Department of Finance
Date of this Version
2004
Document Type
Article
Citation
Journal of Actuarial Practice 11 (2004), pp. 5-42
Abstract
This paper considers product innovation in insurance and other financial services, an area where actuaries have an important role. It considers the proposition that there is no unique formula for success and that what works well in one situation may not work well in another. It first examines the sources of ideas for new products and, in particular, the role played by consumers, which is generally regarded as weak. It then looks at how ideas are implemented, with particular importance attributed to cross-functional teams and the formality of the product development process. Then it considers how success is measured (with the indirect as well as direct benefits of a development) and the factors that may distinguish success from failure. The paper concludes that there is no unique formula for success, but that there are some shared characteristics of firms that are good innovators; it is comforting to find that there are guidelines that firms can follow to improve their chances of success.
Included in
Accounting Commons, Business Administration, Management, and Operations Commons, Corporate Finance Commons, Finance and Financial Management Commons, Insurance Commons, Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods Commons
Comments
Copyright 2004 Absalom Press