An Examination of Profitability in Spatial Markets: The Case of Life Insurance Agency Locations
研究寿险代理机构选址对盈利性的影响，发现信息障碍和满意决策导致持续盈利的市场利基，盈利性与保单数量、规模及城市增长正相关，与人口规模负相关。
This article analyzes the effect of location on the profitability of life insurance agencies, where profitability is measured by the amount of output per unit of expenses. The model posits that satisficing and spatial information barriers lead to persistently profitable market niches. The results reveal significant variation over metropolitan areas in the production, cost, and profitability of life insurance field offices. Profitability is positively related to the number and size of policies and growth of the metropolitan area and negatively related to population size. Reduction of overhead via a lower number of clerical positions generally contributes to profitability. Because of information barriers, specific niches exist for agencies so that it is worthwhile for firms to invest in a systematic analysis of locational and demographic factors when planning distribution systems.