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This study aims to investigate the relative efficiency pattern of Jordanian banks during the period between 1998 and 2004.

The deterministic data envelopment analysis (DEA) as a quantitative approach was used to obtain the efficiency of individual commercial banks in Jordan.

The results of the DEA Charnes, Cooper and Rhodes model show an increase in bank efficiency in the entire period except in 2003 and 2004 where a decrease in bank efficiency was shown for few banks in the sample. The total efficiency scores suggest that the liberalisation programme has provided the anticipated efficiency gains. Most efficiency scores showed consistent increases after the introduction of the policy with the exception of few banks which have responded differently and shown decreased in efficiency. This may be taken to imply that the banks have responded differently to the new system. The analysis further shows that both assets utilisation and the labour factor had an adverse effect on bank efficiency, especially in terms of number of employees.

The effect of the Jordanian Government liberalisation programme may not be readily discerned in such a relatively short period of time, which may require that a longer time period elapses before this effect becomes noticeable.

The paper analyses the performance of Jordanian banks with regard to their efficiency.

The purpose of this paper is to shed light on the preferences of Malaysian banks' customers for Islamic banking attributes.

The paper uses mixed methodology. The quantitative approach consists of the collection of primary data through a self‐administered questionnaire distributed to 500 Islamic banks' customers in Malaysia. The data gathered were analysed using factor analysis as well as Friedman test. In parallel, qualitative approach was used, in forms of semi structured interviews with ten Islamic banks' customers. The results of both approaches were then reported accordingly.

The quantitative approach reveals that the preference for Islamic banking attributes in Malaysia is a combination of the quality of services offered by the Islamic banks, as well as the convenience associated with it. On the other hand, the qualitative approach revealed that choosing Islamic banks was mainly due to the religious motivation of the customers.

This paper is one of the few that has used a qualitative approach to study consumer preferences for Islamic banking attributes. Furthermore, the paper employs this methodology in the context of Malaysia, which enriches the studies done in this context and area.

The purpose of this paper is to examine the different motivational factors that lead to customers' Islamic bank selection decision in Pakistan. In particular, it aims to look into the importance of Shari'a compliance for Islamic banks' customers and thereby the potential risk of deposits withdrawal in case of violations of Shari'a principles.

The paper presents descriptive statistics and cross‐tabulation analysis based on data collected from 357 customers.

The findings reveal that Islamic banks' customers highly value Shari'a compliance in their banks and that non‐compliance with Shari'a principles leads to disgruntled customers. An interesting pronouncement is that if an Islamic bank is involved in repeated violations of Shari'a, the customers are inclined to switch their banks. Nonetheless, the findings reveal that Shari'a compliance is not the only satisfaction yardstick for Islamic banks' customers; they also expect their banks to be convenient, technologically advanced and provide security of their capital.

The paper has profound implications for Islamic financial institutions operating in Pakistan. Although Shari'a compliance is the most important factor that Islamic banks need to observe, they also need to be competitive with conventional banks.

The paper is a unique contribution to Islamic banks' selection criteria where the importance of Shari'a compliance and conventional bank patronage factors has been explored. The paper's has practical implications for Islamic banks' owners and regulators.

The Islamic banking system is gaining momentum. Many international conventional banks have started to open branches which operate in accordance with the Islamic Shariah principles in some Islamic countries. The Islamic banking system is expected to face strong competition not only from the Islamic banks but also from well‐established conventional banks offering Islamic products and services. In this study, an attempt is made to assess the degree of customer awareness and satisfaction towards an Islamic bank in Jordan. A sample 206 respondents took part in this study. The analysis of their responses revealed a certain degree of satisfaction of many of the Islamic banks facilities and products. The respondents expressed their dissatisfaction with some of the Islamic banks services. Although the respondents indicated that they are aware of a number of specific Islamic financial products like Murabaha Musharaka and Mudaraba, they show that they do not deal with them.

Customer satisfaction is a significant issue for most marketers. Previous research has identified various factors that determine customer satisfaction in retail banking sector in Western countries. The current paper reports findings from a survey, which looked into determinants of customer satisfaction in the retail banking in Pakistan. A total of 300 questionnaires were randomly distributed to customers of a specific bank in Pakistan. Results indicate that there was a strong relationship between service quality and customer satisfaction. There was, however, no relationship between customer satisfaction and tangible aspects of the service environment. The paper discusses implications for bank management.

Islamic banking is an emerging financial system in the contemporary world. Currently, it is found mostly in Islamic countries or in countries where OPEC oil revenues have been invested. Most of the research has therefore been oriented towards macro‐environment issues, ignoring the market‐oriented problems. The purpose of this paper is to determine the conditions under which Islamic banks can successfully compete with conventional banks by understanding customer attitudes towards Islamic banking products.

A sample of 250 respondents was taken from four cities of Pakistan to examine customer awareness of key products/services being offered by Islamic banks, usage of those services and customer satisfaction with the service delivery mechanism being used by pure Islamic banks and conventional banks with Islamic bank branches (IBBs). Data for this study were collected by using a structured questionnaire containing two sections, where section I contains ten statements using Likert scale, for assessing customer's preferred selection criteria for Islamic banks. These statements are developed based on past literature. Section II deals with the questions related to the social and demographic profiles of respondents.

Analysis of data indicated that most of the customers value product features and quality of service as major factors for making selection of Islamic banks, and give lesser importance to religious belief as influential factor in selecting an Islamic bank. Findings suggest that there is a lack of awareness about basic conventions of Islamic financing options among respondents and customers of both the pure Islamic banks and conventional banks with IBBs do believe that the bank's staff lacks ability to provide credible information about religious compliance of Islamic banking financial services.

The paper has practical significance for Islamic banking policy makers, for understanding the key behavioral and demographical dimensions of their customers and using these dimensions for effectively positioning Islamic banking financial instruments, developing policies; and articulating procedures to maximize customer satisfaction and to ensure better exchange of value.

The purpose of this paper is to review the attitudes, perceptions and knowledge of Islamic financial products and services.

A synoptic survey of empirical analyses about Islamic financial products and services and comparison with the literature on conventional financial services and products.

It was found that while religious conviction is a key factor in the use of Islamic finance, consumers also identify bank reputation, service quality and pricing as being of relevance. When selecting a financial institution's products and services, business firms usually employ criteria that are more conventional, such as the cost of finance, in their decision making. There is also interest among financial institutions in supplying Islamic financial products and services, but this is mitigated by complications with firm management and a lack of familiarity with business conditions. The concept of risk sharing with borrowers serves as a substantial barrier to most financial institutions engaging in Islamic methods of finance. Research limitations/implications – This survey is limited to work published in refereed journals, books and book chapters.

Need for further theoretical and empirical research on how religious convictions affect consumers in their financial decision making. In addition, most work on Islamic finance is in a single national context, international comparisons are required.

This paper is the only known empirical survey of attitudes, perceptions and knowledge of Islamic financial products and services. It provides guidance for future research in Islamic finance and serves as an aid for decision making by policymakers, consumer interest groups, business firms and financial institutions.

The purpose of this paper is to examine the direct and indirect moderation effects of demographic and socio-economic(s) factors on the adoption of Islamic banking in UAE.

Convenience sampling was done on the residents of Sharjah, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi. A closed-ended questionnaire with 30 items was designed and pre-tested before the start of the study. Path analysis and moderation testing were the main analytical approach. A total of 320 respondents completed the survey.

The research revealed that demographic and socio-economic(s) moderators may have direct and indirect moderation effects on the adoption of the Islamic banking in the UAE, which indicates the importance of these factors in the provision of Islamic banking products and services in the UAE.

This study further revealed that these moderators have huge practical implications for Islamic bank managers and marketers as they can exploit these demographics to enhance their market share in the UAE.

In UAE, minimal attention has been directed toward the role moderators would play in the criterion that individual investors would use in the adoption of Islamic banking products and services in a cosmopolitan environment that is experiencing competition from conventional banks.

An extensive review of the existing literature on the adoption of Islamic banking reveals that no empirical research has been undertaken to explore the role played by demographic and socio-economic(s) moderators in the adoption of Islamic banking in UAE and internationally. This study attempts to fill this gap.

The purpose of this paper is to examine the main factors that motivate customers to deal with Islamic banks particularly in a dual banking environment, like in the case of Malaysia. A discussion on factors relating to corporate social responsibility initiatives as part of potential customers' banking selection criteria is also included.

The paper presents primary data collected by self‐administered questionnaires involving a sample of 750 respondents from four different regions in Malaysia. The Islamic banking criteria ranking as perceived by the respondents are analysed using Friedman Test. To further explore the customers' understanding of the banking criteria, an exploratory factor analysis is employed.

This study reveals that the selection of Islamic banks appears to be predominantly a combination of Islamic and financial reputation and quality service offered by the bank. Other factors perceived to be important include good social responsibility practices, convenience and product price.

The empirical evidence of this paper affects two aspects; first, Islamic banks must offer quality services while maintaining its Islamic credential and reputation; second, Islamic banks should also embrace good customers services policies to reap its potential as a strategic tool to achieve competitive advantage, enhance reputation and secure customers allegiance. This research will be of interest to both incumbent and potential entrants into this niche market.

The paper reports findings from the first nationwide study carried out in the area of Islamic banking selection criteria.

The purpose of this paper is to review some of the key studies that are published in the last three decades on banking service quality with particular attention to the Middle Eastern countries, and provide some future research directions.

Literature review.

The review generated 11 research questions related to Islamic and conventional banking services in the Middle Eastern countries.

This paper reviews leading, current studies on conventional and Islamic banking in the Middle East, and provides future research directions for scholars and practitioners alike. Future research should address each of the research questions as identified in this paper with empirical data/evidence.

This paper reviews leading, current studies on conventional and Islamic banking in the Middle East and provides future directions of research for scholars and practitioners alike. Future research should address each of the research questions the authors identify with empirical data and scientific evidence.

This paper would be useful for guiding the development and resolution of researchers’ and practitioners’ research questions and could help to strengthen the banking industry in Middle Eastern countries.