Title:
INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE CHOICE AMONG INSURANCE COMPANIES IN KENYA

Authors:
Rogers Kinoti M’ariba, Dr. Agnes Njeru, Kenya

Abstract:

The choice of the investment management structure to adopt is a critical first step in the investment management decision making process. Using a mixed methods approach, this paper explores the influence of investment efficiency and firm size as possible antecedents of this investment decision making among insurance companies in Kenya. Investment management structures were dichotomized into in house management and delegation. The study considered the forty six (46) companies licensed to undertake insurance and reinsurance business in Kenya in 2017. Primary data was collected from the respondents using a self-administered questionnaire while secondary data was collected from regulatory filings and company financial statements. Data processing and analysis was undertaken using a binary logistic regression model in STATA. Results show that in house investment management structure was more prevalent than delegation. Investment efficiency and firm size were found to have a positive influence over firms in favour of delegation. Based on this research it is recommended that insurance companies pay close attention to their investment efficiency needs while taking full cognition of their size as they choose their investment management structures.