Digitization in the insurance sector - challenges in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Covid-19 crisis has accelerated the need for a digital transformation of insurance companies, which has shifted from being a strategic option to a necessity. Dynamic changes are transforming the insurance sector. Insurance market leaders who look boldly into the future have not resorted to observation alone and they take actions that allow them to be more customer-oriented, improve their offers, and increase operational efficiency. The aim of this article is to present the digitization processes taking place in the insurance sector in the face of the crisis caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and an attempt to answer the following research question: has digitization in the insurance sector taken the right direction and is a response to the needs of the insurance market participants (insurers, insured persons, intermediaries, etc.) as a consequence of the actual epidemic risk (Covid-19) and its consequences. In order to verify the research question and achieve the set goal, a critical analysis of the source literature, the analysis of trends and digital solutions in the insurance sector and the analysis of secondary data were performed. The study was based on data available in national and international reports, including data published by the Polish Insurance Association, OECD or the Geneva Association. The presented results of the considerations indicate that the use of new technologies and ubiquitous digitization have a great impact on customer expectations, which was particularly noticeable in the aftermath of the epidemic risk come true (Covid-19). The article highlights the changes introduced in the organization's processes (the importance of decision support systems in insurance activities), as well as supporting consumer users (the universality of social media, and the availability of speech and image recognition technology).

Instruments for Managing the EU Labour Market in the Face of the COVID-19 Crisis

Purpose: The article presents in a multifaceted manner the instruments used in the EU member states to mitigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in the labour market. Design/Methodology/Approach: Theoretical issues were examined on the basis of the analysis of available source literature on labour market economics and risk management. The research methods used in this paper include, critical analysis of the source literature, the method of comparative analysis and secondary data analysis. Findings: The article identifies actions taken by the EU member states to support the labour market and to develop a model of instruments intended for EU authorities and member states to reduce the risk of labour market disturbances during the COVID-19 pandemic. Practical Implications: The analysis and evaluation carried out in the article indicated that risk management on the EU labour market during the pandemic requires integrated protective measures. The results obtained may be used to formulate a long-term strategy for the EU labour market and programmes to counter the effects of the crisis. Originality/value: The issues as presented in the article concerning the instruments used to manage the EU labour market in the era of the COVID-19 pandemic have not been studied in Polish and foreign literature.

Mitigating Risk of the Tourism Sector in the European Union Member States During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Purpose: The article presents, in a multidimensional perspective, the instruments applied in EU member states to mitigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in the tourism sector. Design/Methodology/Approach: Research conducted in the article was based on secondary data. Research methods applied in the paper include critical review of literature, method of comparative analysis and secondary data analysis. Findings: The outcome of the article is the identification of actions undertaken in EU member states to support the tourism sector and original elaboration on the scheme of instruments used by EU authorities and countries in order to limit the epidemic risk in tourism. Practical Implications: The analysis and evaluation carried out in the article demonstrated that risk management in EU member states' tourist sectors at the time of pandemic requires integrated protective measures. The results may be used to develop a long-term strategy for the EU's tourism sector and programmes for prevention of crisis outcomes in other sectors of the economy as well. Originality/value: In the perspective presented herein, issues related to the epidemic risk in the tourism sector, discussed in the article, have not been the subject of scientific analyses in domestic or foreign literature.