Girdhari Bora, Rajiv Kumar and Ajil Joseph
Community health workers (CHWs) are vital to addressing public health system limitations in developing countries. However, effective identification and support of underperforming…
Abstract
Purpose
Community health workers (CHWs) are vital to addressing public health system limitations in developing countries. However, effective identification and support of underperforming CHWs remains a challenge. This study develops a predictive model to proactively identify underperforming CHWs, facilitating targeted interventions for improved CHW programmes.
Design/methodology/approach
We developed a predictive model to identify underperforming CHWs in Uttar Pradesh, India. Data from 140,101 CHWs over a 12-month period was used to build, test and validate the model. Classification techniques, ensemble modeling and a model tuning algorithm were employed for accuracy optimization and early identification.
Findings
Logistic regression, decision trees and random forests yielded the best performance. While ensemble models offered no significant performance improvements over the base models, the model tuning algorithm effectively increased prediction accuracy by 19 percentage points. This enabled early identification of poor-performing CHWs and high-risk CHW clusters early in the year.
Practical implications
The developed model has significant potential to improve CHW programmes. It enables targeted support, feedback and resource allocation, leading to enhanced CHW performance, motivation and healthcare outcomes in the communities they serve. The model can provide personalised feedback to help CHWs overcome challenges and dynamic clustering facilitates proactive identification and tailored support for those at risk of underperformance.
Originality/value
This study is the first attempt to use predictive modelling to identify underperforming CHWs, advancing the nascent field of CHW performance analytics. It underscores the effectiveness of digital technologies and data in improving CHW programmes.
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This study aims to investigate the implications for financial innovation and product development of differences between schools of jurisprudence (fiqh) pertaining across regional…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate the implications for financial innovation and product development of differences between schools of jurisprudence (fiqh) pertaining across regional Muslim markets, and the consequences for global financial institutions.
Design/methodology/approach
The methodology is qualitative, drawing upon several sources. Firstly, differences in interpretation regarding the economic and moral responsibilities of financial institutions in Islamic and secular contexts. Secondly, contrasting tenets of schools of Islamic jurisprudence regarding the permissibility of products traded intra Muslim markets. Thirdly, characteristics of complex financial instruments traded in global secular markets prior to the credit crisis of 2007–2008.
Findings
Differences between Islamic and global secular interpretations regarding responsibilities of financial institutions militate against integrated markets across which products can be seamlessly traded. Global financial institutions should recognise that different Islamic schools of jurisprudence prioritise either legal form or substance of financial products, but not both simultaneously. This should be considered when designing new products for regional Muslim markets.
Practical implications
Global financial institutions which focus upon the legal (micro) form of new Islamic products should relate in investor prospectuses and marketing materials the extent to which these accommodate Islamic jurisprudence’s equal (macro) concern for public interest or maslahah. This may comprise the reallocation of risk from those unable to bear it to those willing to assume it for a price, reinforcing rather than compromising economic stability.
Originality/value
This study evaluates implications for product development and marketing for global financial institutions active in regional Muslim markets across which different Islamic schools of jurisprudence apply.
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Abstract
Trafficking1 in human beings is gross.2 It constitutes one of the most egregious violations of human rights.3 The vile nature of human trafficking is also hinged on the fact that it commodifies human beings. Hence its categorisation is modern slavery.4 So much of trafficking activities follow the pathways5 of other transnational forms of organised crimes and irregular cross-border movement of people.6 In response to this egregious crime, several international, regional and country laws and instruments have been used or proposed for combatting human trafficking.7 These instruments forbid trafficking in human persons and provide several preventive measures, prosecution of perpetrators and protection of victims of human trafficking.8 The number of state parties to the United Nations Protocol to prevent suppress and punish trafficking in persons, especially women and children, supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (the Palermo Protocol), demonstrates the global commitment to combatting human trafficking. However, the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on legal systems, and the capacity of both state and private institutions to combat human trafficking, has added a knotty twist to the global problem of human trafficking. This essay looks at the trends of human trafficking in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. It also highlights international law and policy approaches that state parties and civil society organisations should adopt to counteract the changes and sustain the fight against human trafficking. Thus, the essay contributes to updating the legal and policy approaches to combat human trafficking in this era.
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Sherin Kunhibava, Zakariya Mustapha, Aishath Muneeza, Auwal Adam Sa'ad and Mohammad Ershadul Karim
This paper aims to explore issues arising from ṣukūk (Islamic bonds) on blockchain, including Sharīʾah (Islamic law) and legal matters.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to explore issues arising from ṣukūk (Islamic bonds) on blockchain, including Sharīʾah (Islamic law) and legal matters.
Design/methodology/approach
A qualitative methodology is used in conducting this research where relevant literature on ṣukūk was reviewed. Through a doctrinal approach, the paper presents analyses on the practice of ṣukūk and ṣukūk on blockchain by discussing its legal, Sharīʾah and regulatory issues. This culminates in a conceptual analysis of blockchain ṣukūk and its peculiar challenges.
Findings
This paper reveals that digitizing ṣukūk issuance through blockchain remedies certain inefficiencies associated with ṣukūk transactions. Indeed, structuring ṣukūk on a blockchain platform can increase transparency of underlying ṣukūk assets and cash flows in addition to reducing costs and the number of intermediaries in ṣukūk transactions. The paper likewise brings to light legal, regulatory, Sharīʾah and cyber risks associated with ṣukūk on blockchain that confront investors, practitioners and regulators. This calls for deeper collaboration in research among Sharīʾah scholars, lawyers, regulators and information technology experts.
Research limitations/implications
As a pioneering subject, the paper notes the prospects of blockchain ṣukūk and the current dearth of literature on it. The paper would assist relevant Islamic capital market entities and authorities to determine the potential and impact of blockchain ṣukūk in their respective businesses and the financial system.
Practical implications
Blockchain ṣukūk will assist in addressing issues inherent in classical ṣukūk and in paving the way to innovative solutions that will facilitate and enhance the quality of ṣukūk transactions. For that, ṣukūk would require appropriate regulatory technology to address its governance and regulation peculiarities.
Originality/value
Integrating ṣukūk with blockchain technology will add value to it. The paper advances the idea that blockchain ṣukūk revolutionises ṣukūk and enhances its practice against known inadequacies.
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This chapter examines and illustrates the judicial treatment of relevant concepts and norms of corporate sustainability and relevant implications for the implementation of the UN…
Abstract
Purpose
This chapter examines and illustrates the judicial treatment of relevant concepts and norms of corporate sustainability and relevant implications for the implementation of the UN Global Compact.
Methodology/approach
This is a conceptual examination of relevant legislation, cases and concepts used by judges in giving practical content to the concepts of ‘sustainable development’, ‘sustainability’ and ‘corporate sustainability’.
Findings
The judiciary has been fashioning applicable policy, resolving and balancing the clash of interests, setting guidelines and parameters for statutory interpretation in elucidating the concept of corporate sustainability. To that extent ‘corporate sustainability law’ is developing, not only in municipal public law where legislation is the key driver, but as ‘soft’ international law.
Research limitations/implications
This is a general survey of trends in judicial reasoning from different countries and legal traditions and is not applicable exclusively to any jurisdiction. The implication is that there is room for detailed study of applicable rules in each jurisdiction.
Practical implications
The chapter offers guidance for strategic implementation of the Global Compact, compliance to emergent obligatory principles, for shaping policy and corporate political management.
Originality/value
This chapter contributes to an understanding of the role and impact of the judiciary in developing corporate sustainability law and congruent principles of the Global Compact.
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Sayd Zubair Farook and Mohammad Omar Farooq
Recent calls by prominent Islamic scholars to shift the focus of Islamic finance away from bond‐like sukuk have been met with great unease by bankers in the industry. Islamic…
Abstract
Purpose
Recent calls by prominent Islamic scholars to shift the focus of Islamic finance away from bond‐like sukuk have been met with great unease by bankers in the industry. Islamic Financial Institutions, which hold the majority of all sukuk issued, face deposit side constraints on the types of returns they distribute, due to a need to match returns to market‐based deposit interest rates. Hence, it is in their interest to hold assets that provide stable benchmark‐based returns. The purpose of this paper is to provide an outline of an incentive‐based regulatory mechanism to encourage Islamic banks to reconcile their intended normative structure (profit and loss sharing) with the operational and pragmatic realities within which Islamic banks exist.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper traces the regulatory infrastructure and in particular Islamic Financial Services Board regulations on Capital Adequacy for Islamic Banks and provides recommendations for technical improvements to particular aspects of the regulations.
Findings
The paper provides practical regulatory recommendations on the capital adequacy regime implemented by central banks that could potentially align more effectively with the intended form of Islamic bank's operational structure, either as an investment bank or as a commercial bank.
Practical implications
By aligning the activities of Islamic banks with their intended operational structure through the implementation of a system of regulatory incentives as recommended in this paper, may help in quelling the increasing tide of criticisms of the current Islamic banking model which has deviated from its intended form. More importantly, if such regulation is implemented, it could also lead to enhanced systemic stability, since Islamic banks will be more resistant to economic shocks that affect the system.
Originality/value
While there are studies that research the effect of the capital adequacy ratio, none really provide practically implementable recommendations that align the Islamic bank business model with its intended objectives.
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Abdul Haseeb Ansari and Sri Wartini
The purpose of writing this paper is to present a comparative but critical assessment of the applicability of the precautionary principle (PP) under the SPS Agreement, which is a…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of writing this paper is to present a comparative but critical assessment of the applicability of the precautionary principle (PP) under the SPS Agreement, which is a part of the WTO regime by implication, and under the Cartagena Protocol, which has been made under the Convention on Biological Diversity.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper presents an analytical exposition of both the sets of laws, trade law and environmental law. The methodology adopted is library based. The approach is to bring about an amicable co-existence of both the laws so that they could serve the dual purpose, i.e. promotion of trade and protection of “human, animal and plant life and health” and conservation of the environment.
Findings
The DSB of the WTO should give due importance to the PP and should apply it liberally, keeping also in view the environmental aspects, so that along with free trade human, animal and plant health and life, and conservation of the environment are also protected.
Practical implications
It will change the present paradigm and will bring both the sets of laws together.
Originality/value
It focuses on the life and heath of poor people around the world. It, thus, pleads for application of strong PP.
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– The purpose of this paper is to assess the success of the world trade organisation (WTO) dispute settlement system and its transferability to other fora.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to assess the success of the world trade organisation (WTO) dispute settlement system and its transferability to other fora.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper compares the design and case law of trade and investment law, and seeks lessons for the settlement of trade and investment disputes in other fora.
Findings
It concludes that despite its shortcomings, the WTO Appellate Body provides vital stability regarding legal interpretations, something notably absent from other fora.
Originality/value
The paper offers the perspective of a former Member and Chairman of the WTO Appellate Body on the success of the dispute settlement system.