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Facets of digital data dissemination, namely RRI Digital repository and Imprints collection, are two methods in which science communication can happen in the digital world. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the design, novelty and functionality of these facets as an archive, comprising a collage of profiles and publications of RRIians whose imprints on the sands of time have been culled and collated for posterity.

RRI Digital repository makes use of DSpace to preserve and showcase the research papers in text format, audio/video of lectures and images. Imprints collection is designed using Dreamweaver software. Images are uploaded using Jalbum.net software.

DSpace, an open source software meant for managing digital assets can be used as a platform to develop a modern genre of data dissemination. An example to this end is the Imprints collection, a bio‐bibliographic database with many valuable additions showcasing the digital scholarship of an institute with archival value.

Practical implications of both RRI digital repository and imprints collection is to act as support service to enhance the creativity and collaboration among scientists of the institute within and across different research institutes in the country and across the world. Further, ResearcherID embedded in the profile pages of scientists helps scientometricians in citation analysis.

Novelty associated with imprints collection in science communication using DSpace data is the strength of this tool. This is a unique style of digital data dissemination with supporting links between authors, their persona, their papers, lectures and photographs.

The purpose of this study is to comprehend the different concepts that are closely associated in understanding the open access journal movement. The study aims to demonstrate the methodology of compiling lists of open access journals in an academic library environment. A web‐based service of this kind in select subjects of study (knowledge domains) ensures visibility for open access literature in the scientific community.

The study generates comprehensive lists of open access journals in mathematics and statistics, library and information science and economics. Popular search engines such as Google and Yahoo! are employed to identify open access journals that are available in the above‐mentioned areas. Some open access platforms such as DOAJ, Open J‐gate and EMIS are also identified as popular source for open access journals.

Research findings indicate that there are quite a number of sources that provide access to open access journals, and they are scattered across the internet. The journal home page is the most authentic source for accessing the full‐text articles at any given time. DOAJ and Open J‐gate have been identified as the next two popular platforms from where open access journals can be accessed.

The study signifies the usefulness of a one‐stop platform for accessing open access journals in a specific subject. Since they are free by virtue of being open source, they can be accessed by anyone from any part of the world, irrespective of geographical barriers.

This study acts as a guide for librarians to initiate an easy‐to‐provide web‐based service to users.

The purpose of the study is to assess the familiarity and utilization of open access resources among library users of Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT), Kochi, and Pondicherry University (PU), Puducherry.

Data for the study were collected via a well-structured questionnaire. For this study, 250 questionnaires were administered among library users of each CUSAT and PU through incidental sampling. From CUSAT and PU, 180 and 160 questionnaires, respectively, were considered for data analysis.

The study reveals that majority of the respondents, i.e. 77.78 and 80 per cent of CUSAT and PU, respectively, believe that they are familiar with the concept of open access (OA). 70.56 per cent respondents from CUSAT and 71.88 per cent users from PU are aware that their library has an OA repository. However, majority of the respondents, i.e. 65 and 70.63 per cent users from CUSAT and PU, respectively, use OA resources. Among OA resources, electronic theses and dissertations are the most preferred ones consulted by 56.67 and 62.50 per cent respondents, respectively, from CUSAT and PU. 60.56 per cent respondents from CUSAT followed by PU (52.50 per cent) cited “screen reading” as a main barrier in accessing OA resources.

Both the universities under study have created and maintained the OA institutional repository for disseminating their institutional intellectual output. This study explores awareness and use of OA resources among library users of CUSAT and PU. The study concludes with some suggestions for utmost utilization of OA resources among library users.

The purpose of this paper is to introduce the theme issue on “Smart space technology innovations”.

This editorial discusses the innovation concepts and advantages of smart space. The technologies of smart space and its application also are discussed. The editorial surveys the latest literature and research papers submitted to this special issue about smart space and technology in Library Hi Tech.

Smart space has novel design and implementation perspectives for traditional information systems. Smart space depends not only on ambient intelligence and context‐aware computing techniques, but also on overall information architecture. Therefore, smart space innovation may have wide implications for academic and practice of library and information systems.

The paper discusses opportunities and challenges that smart space will bring. Its discusses the research of the papers submitted to this special issue on these topics.

The research issues of smart space are occurring at international conferences and in journal papers. The focal point on the techniques and applications for library and information systems is primary original and novel.

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the new application of a performance index (p‐index), extending its use to libraries for measuring and evaluating library circulation statistics in terms of quality and quantity of library books usage by subjects.

The study uses NISCAIR library circulation data and computes p‐index as well as h‐index for comparing usage in different subjects.

The results indicate that a two dimensional map of quality vs quantity of transactions can be used for better understanding and evaluation of library usage.

The h‐ and p‐indices and the quality‐quantity maps can be used as a benchmark for monitoring library performance in addition to finding out high value areas in the library collection, high value users, and high value books.

The paper is able to supplement the insights normally available from routine statistical analysis of circulation data.

This study may help in providing knowledge/insights in building up collections.

Gold investment is one of the essential long-term investments for many to diversify their investment portfolios. Muslims are continuously looking for halal products and services in any aspect of life and one of them is Shari’ah gold investments (SGI). However, evidence pertinent to Muslims’ behaviour towards Shari’ah gold is somewhat inconclusive and for that, a new empirical investigation is needed to reduce the gap, at best. Hence, the purpose of this study is to study factors determining SGI behaviour in Penang, Malaysia.

By using the Islamic theory of consumer behaviour (ITCB), this study examines the determinants of the SGI behaviour. The questionnaire survey was distributed and the data gathered was analysed using partial least square structural equation modeling.

All hypothesised hypotheses were instrumental in explaining the factors determining SGI behaviour in the context of Penang, Malaysia.

This study has at least two limitations, namely, confined generalisations of the variables used and the limited context of the research conducted.

This study sheds light on the determinants influencing SGI behaviour, at best.

This study is original in terms of its final output that enlightens the significant effects of iman, Islamic altruism, maqasid consumer index on the behaviour of investors on Shari’ah gold within the ITCB’s context along with integrated religious satisfaction.

This paper aims to propose a new pricing alternative called Rental Rate Index (RR-I) that captures the true value of property to be used by Islamic banks in Musharakah Mutanaqisah (MM) contract for home financing.

By formulating a profit rate based on Rental Index (RI) and House Price Index (HPI), the proposed rate eliminates conventional profit rate benchmarking, and, at the same time, suggests a fair, equitable and sustainable financing. This new RR-I (measured by RPI/HPI) enables computerization of the MM system in home financing to be easily implemented. A financial simulation is developed to demonstrate the feasibility of this newly proposed rate.

This newly proposed RR-I is found to be more stable, having less fluctuations, resilient to macroeconomic conditions and yet comparable to the conventional interest rates, without depending on them. It can also be regarded as a rate that is fair and sustainable to both the customer and the bank, as it measures the actual rate of return to both parties in MM contract.

The paper confines one contract, namely, MM, as it is claimed to be more Shariah-compliant than others.

The finding also sheds some light on the recommendation by Bank Negara Malaysia, which is to consider RR that is more indicative of the actual rental price while taking into account the competitiveness of the product. (BNM, 2007).

This paper wreaks customer patronage in selecting the contract of home financing.

This paper attempts to resolve the issue of benchmarking RR to the conventional interest rate in the MM contract. Studies conducted on this issue via simulation approach are meager.

This research article explores the intricate relationship between self-help groups (SHGs) and destination sustainability in the context of tourism. SHGs, typically formed by individuals with shared interests and objectives, have gained prominence as a means to promote economic, social and environmental sustainability at tourism destinations. This study investigates the impact of SHGs on destination sustainability, focusing on various dimensions, including economic empowerment, cultural preservation, environmental conservation and social development. After conducting an extensive review of the literature and supported by empirical case studies, this chapter undertakes a comprehensive analysis of the role played by SHGs in promoting the sustainability of tourism destinations. Furthermore, it examines the challenges encountered by SHGs in their pursuit of sustainable tourism objectives. The findings of this research contribute to a better understanding of the potential of SHGs in fostering destination sustainability and provide valuable insights for policymakers, destination managers and stakeholders interested in harnessing the power of community-driven initiatives for sustainable tourism.

The majority of economic crises impact the wealth of people which in turn affect their financial capacity to purchase residential properties. However, the home financing method may also have an impact on the behaviour of house prices. This chapter intends to test argued resilience of Islamic finance to situations of financial crisis by using an Islamic home financing product called Enhanced Musharakah Mutanaqisah (EMM) which was proposed by Asadov and Ibrahim (2018) as an example and compare its performance to conventional mortgage. Two different models of home financing, conventional and EMM based ones are developed with the former reflecting basic features of conventional mortgage and the latter using rental rates and house price indices for product pricing. Both models are compared using aggregate data for the US housing market for the past 30 years in order to demonstrate the resilience of the EMM model. The findings of the study show that EMM is more flexible in terms of reflecting real situations in both the housing market and aggregate economy as compared to the conventional model. Its pricing is more accommodating particularly during times of economic downturns, and it can potentially provide the solution to numerous mortgage defaults arising from such conditions. Despite the proposed models being tested using data only from the United States, the analysis can be generalized for other countries as well. The implementation of the EMM model, as an example of Shariah-based Islamic financial product, is expected to bring fairness and justice in the relationship between financial institutions and its clients. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first attempt of simulating a Musharakah Mutanaqisah based home financing using both actual rental rates and house prices for product pricing.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.