INCEIF University Journals
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Developing a fair currency system
No full textPurpose
This study aims to evaluate the role of the prevailing currency systems in achieving (or departing from) the socio-economic objectives of a progressive and just society; i.e. featuring stability and equitable distribution of wealth.
Design/methodology/approach
After documenting historical developments in currency systems, the study reviews the Islamic perspective on the matter. Features of an ideal currency system are listed and then a critical evaluation of existing currency systems – fiat, banking and cryptocurrency – is undertaken.
Findings
It is found that existing currency systems – fiat, banking and cryptocurrency – are not compatible with the socio-economic objectives of a forward-looking, progressive society, which upholds transparency and justice as its core values. The study documents that Sharīʿah norms have no preference or dislike for any of the existing currency systems. Any prudent currency system compatible with the objectives of the Islamic financial system (i.e. stability and equitable distribution of wealth) is acceptable. A single international reserve currency (with country-specific legal tendering) is subject to the risk of destabilisation across global markets.
Practical implications
This paper recommends autonomy of central banking, the spending of seigniorage for the welfare of community members, development of asset-backed currencies (following ṣukūk structures), as well as multiple international reserve currencies and joining of hands by professionals and Sharīʿah scholars to design a currency system compatible with the Islamic financial system. This paper’s recommendation is against the adoption of cryptocurrency that lacks the backing of real assets.
Originality/value
The study contributes to the literature by evaluating the compatibility of existing currency systems in the achievement of socio-economic objectives of a welfare state which seeks to uphold justice and equitable resource distribution as core values in the financial system.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/IJIF-02-2019-002
A comprehensive appraisal of Sharīʿah governance practices in Malaysian Islamic banks
No full textPurpose
This study aims to empirically investigate the impact of the Sharīʿah Governance Framework (SGF) on improving Sharīʿah governance practices in Islamic banks in Malaysia and in addressing its related issues.
Design/methodology/approach
Data collection was carried out using a comprehensive questionnaire survey, which was developed primarily based on SGF-2010 and arguments in the literature. The sample for this study includes key functionaries in Sharīʿah governance including senior managers, Sharīʿah committee (SC) and Sharīʿah team members of Islamic banks in Malaysia.
Findings
The analysis of scores obtained from the questionnaire survey–including 41 items representing current significant issues in Sharīʿah governance–indicates that SGF-2010 has been successful in achieving its objectives and in addressing related issues. The results of the paired sample t-test show significant improvements in Sharīʿah governance practices in Malaysian Islamic banks in light of the aforementioned guideline by Bank Negara Malaysia.
Research limitations/implications
Findings of this research suggest that among the five essential pillars of Sharīʿah governance, namely, accountability and responsibility, independence, competence, confidentiality and transparency, most of the improvements and changes brought about by SGF-2010 are attributable to accountability and responsibility. However, there is still room for improvement in other components of the SGF, particularly with regard to transparency and the independence of the SC and Sharīʿah team.
Originality/value
Given the importance of Sharīʿah governance and considering recent endeavours to improve Sharīʿah-compliant culture among Islamic banks in Malaysia, this research is among the first attempts to empirically and comprehensively delve into this subject and evaluate its main issues by directly contacting key players in the Islamic banking industry and providing first-hand highlights. This research also compares the findings based on SGF-2010 with the requirements of SGF-2017 and Sharīʿah Governance Policy Document (SGPD-2019), which were released after this research was completed, where applicable.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/IJIF-09-2018-010
Internal control, risk and Sharīʿah non-compliant income in Islamic financial institutions
No full textPurpose
The existence of internal control for Sharīʿah-compliance promotes reasonable assurance that the Islamic financial institution’s (IFI’s) objectives are achieved in the following categories, namely, the effectiveness and efficiency of operations, the reliability of financial reporting and the level of compliance with applicable laws and regulations, as well as accounting and auditing standards. Sharīʿah non-compliant income (SNCI) is an important issue in IFIs’ operations. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to identify issues related to governance and internal control of SNCI in selected IFIs in Malaysia.
Design/methodology/approach
This research uses a case study approach to gather data on the measures of governance and risk management in relation to the internal control for SNCI in IFIs. Interviews were conducted with officers of the Sharīʿah and internal audit departments on internal control practices regarding SNCI.
Findings
Regulator’s guidelines on SNCI are simple and brief, lacking rigour in terms of governance, risk management and audit procedures. The section on SNCI is only a brief statement within the Bank Negara Malaysia’s Guidelines on Financial Reporting for Islamic Banking Institutions and also in the Operational Risk Integrated Online Network system operated by IFIs. Most of the respondents in the interviews suggested that there should be a proper guideline in determining the classification of SNCI. Second, although IFIs have established the purification account to manage SNCI, the real practice varies from one IFI to another. Third, although there are supposedly documented procedures established in relation to management and administration of SNCI, the following events still occur in practice, namely, no authorisation from the Sharīʿah Committee (SC) on various types of income channelled to the SNCI account; unauthorised use of SNCI for other purposes; SNCI not being reported in the annual financial reports; and distribution of SNCI prior to obtaining the SC’s consent. Fourth, there is an absence of Sharīʿah risk assessment conducted on operational risk by IFIs to identify any potential Sharīʿah non-compliant event.
Research limitations/implications
This research contributes to the importance of Islamic corporate governance theory and Sharīʿah risk management, as well as strengthening the case for reporting SNCI to shareholders. It also contributes to the body of knowledge on the capability of the management in managing the internal control system of IFIs’ SNCI.
Originality/value
A new internal control assessment matrix is proposed for Sharīʿah-compliance in IFIs.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/IJIF-02-2019-002
The nexus between Islamic banking and industrial production: Empirical evidence from Malaysia
No full textPurpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between Islamic banking and industrial production by decomposing Islamic financing (IF) into profit and loss sharing (PLS) and non-profit and loss sharing (non-PLS) modes of financing.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper applies the autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) approach and Toda and Yamamoto causality test on the monthly data set for Malaysia from 2010M1 to 2018M6.
Findings
The results reveal that IF plays an important role in boosting industrial production in the short run, as well as in the long run. Moreover, this positive effect mainly comes from non-PLS financing. In contrast, no significant relationship was found between PLS financing and industrial development neither in the short run nor in the long run.
Practical implications
The results have several policy implications. The existence of a time lag between the pooling of funds through PLS contracts and their channeling to industrial activities imply that Malaysian Islamic banks should maintain a long-term relationship with investment account holders. In addition, Islamic banks are called to increase the portion of PLS financing. The positive relationship between the industrial production index and IF (through non-PLS techniques) in the short and the long runs implies that policymakers in Malaysia should multiply their efforts to further expand the Islamic banking industry.
Originality/value
The originality of this study lies in decomposing Islamic banks’ financing into PLS financing (muḍārabah and mushārakah) and non-PLS financing to assess the contribution of each mode of financing in industrial development.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/IJIF-05-2018-005
Contra trading in Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad: a Sharīʿah and legal appraisal
Get PDFPurpose
The purpose of this paper is to analyze the practice of contra trading in Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad. Through a critical examination of the practice, it aims to discuss the issues from the angles of Sharīʿah and Malaysian common law.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper uses a qualitative research methodology. The information on the practice of contra trading is obtained through the Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad’s website and literature as well as series of meetings and discussions held with Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad. In comprehending and dissecting the Sharīʿah and legal issues, classical along with contemporary Sharīʿah literature including local and international Sharīʿah advisory bodies’ resolutions and standards have been referred to. The Sharīʿah analysis of these issues is further supported by reference to the statute and by-laws of Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad as well as other related legal literature.
Findings
This paper finds that contra trading involves a real sale and purchase of shares; the shares are not taken into the possession of the contra trader, neither physically nor constructively; the liability of shares is not transferred to the contra trader; though the practice of profiting in contra trading may contradict the prohibition on profiting without bearing liability, the permissibility of contra trading could still be argued from the contextual approach of public interest (maṣlaḥah) and needs (hājah); and contra trading is not gambling.
Research limitations/implications
This paper is limited in its analysis to only Sharīʿah and legal perspectives. It does not cover a thorough empirical and quantitative investigation that would measure the extent of the public needs for contra trading and the real benefits that contra trading brings about to the society in the long run. Such studies will further demonstrate whether contra trading deserves a relaxation from the strict Sharīʿah ruling thus affirming the issue of permissibility of contra trading. Moving forward, this paper recommends ways to address the predicaments faced in the contra trading practices as well important research areas that could be taken up in future.
Originality/value
This paper provides an in-depth investigation of the practice of contra trading at the Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad from the angles of Sharīʿah and common law.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/IJIF-08-2017-001
Generation Z’s Financial Behaviour: The Role of Islamic Financial Literacy
Get PDFPurpose — This research aims to examine the effect of family communication patterns on Islamic financial literacy (IFL) and risk tolerance of Generation Z (Gen Z) in Indonesia. It also examines the link between IFL, risk tolerance and financial behaviour. Finally, it highlights the moderating impact of IFL on the link between risk tolerance and financial behaviour.
Design/Methodology/Approach — This study used Muslim members of Gen Z in West Sumatra Indonesia who were born between 1995 and 2001 as the population. This study collected 668 responses in two months. After some preliminary tests, such as missing value and normality test, it employed 571 usable responses as the sample. Purposive sampling was conducted and variance-based structural equation model-partial least square (SEM-PLS) was employed as the method for data analysis.
Findings — The results show that family communication patterns, both conformity and conversation orientation, positively and significantly influence IFL and risk tolerance. IFL has a positive and significant impact on risk tolerance and financial behaviour. Surprisingly, IFL also moderates the link between risk tolerance and financial behaviour positively and significantly. Finally, risk tolerance significantly affects financial behaviour.
Originality/Value — This research makes three theoretical contributions. First, it provides a better understanding and a more complex model of the relationship between IFL with its antecedents such as family communication patterns and also with its consequences, including risk tolerance and financial behaviour. Second, it reveals that IFL affects Gen Z’s financial behaviour significantly—an aspect which is neglected in previous research. Third, it has expanded the scope of prior studies by addressing IFL as a moderator of the link between risk tolerance and Gen Z’s financial behaviour.
Research Limitations/Implications — Even though this study has carried out Harman’s single-factor analysis to anticipate a common method bias, it faces the common method bias problem due to the cross-sectional nature of the study. Secondly, the study focuses on Gen Z, which means that most of the respondents are students and their financial behaviour is still affected by the decisions of their parents.
Practical Implications — This study has some contributions for decision makers such as Otoritas Jasa Kewangan (Financial Services Authority) and management of Islamic banks and financial institutions. First, to increase Gen Z’s IFL, the decision makers have to educate the parents using the two-way communication orientation method. Second, the financial behaviour of Gen Z is influenced by financial literacy and risk tolerance; hence, decision makers such as the government and society have to educate Gen Z on IFL and inform them about financial risks which influence their risk tolerance when conducting financial activities.
Article Classification — Research pape
Islamic mobile banking smart services adoption and use in Jordan
No full textPurpose
The research identifies the predictors of Islamic mobile banking (IMB) smart services adoption and usage in Jordan.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on the Unified Theory of the Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) and the Unified Theory of the Acceptance and Use of Technology 2 (UTAUT2), an extended and modified model that encompasses perceived trust was developed. The sample comprised 358 customers from Islamic banks (IBs) in Jordan, and structural equation modelling was applied to examine data drawn from the sample.
Findings
The research framework presented 0.728% of the behavioural intention variance and 0.455% of the use behaviour. Results discovered that performance expectancy, perceived trust and hedonic motivation have significant relations with behavioural intention. The finding that effort expectancy has an insignificant effect and that social influence has a significant negative influence on behavioural intention was unexpected.
Research limitations/implications
The research has successfully verified the effect of performance expectancy, perceived trust and hedonic motivation on the customer's intention to use IMB smart services. However, the research data findings are based on the cross-sectional design.
Practical implications
The outcomes hold implications for marketing strategy makers who are responsible for promoting IMB smart services in IBs.
Originality/value
This research presents a deeper insight into IMB adoption and use. The research employed UTAUT and UTAUT2 as the baseline model and incorporates perceived trust to estimate behavioural intention. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this could be the first inquiry that examines IMB smart services adoption and use in Jordan.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/IJIF-04-2021-006
Adoption of the COSO methodology for internal Sharīʿah audit
No full textPurpose
Islamic financial institutions (IFIs) are required to establish a Shariīʿah Governance Framework (SGF) to strengthen their Sharīʿah-compliance mechanism and ensure that all relevant IFI regulations are in line with Sharīʿah rules and principles. Effective implementation of the Shariīʿah-compliance function will further promote stakeholder confidence, as well as the integrity of IFIs, by reducing Shariīʿah non-compliance risks. This study aims to examine the internal control framework developed by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) and explore the extent to which it can be incorporated in the Sharīʿah-compliance function of IFIs.
Design/methodology/approach
This study adopts a qualitative method of inquiry, utilizing the inductive method and content analysis to build comprehensive knowledge that will assist in exploring the framework of COSO methodology and the extent to which it can be adopted by IFIs.
Findings
The findings indicate that the existing frameworks of Sharīʿah governance, whether that of the Accounting and Auditing Organization for Islamic Financial Institutions (AAOIFI) or Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM), need to be further developed. Therefore, the adoption of COSO methodology in the internal Sharīʿah audit of IFIs, as suggested by AAOIFI, is not only possible but desirable. The study also finds that the COSO framework places the highest priority on risk management in that it makes it an integral part of the decision-making process in all the institution's activities. As a result, incorporating the comprehensive COSO risk management structure within the Sharīʿah-compliance function will enhance risk management in IFIs.
Originality/value
This study highlights the importance of the COSO internal control framework and examines its components, principles and the possibility of its adoption by IFIs. The findings of this study are expected to contribute to enhancing the Sharīʿah-compliance function of IFIs.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/IJIF-04-2020-007
Micro-takāful scheme for the protection of houses belonging to low-income groups in Malaysia
No full textPurpose
This study aims to assess the availability of micro-takāful (micro-Islamic insurance) schemes for the protection of houses belonging to low-income groups in Malaysia.
Design/methodology/approach
The study is conducted via desk research and interview discussions with representatives from takāful operators and key stakeholders.
Findings
Findings of the study confirm the importance of micro-takāful as a scheme for the protection of low-income groups. Micro-takāful schemes in Malaysia are, however, skewed towards the protection of health, life and family. The study finds little industry interest in the provision of micro-takāful schemes for the protection of houses for low-income groups. This represents another important area that takāful operators should take into consideration in their planning.
Research limitations/implications
The paper will help the Majlis Agama Islam Negeri-Negeri (MAINs), the regulator, takāful operators and government agencies such as Jabatan Wakaf, Zakat dan Haji (JAWHAR) to generate awareness and promote the offering of micro-takāful schemes for the protection of houses belonging to low-income groups in Malaysia.
Practical implications
In light of the limited availability of micro-takāful schemes for the protection of houses for low-income groups, this study argues that takāful operators should offer and promote them.
Social implications
The study is significant for fulfilling the need of low-income groups in Malaysia to protect their houses in the event of catastrophes so that they will not suffer significant losses. Rather, micro-takāful will assist them in improving their standard of living.
Originality/value
This study promotes the idea that it is essential to facilitate the low-income groups with appropriate coverage made available to them; micro-takāful schemes in protecting their houses and home contents, should any defined calamities occur. The outcomes are necessary for further development of micro-takāful models, specifically for the protection of properties. The developed model shall be proposed for application in the Malaysian takāful and housing industry to facilitate low-income groups to obtain protection for their household and home contents.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/IJIF-05-2021-009
Assessing the effect of organisational commitment on turnover intentions amongst Islamic bank employees
No full textPurpose
The research aims to test the links amongst Meyer and Allen's three levels of organisational commitment and the commitment's effect on reducing turnover intentions for Islamic bank (IB) employees during the lockdown caused by coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Design/methodology/approach
The research follows a variable-centred approach. Primary data are collected through a survey of 324 respondents comprising IB employees from three Arab countries, notably the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Lebanon and Oman. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and Cronbach's alpha test are conducted to test the construct validity, reliability and internal consistency of collected data. Descriptive statistics are used to interpret the data. Zero-order correlations, multiple regression analysis and Fisher's Z-test are applied to assess the interrelations of the various groups of variables and the determinants of turnover intentions.
Findings
Results show that there is a high level of significant intercorrelation amongst affective, normative and continuance commitments as well as amongst organisational commitment, individual differences and turnover intentions for IB employees from the three studied Arab countries. The results confirmed that turnover intentions are minimised in the presence of all three organisational commitment subscales and that individual differences amongst IB employees and organisational efficiency moderate the relationship between organisational commitment and turnover intentions.
Originality/value
There is no empirical work that has been done on the determinants of turnover intentions amongst IB employees during the lockdown. This is valuable to organisational behaviour scholars and practitioners who are interested in the role that organisational commitment plays in IB's employment behaviour.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/IJIF-01-2021-000