A thematic analysis of the perception of sustainability in the commercial property insurance industry on the basis of selected companies operating in Germany

Abstract

Sustainability is a key topic defining key challenges in this century. Individual contribution and common understanding are essential as trends start to redefine sustainable behaviour and establishing new goals. This is especially true in the commercial and industrial context, including commercial property insurance. This industry forms the basis, stabilizes the economy and secures industrial development. Industry peers, clients, and the supply chain start emphasizing the role of sustainability and build pressure on the commercial property insurance industry. Yet, ambiguity starts with the definition and common understanding of the used terms. This paper investigates and evaluates how commercial property insurance companies relate to sustainability. For this purpose, a thematic analysis of 19 German and international property insurance companies operating in Germany was performed. This analysis seeks to identify and evaluate common themes in the industry. In total, nine themes could be identified. The presented results offer some first insight and support on common patterns between sustainability and commercial property insurance.