Year: 1995
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to provide researchers,computer technologists, management and trainers with information concerning the current status and importance regarding computer skills for agents in the Taiwanese life insurance industry. In addition to identifying important computer skills for this population, this research investigated differences in perceptions of computer directors (major computer system developers), sales managers(major training providers), and life insurance agents(computer end-users) regarding the current status and importance of computer skills for life insurance agents. Survey instruments were developed through the literature review as well as through expert interviews and validations. Investigated samples include all 30 computer directors of member companies of the Taipei Life Insurance Association, 200 randomly selected members of the General Agents and Managers Association, and 400 randomly selected members of the Life Underwriters Association in Taiwan. A 55.2% usable return rate was reached. Based on the data analysis, 49 important skills were identified in 8 categories including basic computer skills, database management, spreadsheet, word processing, communication, presentation, computer-based training, and artificial intelligence. Using a five-point Likert Scale,the means for importance level were found to be between 3 (moderate) and 4 (fairly high): 3.29 from agents, 3.71 from sales managers, and 3.59 from computer directors. The mean for levels of current expertise were between 2 (low) and 3 (moderate): 2.38 from agents, 2.60 from sales managers, and2.46 from computer directors. One-way ANOVAs at the .05 level were used to detect the existence of differences of perceptions among the three groups. The Fisher's Least Significant Difference Procedure (three t-tests at the .01 level) was used for all significant ANOVAs found in previous stages to identify the significant differences between each two groups. The majority of significant differences, 28 out of 49 regarding importance level and 8 out of 49 regarding level of expertise, were found between sales managers and agents; 4 significant differences concerning importance level and 1 concerning level of expertise were found between sales managers and computer directors; only 4 items related to importance level were found significantly different between agents and computer directors. However, the ranking of both levels of importance and expertise showed more consensus between agents and sales managers than agents and computer directors. However, because of the difference in sample sizes, this finding should be interpreted with caution.
Author: En-Ming Tseng
Language: English
Subfield: Education
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2955426635