https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/43891 2026-04-08T00:12:01Z 2026-04-08T00:12:01Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/43973 2022-09-26T08:30:32Z 2019-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: The attitudes and approaches to risk management among Gozitan SMEs within the construction and financial services sectors Abstract: Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) form a substantial portion of the Maltese economy. Such enterprises are typically family businesses. While SME business operators may be thorough in managing their business, one may be concerned about the risks present in such undertakings. Research on risk management within the context of SMEs is limited, especially in the Maltese context. This research aims to assess SMEs of the like, on their knowledge of risks present to their enterprise or industry. Due to time constraints, this study will be focusing on SMEs operating the Construction and Financial Services sector in the Gozitan economy; two sectors which contribute substantially to the Gozitan economy as a whole. This study shall therefore attempt to gain an understanding of the SME ‘risk universe’ by analysing the different risks which affect SMEs. Further research aims to analyse the effectiveness of practices in place, if any, to mitigate risks present. Are SMEs too risk averse when it comes to decision making? Or do such entities take decisions regardless of risks involved? This will enable the researcher to understand how risk management is currently implemented by SMEs pertaining to these sectors. Thorough research should provide further insight on how SMEs manage their risk and possibly lead to formalized knowledge on the managing of risks in such environments. Finally, this study aims to understand the attitudes and associated risks which mould the business culture with respect to risk and risk management within the Construction and Financial Services sectors in the Gozitan economy. SMEs which make use of risk management practices should be able to better manage their limited resources to achieve the best possible returns on their investments. Description: B.COM.(HONS)INSURANCE&RISK MANGT.

2019-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/43972 2020-04-23T12:12:33Z 2019-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: An analysis of risk preferences and insurance policies within the Maltese construction industry Abstract: The purpose of this study is to explore the risk profile of contractors and the insurance products used in order to mitigate against these risks. Existing literature on construction insurance was reviewed in order to identify gaps in knowledge while identifying similar practices undertaken abroad. However, with regards to insurance and construction as a risk management tool in the Maltese scenario, the literature is somewhat lacking. To this end, a number of face to face interviews were conducted with five major insurance companies in Malta, together with several construction firms, varying from micro to large companies, to collect the necessary data on risk and insurance policies, combining a mixture of quantitative questions with more qualitative, open responses. A number of key findings were elicited. Firstly, whereas the majority of construction companies’ believe that there are no differences between the Contractors All Risks (CAR) policies offered domestically, this was contradicted from the interviews carried out with insurance companies. The most common emerging risks are high rise buildings and lack of employees, which underscores a potential gap in contractors’ knowledge in this regard. Nonetheless, micro and small construction companies are generally satisfied with their CAR policies, with claims being a rarity, although for large companies, interviews revealed that they would prefer if certain endorsements are explained in depth to them. Lastly, although there is broad consensus among both construction firms and insurance providers with regards to the risk averse tendencies of contractors within the sphere of Health and Safety, both agree that significant risks are taken in terms of their overall business activities, which may signal the need to broaden the scope of CAR policies in the future, and may in turn also have an indirect impact on Health and Safety risks. These outcomes imply that changes need to be made, firstly to inform policy holders of the benefits, exclusions and conditions of policy and to improve the safety of employees on construction sites. This is to be done not in policy exclusions but through risk management techniques at the workplace. This study can be referenced by the present government, authorities and stakeholders, to make reforms in existing frameworks to adequately regulate breaches in safety conditions in Malta while also mitigating against wider emerging risks within the construction sector as a whole. Description: B.COM.(HONS)INSURANCE&RISK MANGT.

2019-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/43971 2020-04-23T12:05:33Z 2019-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Perceptions of the impacts that autonomous vehicles have on the insurance industry Abstract: This dissertation was set out to research how the new technology innovation of automation will influence all players in the motor insurance market. The objective was to cause awareness and come up with ideas and solutions to solve the issues currently associated with autonomous vehicles. This was accomplished through online research, questionnaires to the general public and interviews with industry experts by keeping the original research questions in mind. It was found that although autonomous vehicles have been made known to the general public for over a decade now, a good amount of people in the questionnaire, still were not aware of this phenomenon. This may be linked to Malta’s size, culture and how we always implement technology at a later stage than other countries do. Furthermore, people along with insurers are very sceptical on what these vehicles have to offer and are unconvinced how they can be operated on our roads. Besides the doubt, many people had an overall positive impression of these vehicles and think that they could be beneficial for Malta’s traffic and driving problems. All three insurers were in agreement with their opinions throughout most of the interview questions. They believe that motor insurance should not drastically change since there will still be the need to transfer risk in relation to cyber/hacking risks and liability issues. European legislation in relation to the Motor Insurance Directive has been functioning very well and the concept of ensuring efficient compensation to the victim of an accident should remain the same. The insurers appeared to be fully aware that these vehicles are fast-approaching but still felt that they will be adopted in Malta in the far long run. Notwithstanding this, they still feel like they should prepare for self-driving cars by attending various conferences and invest in research or start-up manufacturers abroad since insurers are accepting the fact that Malta has very limited resources to fully engage in testing and research by themselves. Description: B.COM.(HONS)INSURANCE&RISK MANGT.

2019-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/43925 2020-04-23T12:03:08Z 2019-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: A study of Maltese amateur athletes’ personality traits, risk behaviour and the uptake of sports insurance Abstract: This study delves into the willingness of Maltese Amateur Athletes’, their personality traits and risk behaviour to take up sports insurance. To determine the personality traits of the athletes, the author applied and analysed the Big Five personality traits known as conscientiousness, agreeableness, openness, extraversion and neuroticism. This dissertation further seeks to examine the position of sports associations and athletics clubs in Malta, and particularly, their perception towards sports insurance. To be able to arrive to the respective conclusions, an online questionnaire was distributed to athletes performing athletics to understand their willingness to take up sports insurance and if not, what impacts their decision. Furthermore, two structured interviews were conducted with an association and a club to collect data relating to their perception towards sports insurance. The questionnaires indicate that athletes who are extrovert, agreeable and conscientious are the most willing to undertake sports insurance policies. However, the majority of the respondents were not aware of the availability of a specific sports insurance policy across the Maltese Islands. The structured interviews, further showed that both the association and the club take insurance policies to cover facilities and equipment, as well as insure their athletes respectively. In conclusion, this enlightens insurance companies as to how the different personalities of athletes affect their willingness to undertake sports insurance coverage. Most importantly, insurance companies are in a better position to decide on what marketing strategies to use when advertising sports insurance policies. Description: B.COM.(HONS)INSURANCE&RISK MANGT.

2019-01-01T00:00:00Z