism behind religion’s impact on CSR. Using a sample of Chinese listed firms from 2007 to 2022, we find that before their zodiac year, the chairperson tends to increase the firm’s charitable donations due to their anticipation of bad luck, which highlights the impact of managers’ nonstandard beliefs on CSR. This effect is more pronounced in regions with a strong Taoist atmosphere and within family firms. Mechanism tests indicate that the impact intensifies when firms underperform or face negative media coverage, reflecting heightened insecurity. Additionally, chairpersons tend to engage in quiet giving and purchase extra insurance before their zodiac year, highlighting self-enhancement and self-protection motivations. Our findings reveal a mechanism of egoistic motivation behind CSR, that is, executives make donations for personal psychic gratification for themselves. This study contributes to the research on both religion and motivation of charitable donations by providing a novel perspective to explain the motivation behind corporate charitable donations.

Khue Xuan Nguyen, Duy Dao Huan, Han Pham Dinh

Type of the article: Research Article AbstractThis study investigates the key factors that shape individuals’ decisions to repurchase voluntary personal auto insurance, with particular attention to the mediating effect of customer satisfaction and the moderating role of perceived risk. Drawing upon the theory of planned behavior, perceived risk theory, and expectation-confirmation theory, the study employs a structured face-to-face survey conducted between January and April 2025 among 496 voluntary personal auto insurance policyholders in the Southeast region of Vietnam. Respondents were randomly selected from customers who had renewed their policies at least once, ensuring that the sample represented active policyholders with actual repurchase experience. Data were analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) to examine the hypothesized relationships. The analysis reveals that customer satisfaction is a critical driver of repurchase intention, acting both independently and through mediators such as brand image, subjective knowledge, and perceived value. Additional factors, namely price sensitivity and perceived behavioral control, also show positive effects on repurchasing behavior. Interestingly, perceived service quality does not significantly influence repurchase intention, indicating a potential shift in consumer expectations within digital insurance environments. Furthermore, the study finds that perceived risk mitigates the strength of the satisfaction-repurchase link, suggesting that even satisfied clients may hesitate to renew when uncertainty is high. The results contribute to theoretical models of post-purchase behavior and provide practical implications for insurers seeking to enhance customer loyalty through improved satisfaction, trust, and risk communication. AcknowledgmentThis research was conducted as part of the doctoral dissertation approved by Decision No. 1218/QD-DHNCT on December 14, 2023, by Nam Can Tho University, Vietnam. The authors express their gratitude to the reviewers and editor-in-chief for their valuable assistance in preparing this study.

Nandini Krishappa, Girisha Gowdra Shivappa, Sharon Zachariah et al.

Genomic data sharing remains a core problem in precision medicine because genomic data are highly sensitive and unchangeable. In this article, we propose a blockchain-based framework that utilizes zero-knowledge proofs (ZKPs), smart contracts, and off-chain storage to facilitate secure, privacy-preserving data sharing within health record systems. We implemented and evaluated a proof-of-concept prototype in Python on a simulated genomic dataset. The prototype uses a hybrid storage system where metadata is retained on a blockchain and encrypted data are placed in an emulated InterPlanetary File System (IPFS). Rule-based access is controlled using smart contracts, while privacy and security are achieved using ZKPs with interactive Schnorr protocol and elliptic curve cryptography (ECC). Empirical analysis using real-time testing over 100 iterations reported an average zero-knowledge proof with blockchain (ZKPB) query latency of 5.83 ms with a 90.00% accuracy, smart contract latency of under 0.01 ms with 90.00% accuracy, blockchain query time of 0.01 ms with 90.00% accuracy, and ECC latency of 8.72 ms with 90.00% accuracy. These empirical findings validate the effectiveness and privacy guarantees of the framework, which can be utilized in healthcare research, clinical genomics, and personalized medicine workflows. In the age of precision medicine, genomic data are becoming central to powering customized diagnosis and therapy. However, its permanent and sensitive nature raises concerns over privacy, misuse, and unauthorized exploitation. Legacy centralized architecture remains vulnerable to breaches, thus necessitating more resilient alternatives. Recent advances have turned towards blockchain for its decentralization and permanence but remain incomplete in terms of scalability and privacy. New research also combines federated learning, smart contracts, and consent mechanisms, but few attempt to adequately address the complexity of genomic data privacy, actual-world scalability, or data protection regulations compliance. We present Secure Chain, a decentralized, privacy-enhancing infrastructure for genomic data sharing with security. By drawing on blockchain, zero-knowledge proofs (ZKPs), off-chain storage (e.g. IPFS), and homomorphic encryption, the system provides confidentiality, verifiability, and scalability. The goal here is to compare this hybrid architecture’s performance on parameters such as security, computational cost, and query response time with full compliance with law (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act [HIPAA] and General Data Protection Regulation [GDPR]). By comparative outputs, the framework shall prove that combining ZKPs and blockchain provides an optimal trade-off between privacy and efficiency in making Secure Chain a feasible, practical solution for safe, regulation-compliant genomic data exchange.

M. Tishehyar, Sh. Shirkhani

Türkiye, the strategic bridge between Asia and Europe, has a unique geopolitical position that encourages cooperation with neighboring and regional partners. The purpose of this study is to identify the key transport corridors in Türkiye using the SWOT model and evaluate the potential of these routes. The purpose of this research is to discover the current transportation and communication capacities of Türkiye and how they are useful for neighboring countries and Central Asia. This study examines strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats to address challenges and uncover opportunities.Issues such as lack of budget, imbalance in energy transfer and political instability of neighboring countries have affected the country and make it face challenges. But the ports of Türkiye and the favorable geopolitical position of Türkiye, as well as the presence of extensive airline lines and important airlines company such as Turkish Airline, in this country, is a significant potential for commercial and economic growth in the transportation sector. If the challenges are resolved and attention is paid to the opportunities and privileged positions of Türkiye and the countries of Central Asia, they will be able to benefit from cooperation. Key words: Türkiye, Transportation Corridors, Energy, SWOT model, Central Asian Countries.

Balakrishnan Pillai, Tariku J. Beyene, Guson Kang et al.

Albert Marti, Ramon Bastida-Vialcanet, Frederic Marimon

Purpose: Sustainability and ESG criteria are gaining more and more relevance, and the insurance industry is playing a relevant role in the sustainability transition. Therefore, this study aims to review existing academic literature on ESG criteria in the insurance industry. Specifically, it addresses the determinants in three objectives: First, analysing the focus on sustainability considering the three dimensions of the ESG framework: environment, social and governance; the second one, focusing on the relevant topics in the insurance industry involving the ESG criteria. And finally, identifying the main gaps and point out new research lines. Design/methodology: The research was conducted through a systematic literature review considering published articles of Web of Science and Scopus. Originality/value: Although the insurance industry has a very relevant weight into the economy and the society, and it plays a key role in promoting the transition to a low-carbon economy, we noticed that there are not many scientific articles on this subject. Findings: Findings contribute to the body of literature on sustainable finance, providing a new and complete overview about how ESG criteria implementation has been approached in the insurance industry: mapping research streams, analysing the ESG approach, and identifying research gaps in this domain. Practical implications: This article wants to provide a broader and a more structured knowledge about ESG criteria implementation, and to help managers and insurance companies to move forward with sustainability strategies, and to identify the future lines of research. Social Implications: Business sustainability aims to combine market logic with social welfare logic, but we have found little activity on how insurance companies develop the social dimension within the ESG perspective, as a way to influence the community by promoting equal practices, access to education, etc.

H. Aaron

Thi Phuong Thao Tran, Ngoc Minh Luu, Thi Tra Bui et al.

Abstract Background Physical activity (PA) changes throughout an individual’s life, but the association between such changes and cancer risk seems to be overlooked in the literature. Thus, this study aimed to examine the association between the trajectories of PA frequency and cancer incidence among middle-aged Korean adults. Methods A total of 1,476,335 eligible participants (992,151 men and 484,184 women) aged ≥40 years from the National Health Insurance Service cohort (2002–2018) were included. Assessment of PA frequency was a self-reported measure, based on the question: “How many times per week do you perform exercise that makes you sweat?”. PA frequency trajectories (i.e., trajectory classes of change in PA frequency) from 2002 to 2008 were identified using group-based trajectory modeling. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to assess the associations between the PA trajectories and cancer incidence. Results Five PA frequency trajectories over 7 years were identified: persistently low (men:73.5%; women:74.7%), persistently moderate (men:16.2%; women:14.6%), high-to-low (men:3.9%; women:3.7%), low-to-high (men:3.5%; women:3.8%), and persistently high (men:2.9%; women:3.3%). Compared with persistently low frequency, maintaining a high PA frequency was associated with a lower risk of all cancers (Hazard ratio (HR) = 0.92, 95%CI = 0.87–0.98) and breast cancer (HR = 0.82, 95%CI = 0.70–0.96) among women. There was a lower risk for thyroid cancer among men in the high-to-low (HR = 0.83, 95%CI = 0.71–0.98), low-to-high (HR = 0.80, 95%CI = 0.67–0.96), and high PA trajectories (HR = 0.82, 95%CI = 0.68–0.99). There was a significant association between moderate trajectory and lung cancer in men (HR = 0.88, 95%CI = 0.80–0.95), in both smoking and non-smoking men. Conclusion Long-term persistent high frequency of PA as part of the daily routine should be widely promoted and encouraged to reduce the risk for all cancer development in women.

Petr Zeman

Until causal prophylaxis is available, the avoidance of ticks and personal protection provide the best insurance against contracting a tick-borne disease (TBD). To support public precaution, tick-activity forecasts (TAFs) based on weather projection are provided online for some regions/countries. This study—aimed at evaluating the efficacy of this preventative strategy—was conducted between 2015 and 2019, and included two countries where TAFs are issued regularly (Czech Republic, Germany) and two neighbouring countries for reference (Austria, Switzerland). Google Trends (GT) data were used to trace public concern with TAFs and related health information. GTs were compared with epidemiological data on TBD cases and tick bites, wherever available. Computer simulations of presumable effectiveness under various scenarios were performed. This study showed that public access to TAFs/preventive information is infrequent and not optimally distributed over the season. Interest arises very early in midwinter and then starts to fall in spring/summer when human–tick contacts culminate. Consequently, a greater number of TBD cases are contracted beyond the period of maximum public responsiveness to prevention guidance. Simulations, nevertheless, indicate that there is a potential for doubling the prevention yield if risk assessment, in addition to tick activity, subsumes the population’s exposure, and a real-time surrogate is proposed.

Clare Boothroyd, Sujata Kar

Motion: For NIL Motion: Against In my opinion this is a very radical approach to managing women’s fertility. Women need ethical, scientific, practical, and doable advice from us as fertility consultants. We shall fail in our duties if we do not give them evidence based yet socially and personally relevant information. My points against egg freezing as a universal policy are as follows: 1.False sense of security. This by far is the most important reason. Women cannot and should not consider frozen eggs like an insurance policy, which they can use when and where they need. 2.Ethical reasoning suggests such a policy might put pressure on women affected reproductive autonomy. They must plan themselves when, where, how and with whom they wish to bear a child. 3.Such a policy may bring about socioeconomic disparities in the society as not all will have access or afford the cost of egg freezing. 4.Cost of the procedure, long-term freezing then IVF/ET will be very substantial and will put burden on a young upcoming struggling with career woman. 5.Healthcare resource diversion/allocation will be significant, with so many other more important women’s healthcare issues at hand. 6.Normalizing delayed childbirth by way of egg freezing could have massive changes in the demography of the society, also psychological pressure in women in follow this principle leading to regrets later in life. In the face of these issues, it might be more beneficial to focus on policies that support women to have children when they feel ready–whether that is at a younger or older age—rather than encouraging them to delay childbearing via egg freezing. This could include parental leave policies, affordable childcare, flexible work arrangements, and ensuring access to fertility treatments for those who need them. Not only policy, but research targeting assisted reproductive technologies aimed towards improving IVF success rates, ovarian rejuvenation, stem cell treatment etc. Will go a long way to satisfy reproductive needs of women of all age groups.

Sophia Leduc, Maxim De Schepper, François Richard et al.

Abstract Liver is the third most common organ for breast cancer (BC) metastasis. Two main histopathological growth patterns (HGP) exist in liver metastases (LM): desmoplastic and replacement. Although a reduced immunotherapy efficacy is reported in patients with LM, tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) have not yet been investigated in BCLM. Here, we evaluate the distribution of the HGP and TIL in BCLM, and their association with clinicopathological variables and survival. We collect samples from surgically resected BCLM (n = 133 patients, 568 H&E sections) and post-mortem derived BCLM (n = 23 patients, 97 H&E sections). HGP is assessed as the proportion of tumor liver interface and categorized as pure-replacement (‘pure r-HGP’) or any-desmoplastic (‘any d-HGP’). We score the TIL according to LM-specific guidelines. Associations with progression-free (PFS) and overall survival (OS) are assessed using Cox regressions. We observe a higher prevalence of ‘any d-HGP’ (56%) in the surgical samples and a higher prevalence of ‘pure r-HGP’ (83%) in the post-mortem samples. In the surgical cohort, no evidence of the association between HGP and clinicopathological characteristics is observed except with the laterality of the primary tumor (p value = 0.049) and the systemic preoperative treatment before liver surgery (p value = .039). TIL is less prevalent in ‘pure r-HGP’ as compared to ‘any d-HGP’ (p value = 0.001). ‘Pure r-HGP’ predicts worse PFS (HR: 2.65; CI: (1.45–4.82); p value = 0.001) and OS (HR: 3.10; CI: (1.29–7.46); p value = 0.011) in the multivariable analyses. To conclude, we demonstrate that BCLM with a ‘pure r-HGP’ is associated with less TIL and with the worse outcome when compared with BCLM with ‘any d-HGP’. These findings suggest that HGP could be considered to refine treatment approaches.

J. Newhouse, W. Manning, C. Morris et al.

Stephen A. Buser, Andrew H. Chen, E. Kane

M. Baily

Rishabh Mehta, Neha Mantri, Akhil D Goel et al.

Background: Across the globe, morbidity and mortality due to non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are major public health issues. The resulting concern is not just epidemiological but also about the economic consequences at the household level. Objective: To assess the various facets of out-of-pocket spending (OOPs) incurring on NCDs, namely hypertension and diabetes on patients attending a healthcare teaching institute in Rajasthan. Methodology: This cross-sectional study involves patients older than 18 years attending either out-patient clinics or who were admitted in the wards in a healthcare teaching institute for seeking care for diabetes or hypertension. Four hundred patients were chosen purposively and a pretested questionnaire was used to elicit information on incurring OOPs for NCDs. Descriptive statistics (like percentage, mean, median, and standard deviation) were calculated. Results: The study shows a significant expenditure other than out-patient, in-patient admissions, in the form of personal expenditure and loss of employment, amounting to 31.86 and 34.07%, respectively, of the mean total expenditure. In a quarter (3 months), the mean total expenditure is ₹9014.37 ± 6452.37. On average, the OOP expenditure per visit for an out-patient visit was ₹370.54 ± 237, while for the patients admitted to the hospital, the average OOPs was ₹1564.72 ± 1310.5. Conclusions: Health expenditures can contribute toward the impoverishment of many segments of the community. Undoubtedly, numerous people may tend to neglect the needed care for NCDs due to financial hurdles. Thus, there is a need to develop NCD care management centers with health insurance packages and make them accessible for all.

Jacek Mrozek, Piotr Gawliczek

Purpose: to present the main assumptions of Aristotleʼs Politics through the prism of the category of national security. Also, to reflect on the characteristics of political systems presented by Aristotle as the basis for the search for the essence of the functioning of the state, as well as an attempt to describe the perfect state (politeia). Method: the research was conducted using the following general scientific and special methods: the historical method during the study of the development of the political systems by Aristotle in chronological order; the method of analysis and synthesis related to the functioning of the state by Aristotle, abstract-logical method – for formulating theoretical generalizations and research conclusions. The results of the study: in the history of socio-political thought, Politics should be perceived as an important work that was the first to scientifically deal with the entire spectrum of issues of internal and external politics, tasks faced by rulers and citizens, goals of the state, and factors of its stability and development. Theoretical implications: deepened unique perception of the state, in line with the spirit of antiquity, in which the boundary between politics and ethics is not clearly drawn. It really matters, as seen from the current approaches to the roles the state is able or supposed to play. That’s why it is worth treating the research as a good starting point for analyzing the tasks of the state, including national security. Практична цінність дослідження: the results of the research can be considered, while analyzing the socio-political theory of Aristotle, as a supporter of the democratic system - looking for inspiration and parallel solutions for the political culture of current liberal democratic societies. Papertype: theoretical.

George Abuselidze, Nino Devadze

As travel and tourism became one of the sectors most affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, the concept of sustainable tourism development becomes inevitable. In order to achieve sustainable development, special value is assigned to stakeholder engagement at all the stages of the development, from the policy formation to the project implementation. The paper analyses the stakeholder perceptions towards the sustainable tourism development based on the example of Autonomous Republic of Adjara, elaboration of necessary directions for practical realization of their engagement in the decision-making process is concluded. The quantitative data needed for research purposes were collected through a structured questionnaire. Respondents' opinions were established on the current state of tourism in the Autonomous Republic of Adjara and the strategy of subsequent development of the industry. The results show that different groups of stakeholders have different perceptions towards different attitudes, some of which are expressed in critical positions. On the basis of research results, the views of different groups of stakeholders is set out to ensure the further steps in the sustainable development of tourism and the stakeholder engagement model in the planning process is proposed.

Timothy Besley

Alex Garivaltis

I derive practical formulas for optimal arrangements between sophisticated stock market investors (continuous-time Kelly gamblers or, more generally, CRRA investors) and the brokers who lend them cash for leveraged bets on a high Sharpe asset (i.e., the market portfolio). Rather than, say, the broker posting a monopoly price for margin loans, the gambler agrees to use a greater quantity of margin debt than he otherwise would in exchange for an interest rate that is lower than the broker would otherwise post. The gambler thereby attains a higher asymptotic capital growth rate and the broker enjoys a greater rate of intermediation profit than would be obtained under non-cooperation. If the threat point represents a complete breakdown of negotiations (resulting in zero margin loans), then we get an elegant rule of thumb: <inline-formula> <math display="inline"> <semantics> <mrow> <msubsup> <mi>r</mi> <mi>L</mi> <mo>*</mo> </msubsup> <mo>=</mo> <mfenced separators="" open="(" close=")"> <mn>3</mn> <mo>/</mo> <mn>4</mn> </mfenced> <mi>r</mi> <mo>+</mo> <mfenced separators="" open="(" close=")"> <mn>1</mn> <mo>/</mo> <mn>4</mn> </mfenced> <mfenced separators="" open="(" close=")"> <mi>&#957;</mi> <mo>&#8722;</mo> <msup> <mi>&#963;</mi> <mn>2</mn> </msup> <mo>/</mo> <mn>2</mn> </mfenced> </mrow> </semantics> </math> </inline-formula>, where <i>r</i> is the broker&#8217;s cost of funds, <inline-formula> <math display="inline"> <semantics> <mi>&#957;</mi> </semantics> </math> </inline-formula> is the compound-annual growth rate of the market index, and <inline-formula> <math display="inline"> <semantics> <mi>&#963;</mi> </semantics> </math> </inline-formula> is the annual volatility. We show that, regardless of the particular threat point, the gambler will negotiate to size his bets as if he himself could borrow at the broker&#8217;s call rate.