Alexander Bohnert

A Cluster Analysis of Pediatric Cancer Incidence Rates in Florida: 2000–2010

This study uses disease surveillance cluster analysis methods to identify clusters for the three most common pediatric cancers in Florida (brain tumors, leukemia, lymphoma). In addition to a univariate purely spatial analysis, a space–time analysis is done, followed by a nonparametric permutation test for space–time interaction. This is followed by a multivariate spatial analysis for the three pediatric cancer types together. The main findings include a significant spatial cluster for each of the three cancer types covered in this study, in addition to identifying two significant clusters for all pediatric cancer types combined.

Economies of scale in European life insurance

Purpose Due to the continuing low interest rate environment as well as the increase in acquisition costs, price transparency, cost transparency, and competition with banks, the cost of life insurance becomes increasingly important for customers, insurers, and shareholders. Against this background, the aim of this paper is to study the development of insurers’ economies of scale in regard to administrative costs for four of the largest European life insurance markets. Design/methodology/approach Our analysis on economies of scale is based on a comprehensive set of 477 life insurers in Germany, Italy, Spain, and the UK, yearly data between 2000 and 2014, and regression calculations that are based on 4,855 observations. Findings Our results show that economies of scale exist for all considered markets and for most of the considered years. However, the extent of economies of scale varies considerably across countries. Originality/value Overall, the existing academic literature on costs and corresponding econo...