This study aims to investigate the impact of the market share, according to the SCP hypothesis, technical efficiency, according to the ES hypothesis, and other control variables on the performance of insurance companies in Jordan. The study used panel data for 22 insurance companies operating in Jordan during 2000-2016. The authors used the Herfindahl-Hirschman Index (HHI) and the concentration ratio (CR) to evaluate the Market structure of the insurance sector, Also employed market share as a proxy of the SCP hypothesis while efficiency score estimated using the DEA technique to proxy for the ES hypothesis, control variables were (Reinsurance, leverage, and Underwriting risk), while the dependent variable, performance was measured as return on assets. The model estimated using Random Effect GLS. The study found that the insurance market in Jordan is highly concentrated, where a few insurers control a large market share of premiums. Also, the result supports the (SCP) hypothesis for the insurance market in Jordan, and Reinsurance, leverage, and Underwriting Risk have a negative relationship with ROA. This is the first study -to the best author's knowledge -to test SCP and ES hypothesis in the insurance sector in Jordan.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the technical efficiency in the Jordan insurance market and examine the internal and external determinants that appear to affect the technical efficiency of the insurance companies. Design/methodology/approach The study used panel data for 22 insurance companies operating inside Jordan over the period 2000–2016. The author used the data envelopment analysis to evaluate the technical efficiency scores, slacks-based and logit models to examine the efficiency determinants. Findings The study found that there is a slight development of technical efficiency for the Jordanian insurance companies during the study period. In addition, there is a substantial efficiency difference among insurance companies each year, and there is a variation at the level of efficiency for each company in each year. The results also showed that owners’ equities are among the most important internal determinants of companies’ efficiency, and there is a significant correlation between type, size and return on assets of the insurer and its efficiency. Originality/value This study provides insurance management with relevant indicators that would guide them to make efficient use of the resource base. The period of study also covers the period following the adoption of the insurance law and the issuance of most of the legislation related to the work of insurance companies.

This study aims to evaluate the technical efficiency in the Jordan insurance market, and examine the internal and external determinants that appear to affect the technical efficiency of the insurance companies. The study used panel data for 22 insurance companies operating inside Jordan over the period 2000-2016. Data Envelopment Analysis used to evaluate the technical Efficiency Scores, Slacks based and Logit models to examine the efficiency determinants. The study found that there is a slight development of technical efficiency for the Jordanian insurance companies during the study period. In addition, there is a substantial efficiency difference between insurance companies each year, and there is a variation at the level of efficiency for each company in each year. The results also showed that owners' equity are among the most important internal determinants of companies' efficiency, and there is a significant correlation between type, size, and return on assets of the insurer and its efficiency. This study provides insurance management with relevant indicators that would guide them to make efficient use of the resource base. The period of study also covers the period following the adoption of the Insurance Law and the issuance of most of the legislation related to the work of insurance companies.

Purpose -This paper explores empirically the determinants of the bilateral trade balance for Jordan-Turkish economy, and the impact of the free trade agreement between Jordan and Turkey on the Jordanian-Turkish trade balance. Methodology -The study used Autoregressive Distribution Lag (ARDL) model to estimate the long run relationship between Jordanian-Turkish bilateral trade balance and its determinants during the period from 1978 until 2017. Findings -The result of the analysis found that the real effective exchange rate has a positive effect on the trade balance in the long run, and negative effect on the trade balance in the short run, while the relative money supply and relative GDP have a weak effect on the trade balance in the short and long run. Also, the result points out that the impact of the free trade agreement is insignificant on the trade balance in the long run, which supports the position of the Jordanian government, which has revoked the work in this agreement. Conclusion -The most important policy implication to be concluded from these empirical findings is that devaluation of Jordan Dinar against Turkish Lira can be used to accomplish an improvement in the trade balance of Jordan against Turkey. However, increasing the relative money supply or relative income will not achieve the desired goal.