Konyin Ajayi and Hamid Abdulkareem
The purpose of this paper is to discuss the issues faced by financial institutions in detecting threats to their stability and integrity, and taking adequate steps to ensure that…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to discuss the issues faced by financial institutions in detecting threats to their stability and integrity, and taking adequate steps to ensure that those who engage in abuse are detected and sanctioned. The focus is on financial institutions in Nigeria. The paper proffers practical recommendations towards greater effectiveness of Nigeria's anti‐money laundering (AML) and counter terrorist‐financing regimes.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper explores Nigerian legislation on money laundering, terrorism, and related crimes. Data are also drawn from analysis of reports of relevant law‐enforcement agencies, regulatory agencies, as well as English and Nigerian case law.
Findings
The paper highlights the deficiencies in current money laundering and counter‐terrorist financing (CTF) legislation in Nigeria. It reveals that financial institutions may still be liable to their customers in the course of complying with applicable legislation. The paper suggests that the power of law‐enforcement agencies to “freeze” assets be expanded, while legislation should be enacted with explicit guidance on treatment of politically exposed persons, and terrorism.
Practical implications
The paper calls for a progressively risk‐based approach to reporting of suspicious transactions by Nigeria's financial institutions, as well as greater attention to the provision of training to compliance personnel.
Originality/value
This paper highlights issues requiring urgent legislative intervention; it also draws attention to areas where law‐enforcement agencies and financial institutions could collaborate better in managing cost of compliance and securing the overall effectiveness of the AML and CTF regimes.
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Abdel Latef M. Anouze, Ahmed Salameh Alamro and Abdulkareem Salameh Awwad
The purpose of this study is to answer the following questions: How to measure customer satisfaction from the provisioning service of both: Islamic and Conventional banks? Can we…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to answer the following questions: How to measure customer satisfaction from the provisioning service of both: Islamic and Conventional banks? Can we trust one tool to measure such satisfaction or both banks are different identities and there is a need for separate measurement tool? What is the relationship between banks operating style (Islamic or Conventional) and bank performance?
Design/methodology/approach
A cross-sectional survey design was conducted to analyze a sample of customers. A total of 480 Jordanian participants were included in the study.
Findings
The results of confirmatory factor analysis show that the most important drivers of customer satisfaction are Sharia’ compliance, complaints, pricing and convenience, whereas the least important drivers are e-banking, the perception of employees, enjoyment and tangibles. Also, the result of the multi-group analysis shows that the significant impacts of all drivers on customer satisfaction differ from Islamic banks to Conventional banks except for the enjoyment. The significant effects of customer satisfaction on bank performance also differ from Islamic to Conventional banks.
Research limitations/implications
The result is limited to the selected sample, and hence, future research in other countries should contribute to a better understanding of the impact of customer satisfaction relationship on bank success or performance.
Practical implications
This study provides a useful information for bank managers on the main driver of customer satisfaction and performance.
Originality/value
This study is intended to add to the existing literature in three ways: There is a lack of studies on the main drivers of customer satisfaction, especially those based on a consumer’s decision-making process in Arabic countries like Jordan. This study broadens the scope by testing the proposed model using data from a sample of consumers in Jordan. This study serves to propose and validate the drivers that influence customer satisfaction and bank performance and elucidate the manner of their influence, to help with the development of more effective business strategies.
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The Metaverse is an immersive virtual world where individuals interact with each other using an avatar. The Metaverse is promised to offer several potentials for different…
Abstract
Purpose
The Metaverse is an immersive virtual world where individuals interact with each other using an avatar. The Metaverse is promised to offer several potentials for different sectors. While the Metaverse promotes innovative interaction between individuals (e.g. learners), there is a scarcity of knowledge on what influences its acceptance and use in higher educational institutions (HEIs), particularly in developing countries. Thus, this paper aims to identify the factors that affect the users' intentions toward Metaverse technology for educational purposes in the HEIs in Jordan.
Design/methodology/approach
A study model was created by incorporating variables from the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) (performance expectancy, PE; effort expectancy, EE; social influence, SI; and facilitating conditions, FC) and information system success (ISS) model (user satisfaction, SAT; system quality, SQ; service quality, SVQ and information quality, IQ) with perceived curiosity (PC) and hedonic gratification (HG) constructs. Both PC and HG were added as context-related factors that could contribute to improving the applicability of UTAUT and ISS to a wide range of technology use contexts. Data were gathered from 441 Jordanian university students using an online questionnaire.
Findings
The analysis of the structural model revealed that users' behavioural intentions toward using Metaverse were significantly affected by user satisfaction (SAT), performance expectancy (PE), facilitating conditions (FC) and hedonic gratification (HG). Also, information quality (IQ) and services quality (SVQ) were revealed to have a significant influence on user satisfaction. Likewise, the results illustrated a significant impact of systems quality (SQ), information quality (IQ) and service quality (SVQ) on PE. Lastly, a significant effect of PC on the EE factor was found.
Practical implications
This study will shed light on a number of practical implications for developers, designers, service providers and decision-makers supporting the acceptance and adoption of the Metaverse technology in the educational context. Also, it will contribute to developing the right strategies, and Metaverse content which will draw the attention of learners.
Originality/value
As per the surveyed literature and the researcher's prior knowledge, this is one of the first studies that integrate the UTAUT model, ISS model and two contextual factors (PC and HG) besides testing the proposed model in a developing country (Jordan). This paper is one of the few in which the individuals' acceptance behaviour of Metaverse technology was examined in the HEIs context.
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Khadar Ahmed Dirie, Md. Mahmudul Alam and Selamah Maamor
The sustainable development goals (SDGs) devised by the United Nations (UN) call on countries – whether rich or poor – to solve global issues, improve lives and save the planet…
Abstract
Purpose
The sustainable development goals (SDGs) devised by the United Nations (UN) call on countries – whether rich or poor – to solve global issues, improve lives and save the planet for future generations. However, the UN predicts that between $5 and $7tn will need to be spent annually between now and 2030 to accomplish these goals, posing a major financial hurdle. Islamic social finance, if used ethically, seeks to realise SDGs through fairness, justice and equity. Thus, this study aims to determine how Islamic social finance instruments such as Zakat, Waqf, Sadaqat and Qard-hasan contribute to realising SDGs.
Design/methodology/approach
This study used a preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses-based systematic literature review. Scopus and Google Scholar were chosen for the qualitative and meta-analysis of studies. The topic was reviewed in 178 academic papers from 2000 to 2022. The required articles were analysed after careful review.
Findings
Islamic social financing mechanisms have the capacity to solve many social issues and create better welfare conditions by ensuring economic, social and environmental sustainability in line with the SDGs. Indonesia and Malaysia lead Islamic social finance research, the survey found. The review revealed that Islamic social funding can achieve 11 out of 17 SDGs. Islamic commercial finance can be used for the remaining goals. The paper highlights Islamic social funding research limitations and opportunities.
Research limitations/implications
The review study shows that Islamic social finance can fill the SDG funding gap, especially considering the post-pandemic financial crisis that has increased global income inequality and social disparities.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this article is the first of its kind to review the potential of Islamic social financing instruments to help achieve the SDGs.
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M. J. Hakeem and M. M. Sulphey
This study aims to examine the factors that influence the adoption of public services through the latest smart apps designed to provide maximum services within urban local…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine the factors that influence the adoption of public services through the latest smart apps designed to provide maximum services within urban local government.
Design/methodology/approach
The research is based on a thorough literature review, expert advice on public service delivery and four complementary theories. An empirical survey used a structured questionnaire to collect primary data from citizens in Indian local governments. The data was analysed using structural equation modelling (SEM) and SmartPLS version 4 to assess the measurement and structural models.
Findings
The study confirmed that service quality, trust, effort expectancy and social influence are key factors for adopting smart app services. Trust and intention are mediators, while performance expectations do not impact the decision to use smart app services.
Research limitations/implications
The study includes a moderate sample size and a focus on a single developing country, which restricts its cross-cultural applicability. This research investigated the factors influencing individual adoption and use of local government services delivered through smart apps.
Practical implications
The study has significant implications for policymakers, researchers and implementers. It provides insights for developing strategies to increase the use of smart services, thereby enhancing local governance's efficiency, transparency and accountability.
Originality/value
This study enhances existing knowledge by adding service quality, trust and adoption to the model, which helps examine the factors affecting adoption. With limited research on local smart service app adoption, this study provides valuable insights.
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Memoona Iqbal and Muhammad Rafiq
Digital Libraries are complex, and this complexity is a motive to study user success on the behalf of appropriate user success models. These models comprise the factors which play…
Abstract
Purpose
Digital Libraries are complex, and this complexity is a motive to study user success on the behalf of appropriate user success models. These models comprise the factors which play a part between people, technology and organizations. The purpose of this study was to specify and examine an integrated digital library user success (IDLUS) model within the context of digital library settings, Higher Education Commission National Digital Library (HEC-NDL) of Pakistan, by adopting and reusing the existing digital library and Web success models.
Design/methodology/approach
Stratified random sampling technique was used to choose the sample from the University of the Punjab, a highly ranked public sector university in Pakistan. Participants were asked to complete an adapted survey questionnaire. A total of 355 completed and usable questionnaires were obtained. Data analyses through confirmatory factor analyses and structural equation modeling produced the results that have supported the proposed IDLUS model. The proposed IDLUS model was tested and supported through model fit statistics in the academic computing environment of the HEC-NDL of Pakistan.
Findings
Findings revealed that relationships between the latent variables hypothesized in the model were confirmed.
Research limitations/implications
The study has both theoretical and practical ramifications for academicians and information system designers and developers.
Originality/value
The IDLUS model is recommended first time in the history of librarianship in Pakistan as an overall user success model in the digital library information system computing environment. That made numerous recommendations for future research in the field of information management, particularly for digital library development at national and international levels.
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Efstathios Polyzos, Aristeidis Samitas and Konstantinos Syriopoulos
This paper models the benefits of Islamic banking on the efficiency of the banking sector and on societal happiness. This paper aims to examine how the adoption of Islamic banking…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper models the benefits of Islamic banking on the efficiency of the banking sector and on societal happiness. This paper aims to examine how the adoption of Islamic banking to various degrees affects economics outcomes.
Design/methodology/approach
This study uses machine-learning tools to build a happiness function and integrate it in an agent-based model to test for the direct and indirect welfare effects of implementing Islamic banking principles.
Findings
This study shows that even though Islamic banking systems tend to reduce economic activity, financial stability and societal happiness is improved. Additionally, a banking sector using Islamic principles across all its members is better equipped to handle banking crises because contagion to both economic activity and societal welfare is greatly reduced. At the same time, adoption of the profit-and-loss sharing (PLS) paradigm by banks may also slow down economic growth.
Research limitations/implications
The findings extend existing literature on the advantages of Islamic banking, by quantifying the welfare benefits of the PLS paradigm on happiness and financial stability.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this paper is the first to combine agent-based modelling with machine learning tools to examine the benefits of the Islamic banking model on financial stability, social welfare and unemployment.
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The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the percentage of female borrowers moderate the effect of female leadership on financial sustainability of microfinance…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the percentage of female borrowers moderate the effect of female leadership on financial sustainability of microfinance institutions (MFIs).
Design/methodology/approach
The study collected an unbalanced panel data of 821 MFIs between 2007 and 2018 from the Microfinance Information Exchange (MIX). MFIs’ financial sustainability was measured as operational self-sufficiency (OSS). The data were analyzed using the fixed effect regression model.
Findings
The study found that having women participation in managerial and board positions has a positive effect on OSS. The results further demonstrated that the proportion of female loan officers and female borrowers had a negative effect on OSS. In addition, the study’s findings revealed that the percentage of female borrowers moderated the relationship between female board members, female managers, female loan officers and OSS.
Practical implications
These findings may offer important insights to policymakers and practitioners in formulating strategies to improve financial inclusion for women by examining the inherent link between female borrowers and women’s participation in leadership roles within MFIs, which affects the financial sustainability of these entities.
Originality/value
This study is among the few that have examined the interaction between the proportion of female borrowers and other forms of female participation, including loan officers, managers and board members, and its effect on the financial sustainability of MFIs.
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Sait Gül, Çağlar Sivri and Ozan Rıdvan Aksu
The purpose of this paper is to determine which criteria should be taken into account while choosing face masks for pandemic times and to what extent their effects are.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to determine which criteria should be taken into account while choosing face masks for pandemic times and to what extent their effects are.
Design/methodology/approach
Nine face mask alternatives were evaluated based on the assessments of their performance with respect to twelve attributes. Seven experts were asked to evaluate the mask alternatives and the influences among attributes. In gathering expert judgments, spherical fuzzy number-based linguistic terms were utilized in the study to provide a more comprehensive representation domain to them.
Findings
According to the results, the most important attributes are found as material type, cost and bacteria–virus protection level. The best face mask is N95, which is followed by respirators and surgical masks.
Research limitations/implications
The implication of the research is to evaluate face masks in terms of criteria such as physical, performance, protection and cost to decide on what basis they were selected as a personal protective equipment (PPE) based on expert assessments. This is useful in selection of the right face mask with optimum performance and provides guidance to the general public and profession specific groups for this purpose. The face mask companies might be also benefitted from the implications of the present study in their design and research and development (R&D) operations.
Originality/value
The preference ranking of the face mask alternatives has not been studied in detail yet in the literature. Focusing on this issue, the present study provides a comprehensive assessment of the selection criteria of face masks in the pandemic era.
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Subhodeep Mukherjee, Ramji Nagariya, K. Mathiyazhagan, Manish Mohan Baral, M.R. Pavithra and Andrea Appolloni
Reverse logistics services are designed to move goods from their point of consumption to an endpoint to capture value or properly dispose of products and materials. Artificial…
Abstract
Purpose
Reverse logistics services are designed to move goods from their point of consumption to an endpoint to capture value or properly dispose of products and materials. Artificial intelligence (AI)-based reverse logistics will help Micro, Small, and medium Enterprises (MSMEs) adequately recycle and reuse the materials in the firms. This research aims to measure the adoption of AI-based reverse logistics to improve circular economy (CE) performance.
Design/methodology/approach
In this study, we proposed ten hypotheses using the theory of natural resource-based view and technology, organizational and environmental framework. Data are collected from 363 Indian MSMEs as they are the backbone of the Indian economy, and there is a need for digital transformation in MSMEs. A structural equation modeling approach is applied to analyze and test the hypothesis.
Findings
Nine of the ten proposed hypotheses were accepted, and one was rejected. The results revealed that the relative advantage (RA), trust (TR), top management support (TMS), environmental regulations, industry dynamism (ID), compatibility, technology readiness and government support (GS) positively relate to AI-based reverse logistics adoption. AI-based reverse logistics indicated a positive relationship with CE performance. For mediation analysis, the results revealed that RA, TR, TMS and technological readiness are complementary mediation. Still, GS, ID, organizational flexibility, environmental uncertainty and technical capability have no mediation.
Practical implications
The study contributed to the CE performance and AI-based reverse logistics literature. The study will help managers understand the importance of AI-based reverse logistics for improving the performance of the CE in MSMEs. This study will help firms reduce their carbon footprint and achieve sustainable development goals.
Originality/value
Few studies focused on CE performance, but none measured the adoption of AI-based reverse logistics to enhance MSMEs’ CE performance.