Randy E. Dumm

A Dynamic Analysis of the Demand for Life Insurance

Prior research suggests that neither the choice to own life insurance nor the amount purchased is consistently related to the presence of children in the household. While these perplexing findings are based on a static framework, we alternatively examine life insurance demand in a dynamic framework as a function of changes in household life cycle and financial condition. Our results indicate both a statistically and economically significant relation between life events, such as new parenthood, and the demand for life insurance. We also provide new evidence in support of the emergency fund hypothesis: households in which either spouse has become unemployed are more likely than other households to surrender their whole life insurance.

Incentive Compensation and the Use of Contingent Commissions by Smaller Distribution Channel Members

Insurers operate in a complex market in which many firms compete for business. In this context, we examine the use of contingent commission compensation arrangements for independent agents and we explore whether the use of contingent commission compensation arrangements is justified for this segment of the distribution channel. We find that the various types of producers, distribution systems, and compensation structures, including contingent commission compensation, are a natural development of the competitive insurance marketplace that helps to make insurance available and affordable to millions of insurance consumers.

Developing a Framework for Financial Achievability of Department of Transportation Research and Development Projects

A financial analysis framework was developed to allow departments of transportation to assess research projects better. The framework recognizes that the research process contains multiple stages of decision making, and the framework details the information needed at each stage. The framework is described as it applies to each step in the research process: identifying potential research projects, evaluating research proposals, monitoring ongoing research projects, and evaluating final research reports. The framework also considers the decision to implement the research and its potential effects on employees. The application of the framework is illustrated with several Florida Department of Transportation research projects that involve the development of a multipurpose survey vehicle for evaluation of Florida roadways. This illustration allows for an explanation of each step in the framework with actual data from research reports and other internal or external sources. Although the framework is flexible and can be adapted for use in evaluating different types of projects, some judgment will be required when the specific inputs to the model are considered. Successful implementation of the framework will require focused data collection with emphasis on identifying the potential net benefits of research projects.