SHARING KEUANGAN SYARIAH

Saturday, January 20, 2024

 

Innovative Synergy of Insurance and Takaful

Ely Aswita[1]

Associate of the Islamic Insurance Society (AIIS)

 

Abstract

This study aims to identify and describe the innovative Synergy of Insurance and Takaful. This study uses a qualitative, descriptive, literature-based method to describe innovative synergy of Insurance and Takaful. This method is appropriate for reviewing conditions and phenomena by information and data drawn from an existing condition. At the same time, the qualitative method is used to analyse the achievement of the innovative synergy and the supporting factors by conducting interviews with informants from company where has been implemented the Innovative synergy of Insurance and Takaful. Research and surveys were taken in a Family Takaful operator in Malaysia, which conducted an innovative synergy with the holding Insurance company in Malaysia. The study results, shows that Takaful can be an engine of growth of Insurance and become one of the main drivers for the Insurance business. How to make both grow with their uniqueness. Based on data from the Indonesian Financial Services Authority or Otoritas Jasa Keuangan, OJK 2022, Takaful Life Assets in Indonesia in 2022 has a portion of 5.6% compared to the total assets of Life Insurance in general. Meanwhile, Takaful General Insurance has a market share of 3.7%. It is powered by 15 Takaful Life and Takaful Reinsurance companies Full Pledged and 43 Takaful and Takaful Reinsurance in the form of a Takaful Business Unit. For years, the 5% portion was hard-pressed to move towards a better number Some innovative synergies are needed to make both Takaful and Insurance grow with their uniqueness. Leveraging with sharing service model on the distribution and operations is one of the Innovative synergies of Insurance and Takaful. Strategic initiatives to widen distribution reach and enhance operational efficiency and infrastructure capabilities with integrated quality, regulatory and financial oversight framework will strengthen the synergy. Growth trajectory will be founded on propelling Takaful to a better portion.

 

Keyword: Takaful, Synergy, Insurance, Innovative, leveraging.

 

 1.    Introduction

 The regulation regarding the Separation of Takaful Units of Insurance Companies and Reinsurance Companies No.11/2023 issued by Indonesia Financial Services Authority (OJK) aimed to strengthening, competitiveness structure, and creating more effective and efficient business operations of Takaful industry in Indonesia.

This research is a relatively new field that has emerged from initiations and ideas for how to innovate and maximize the synergy between insurance and Takaful to create more effective and efficient business operations. Currently, Insurance and Takaful most likely have different products as well as marketing activities such as Contests or Rewards. Only a few people know the uniqueness of Takaful, and Takaful products seem not favourable. Data published by OJK on November 22, 2022 (OJK National Survey of Financial Literacy and Inclusion in 2022) shows the Islamic financial literacy index of the Indonesian people is 9.14 percent in 2022. Meanwhile, the Islamic financial inclusion rate is 12.12 percent in 2022. Low takaful market penetration, low marketing promotion and education, less innovative in products and services, limited knowledge of takaful business are reasons why Takaful did not grow as expected (Nugraheni & Muhammad, 2019). Innovative synergy of Insurance and Takaful can be a solution to reduce the gap. There are also some results of the previous researcher mention that Shared Services Center (SSC) is a strategy and business model used by companies in increasing the role of support functions to have competence and high technical mastery in helping work processes that are routine, repetitive, and high volume (Simon Mingay, Frances Karamouzis, 2018). SSC encourages companies to be more competitive by reducing costs, increasing efficiency, and having clear and measurable service management standards. Competitive advantages of shared services are created by the existence of a flexible and elastic structure, emphasizing the main activities and reconfiguring supporting activities. (Eldhini Viona 2019)

 1-1 Objectives

This paper aims to examine some previous work and propose a new method for Innovative synergy of Insurance and Takaful. The Objectives of the Synergy of Insurance and Takaful are to accelerate Takaful business growth, to drive cost efficiency, to have same service quality with Insurance and to make Takaful as the engine of growth Insurance through its distribution channel and become main driver to Insurance business. The innovative synergy of Insurance and Takaful will deliver economic growth, drive cost efficiency and by sharing service or leveraging model offers greater opportunities.

 1-2 Methodology

A Management Strategic Theory were carried out to find out Innovative Synergy of Insurance and Takaful. This study uses a qualitative, descriptive, literature-based method to describe innovative synergy of Insurance and Takaful. This method is appropriate for reviewing conditions and phenomena by analysing information and data drawn from existing condition. At the same time, the qualitative method is used to analyse the achievement of the innovative synergy and the supporting factors by conducting interviews with informants from company where has been implemented the Innovative synergy of Insurance and Takaful.

 1-3 Problem Definition

By regulation of POJK 11-year 2023, Insurance Company is obligated to separate its takaful units, and completed not later than December 31, 2026, therefor, company should have an initiative on how new takaful companies are efficient, have competitiveness structure, and low-cost business operations. A challenging problem that arises in this domain is how to make an Innovative Strategy for Insurance and Takaful, which may effectively grow both Takaful and Insurance.

 1-4 Literature Gaps

There has been less previous evidence that provides solutions or further exposure on how to initiate an innovative strategy of Insurance and Takaful. This paper is written to explore and describe how the Innovative strategy of Insurance and Takaful can be a solution to growing business together. Based on Indonesia Financial Services Authority Regulation (POJK) No. 11 year 2023, the Takaful Unit is obliged to separate from its parent company. The Spin-off Takaful Unit must be completed on December 31, 2026, at the latest. Defines a spin-off as a divested “company” in which division of the company becomes an independent company, and new shares of the company is distributed to the shareholders of the company” (Reuters 2021). Based on POJK 11-year 2023, The company is required to separate the Takaful unit if Takaful Unit Assets has reached at least 50% (fifty percent) of the total value of the parent company and if the Takaful Unit equity has reached IDR 100 Bio (One hundred billion rupiah).

Some previous studies of separation Units from its parent company or spin-off Islamic banks are Al-Arif et al., 2020; Pambuko, 2019; Sihombing & Yahya, 2016; Trinugroho et al., 2021. The difference between this research and previous research is about the research objects. This research object is focused on how to make an Innovative synergy of insurance and takaful, which explores some methodologies of activities, synergy, and cooperation between Insurance and Takaful. This research aims to prove how the innovative synergy of Insurance and takaful works to grow business.

 2.    Basic Concept

 This paper adopted a Management Strategic Theory, a theory of supposition, proposition or a system of ideas intended to explain the origin, evolution, principles, and application of strategic management to achieve company’s goal and objectives. (Omalaja, M.A., Strategic management Theory, EA 2011, Vol. 44, No. 1‐2, 59‐77)

This paper is written based on the experience of author’s working visit to one of Family Takaful Operator in Malaysia, where company has done some Innovative strategy of Insurance and Takaful, not only in business and operational process but also in sales and marketing.

This paper describes an Innovative Synergy between one of Family Takaful Operator and Holding of Insurance Company in Malaysia, how the business model between Insurance and Takaful works and understands leveraging model Insurance and Takaful. Several works have shown that some problems can be overcome by using the Leveraging Model as an innovative synergy of Insurance and Takaful. Below is the Business Model on how the Innovative Synergy of Insurance and Takaful works.

2-1 Takaful Business Model

Innovative synergy of Insurance and takaful can be started by creating a Target Operation Model (TOM) to describe of desire state of the operation model of an organization. Develop plan for managing change in ownership, identify issues and challenges, detailed plan to achieve synergistic benefits and comply with regulatory requirements, execute the plan, and ensure immediate control.

By using Target Operational Model will defines how an organization will meet its business objectives, it is outlining how various element like process, technology, governance, and people should interconnect, interact to deliver value. TOM also provide transparent and comprehensive blueprint for translating strategic objectives into operational capabilities, ensuring alignment across the organization’s ecosystem (Capstera 2023).

Family Takaful Operator (FTO) is creating a Target Operating Model (TOM) to descript of the desired state of the operation model of an organization. In this case, they decided that Holding Insurance Company (HIC) as a product manufacture as well as a distributor and service provider.

 

 Benefits of TOM in this case are customer-centric focus, sustainable cost reduction, agility, nimbleness and simplicity for growth and decision making, simplification of structure, positioning IT as an enabler rather than a cost and maintenance of operational excellence.

 

Key success factor:

·        Communication strategy to stake holder.

·        Governance strategy to ensure that all activity meet regulatory requirement.

·        IT strategy to support business processes efficiently and effectively through an outsource model including Business Continuity Management.

 

2-2 Outsource Takaful to Insurance

The concept of outsourcing came from the American terminology “outside resourcing”, meaning to get resources from the outside. The term was later used in the economic terminology to indicate the use of external sources to develop the business, which typically were using their internal resources (Victor-Adrian Troaca- 2012).

Family Takaful Operator (FTO) outsourced to Holding Insurance Company (HIC) based on core and non-core activity.

        FTO provides business rule (SOP & SLA) for each function that are outsourced.

        All functions that are outsourced are subject to regulatory approval.

Functions those are outsourced to Insurance will make positive impact to TFO, such as costs reducing, Increased efficiency, Increasing profits, scalability, improved quality, and risk mitigation strategies.

 


Key responsibilities and methods of exercising governance:

JSC Meeting: Facilitate discussions on strategic direction & escalated issue’s  Resolutions.

Overall Monitoring: Implement RIGHT governance mechanism and Assurance of complete benefit realization across all outsourced functions.

Outsourcing Review: Review applicability of scope & services, review appropriateness of charging mechanism, ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.

 

2-3 Leveraging by Sharing Service Model

Shared Services Center (SSC) is a strategy and business model used by companies in increasing the role of support functions to have competence and high technical mastery in helping work processes that are routine, repetitive, and high volume (Simon Mingay, Frances Karamouzis, 2018)

Some activities leveraging models adopted by Takaful Family Operator (FTO) and Holding Insurance Company (HIC):

        Takaful leverages on the distribution reach and operational scale of Insurance.

        Takaful target is embedded into the KPIs of every division in Insurance.

        Takaful offers similar products as Insurance to ease product training and speed up the process in of operation, Takaful products, may add some features that are specific to the Muslim market, such as Rider Hibah, Rider Waqf, Etc.

        Takaful fulfil a product manufacturer role with Insurance as the distributor & service provider.

        Takaful will leverage Insurance comprehensive distribution channels, operational scale, and functions’ capabilities.

        The following functions may be outsourced to Insurance with a Service Level Agreement in place Distribution, Operations, Customer Experience - Branch Services, Contact Centre, Customer Care, Legal, Marketing - Product Development, Communications, Brand & and digital Strategy, IT, Finance - operations, Procurement and Human Resource.

Takaful ensures that outsourced services performed by service providers are within SLA, the cost spent for the services is accurate and equitable, risk, compliance, and Takaful aspects are in check, service standards are aligned with their SOPs, effective tracking mechanisms are to be in place.

 

2-4 Distribution Governance

Takaful is obliged to do business performance review by doing Business Performance Monitoring, evaluate strategic Initiatives and reports, consolidated business database, and performance analysis. On the other hand, Takaful also evaluates Channel Management side such as business development activities, establish discussions on performance & and operational activities, cost management with distribution channels and sharing Takaful-specific training needs.

 

2-5 Takaful Outsourcing Fee Recovery Mechanism

Outsourcing Fee divided into 2 (two) categories, namely direct cost, due to an explicit amount of financial loss (i.e., wrongly paid claims) and indirect cost, due to substandard service levels (qualitative or quantitative measures) and it is segregated into 2 types:

1.      Qualitative Measure

Where service quality of the outsourced service is not met, the fees payable in respect of that item shall be reduced by such amounts as the JSC may deem appropriate.

2.      Quantitative Measures

Where the Service Level falls below 70% of its target, the fees payable in respect of that item shall be reduced by the corresponding percentage.



1.    Conclusion

 Leveraging model by sharing services is one of innovative synergy of Insurance and Takaful. The synergy may grow both Insurance and Takaful business. The Synergy has been well founded in propelling Takaful industry. Synergy of Insurance and Takaful provide greater growth opportunities and contribute positively to the prospects of both companies through greater synergy and effective execution of across-the-board strategies to lead the takaful industry development.​ Synergy of Insurance and Takaful will enable continued delivery of general business and will deliver ambitious change within the Company against the following outcomes.

·        Cost efficiency.

·        Efficient business model.

·        Integrated and seamless customer experience.

·        A developed workforce.

·        Leveraging service quality standard

·        A sustainable entity

·        Increase branding awareness for both Insurance and Takaful

·        Expand market segment especially Takaful business growth.

Doing Leveraging Model will provide same service standards, customers feel same and good service quality, create added value and Takaful Brand Image.

The leveraging model describe here has successfully enabled the Takaful Operator to become one of the fastest growing Takaful Operator. Within 10 years, it has established itself as one of the top Family Takaful Operator in Malaysia. 

 

On the other hand, the Holding Insurance Company as a shareholder of the takaful operator, get some benefit:

1.      By using the leveraging model to grow the takaful company the holding insurance company will be able to keep overall costs of insurance and takaful at a manageable level and grow the profits sustainably.

2.      The holding insurance company will be able to strategize the insurance and takaful business and ensure that there is no cannibalization of between the two.

3.      Customers will be able to enjoy the same level of service for both insurance and takaful which will enhance the overall brand loyalty of the insurance & takaful group.

 When comparing our results to previous studies, this paper has been explored an Innovative synergy of Insurance and takaful. This may also useful and become as a solution on how Insurance and Takaful grow their business together. Insurance can be act as a product manufacture, distributor, and service provider for Takaful. The advantage of using this innovative synergy is to manage customer centricity, customer-centric focus, sustainable cost reduction, agility, nimbleness and simplicity for growth and decision making, simplification of structure, positioning IT as an enabler rather than a cost and maintenance of operational excellence. Key success factor of doing synergy of Insurance and Takaful is communication strategy between Takaful and Insurance as well as their stake holder, outsourcing framework, governance strategy to ensure that all activity meet regulatory requirement, IT strategy to support business processes efficiently and effectively through an outsource model including Business Continuity Management.

 

References:

 Books:

[1] Arief et All., (2020). Kapita Selekta Metodologi Penelitian. Pasuruan Jawa Timur. CV Penerbit Qiara Media

[2] Nuryanto dan Zulfikar Bagus Pambuko. 2019. Eviews untuk Analisis Ekonometrika Dasar: Aplikasi dan Intrepretasi. Magelang: UNIMMA Press.

[3] Indonesia Financial Services Authority Regulation (POJK) No. 11 (2023). Separation of Sharia Unit of Insurance Company and Reinsurance Company; OJK

 

Journal Articles:

[4] Al-Arif, M. N. R., Mufraini, M. A., & Prabowo, M. A. (2020); Market Structure, Spin-Off, and Efficiency: Published online Jan,21, 2019, Pages 329-337

[5] Al-Arif, M. N. R., Nachrowi, N. D., & Nasution, M. E. (2018); Evaluation of the Spin-offs Criteria: A Lesson from The Indonesian Islamic Banking Industry. Journal of Islamic Economics and Business, 11(1), 85–104.

[6] Ash-Shidiqqi, E. A., & Laskarwati, B. (2022); Peran Asuransi dalam Pencapaian Sustainable Development Goals,Jurnal Ekonomi Dan Bisnis, 10(1), 513–516.

[7] Omalaja, M.A, & Eruola, O.A (2011) Strategic Management Theory: Concepts Analysis and Critiques in Relation to Corporate Competitive Advantage from Resources Based Philosophy. Economic Analysis, 44, 59-77

[8] OJK National Survey of Financial Literacy and Inclusion in 2022; Press Release The 2022 National Financial Literacy and Inclusion Survey

[9] Simon Mingay, Frances Karamouzis,(2018); What Is a Shared Services Center, What Is Its Purpose and Why Is That an Important Question? Gartner Research Nov 28, 2018.

[10] Trinugroho et al., (2021); Studies of Separation Units from its Parent Company or Spin-off Islamic Banks: April 2021.Research in International Business and Finance 56(4):101352

[11] Victor-Adrian Troaca (2012). Outsourcing The Concept; Academia.edu/9485464

[1] Ely.aswita@gmail.com (Corresponding Author)

 

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