Shahrzad Pakjouei, Aidin Aryankhesal, Mohammad Kamali, Hesam Seyedin and Mohammad Heidari
Earthquake usually causes death, injury, disability and destruction of buildings and infrastructure, and people with disabilities are usually affected more than healthy people. As…
Abstract
Purpose
Earthquake usually causes death, injury, disability and destruction of buildings and infrastructure, and people with disabilities are usually affected more than healthy people. As undesirable experiences may also have positive outcomes, this study aims to investigate the experiences of PWD and identify the positive effects of earthquakes on them in Iran, as an earthquake-prone country.
Design/methodology/approach
In this qualitative study, 20 participants were selected purposively among those having physical disability, aged 23-55 years and with experience of an earthquake. Their opinions were collected using semi-structured interviews. Analysis was performed using thematic approach and MAXQDA software was used to organize the data.
Findings
The positive effects of earthquake were categorized into five main themes: promotion of preparedness, knowledge enhancement, improvement of structures, socio-economic improvement (economic situation enhancement and social cohesion promotion) and outstanding role of national and international non-governmental organizations.
Originality/value
Although disasters are generally unpleasant, in the long term, they can result in positive effects and may be considered as opportunities to improve the situation and eliminate certain limitations. It is also important to learn from experiences of people with disabilities and apply the lessons learned, for enhancing preparedness and providing better services in the response phase of disaster management. Additionally, paying attention to the positive attitudes of such people, with special conditions and limitations, indicates their enhanced resilience to cope with disasters and emergencies, including COVID-19, which should be taken into consideration by policymakers and planners in future programs.
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Yasushi Suzuki and Mohammad Dulal Miah
There is a growing debate as to how Islamic financial institutions can increase the expansion of profit and loss sharing (PLS) finance instead of widely practiced markup finance…
Abstract
Purpose
There is a growing debate as to how Islamic financial institutions can increase the expansion of profit and loss sharing (PLS) finance instead of widely practiced markup finance. This paper aims to seek to argue that protecting lenders right is to be ensured if we expect to see the rise of PLS finance of Islamic banks.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper draws upon the theorical contribution of Toshihiko Izutsu, who shows the derivation of the modern term Islam from its pre-Islamic root of hilm. Izutsu argues that a halim (Muslim or mu’min) possesses power and becomes altruist for fellow Muslim. This research takes this view to illustrate that Islamic lenders should be bestowed with economic and financial power for the expansion of PLS finance.
Findings
The authors show that Islamic financial system does not furnish required institutions conducive for expansion of PLS finance. The authors further argue that the practice of PLS should be based on an effective power retained by the lender to discipline the borrower, which is currently lacking in a typical PLS contract.
Practical implications
The retention of the power by the lender does not necessarily breach maqasid al-shari’ah, so far as the power is managed upon the concept of hilm. This philosophical speculation, in the authors’ view, would contribute to bridge a gap between Islamic pragmatists and perfectionists’ view toward expansion of PLS finance.
Originality/value
Although Izutsu’s explanation provides an important tool to argue that the altruistic behaver of halim can encourage the supply of participatory finance, this provision has not been adequately argued in the literature.
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Mohammad-Reza Saffari and Reza Kamali Miab
The purpose of this paper is to: investigate coating of polylactic acid by TiO2 using low-temperature plasma technique, which is a clean and environmentally benign process; study…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to: investigate coating of polylactic acid by TiO2 using low-temperature plasma technique, which is a clean and environmentally benign process; study the characteristics of the obtained samples; and survey the antibacterial effect of nano-TiO2. This method, as an eco-friendly technology used on the biodegradable polymer, would be benefited by industries which want to set feet on the greener path and reduce the social costs resulting from the harmful effects of pollutants.
Design/methodology/approach
TiO2 was coated on a textile by DC magnetron sputtering. In this study titanium as a pure Ti anode is coated on the sample surface in the plasma reactor by entering argon gas (Ar). Then titanium oxide appears through entering oxygen (O2) into the reactor.
Findings
Scanning electron microscopy analysis is applied to show the morphology of the coated surface. The quantitative value of TiO2 was evaluated as weight percentage using X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and washing stability of the samples is measured using the XRF machine. The highest degree of antibacterial effects and washing stability are all observed in 10 min.
Originality/value
In this process, contrary to common methods, pure Ti is used for coating. Finishing of textiles via this method has been useful to be used as disposable hospital clothing due to its biodegradable and antibacterial properties. So it will be helpful in reducing negative environmental impacts.
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Raja Madihah Raja Alias, Norhashimah Mohd Yasin, Badruddin Hj Ibrahim and Mohd Yazid Zul Kepli
Money laundering and terrorism financing are financial crimes which affect the economic stability and integrity of the country. In this respect, the relevant regulator has a duty…
Abstract
Money laundering and terrorism financing are financial crimes which affect the economic stability and integrity of the country. In this respect, the relevant regulator has a duty to preserve and protect the financial stability of the country. This duty is in line with the concept of the protection of wealth (hifz al-mal) under the maqāsid al-Sharīʿah or higher objectives of Islamic law framework. The objective of this chapter is to examine the protection of wealth vis-á-vis money laundering and terrorism financing from the maqāsid al-Sharīʿah perspective. This study analyses the primary and secondary legal sources on the laws and regulations on anti-money laundering and counter financing of terrorism while also considering the primary and secondary sources of Islamic law. This study is significant as it makes an exploration of the maqāsid al-Sharīʿah perspectives and discusses the position of unlawful wealth that is acquired from the illicit gain of property from the abuse of money laundering and the financing of terrorist activities. This chapter suggests that Islamic law emphasises on the lawful ownership of wealth and prohibits a person from acquiring illicit wealth. This study will contribute towards the study on the deployment of maqāsid al-Sharīʿah, which is beneficial in safeguarding an individual action as well as the country’s commitment against abuse and misuse of wealth for financial crimes.
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Md Akther Uddin and Abu Umar Faruq Ahmad
This paper aims to compare and contrast the concept of conventional futures contract from the Islamic law of contract perspectives. The underlying theory and practice of Islamic…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to compare and contrast the concept of conventional futures contract from the Islamic law of contract perspectives. The underlying theory and practice of Islamic finance is based on the principles of Islamic law of contract. Although the necessity of derivative instruments such as the case with futures contract is essential for developments in Islamic finance, the permissibility of using these instruments still remains a debatable issue.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper discusses arguments for and against using derivative instruments as in futures, for example, in light with the Qur’an and Sunnah (the Prophet’s traditions), as well as the views of classical scholars, jurists and contemporary researchers. Arguments for and against are analysed systematically to derive a logical conclusion.
Findings
The study finds that majority scholars consider futures contracts as non-compliant with the Islamic law due to the fact that selling something that does not exist, deferment in the both counter values, gharar or ambiguity and excessive risk taking, pure speculation and sale of one debt for another.
Research limitations/implications
The study focuses narrowly on conventional futures contract. Analysing other financial derivative contracts could be a future research endeavour.
Practical implications
The study has so far found the verdict of impermissibility of conventional futures contract in its current form as has been argued by majority scholars in the premise that they do not comply with the Islamic law. Policymakers and industry practitioners need to take this opinion of majority scholars while developing new Islamic financial derivatives.
Originality/value
To the best of the author's knowledge, the present research is the first attempt so far that explained the validity of conventional futures by analysing arguments of classical and contemporary jurists, scholars and researchers.
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Razi's theory has an axiological and epistemological relevance that ethical values are established on knowledge model which is developed by interactive preferences between polity…
Abstract
Razi's theory has an axiological and epistemological relevance that ethical values are established on knowledge model which is developed by interactive preferences between polity and the value system. The point of departure for the understanding of the differences of Razi's human needs theory vis‐a‐vis the contemporary ideas are the metaphysical principle that underlies the notion of the theory. By means of this principle we come to understand the place of human being in the universe, his function and purpose in life and his final destination, therefore his needs and motivations. Thus an economic system based on Razi's human needs theory is an ethico‐economy which tilts neither toward socialism nor laissez‐faire capitalism. The notion of need can be interpreted as a reaction against allegedly value‐free or value‐neutral approaches in the social sciences. In this sense, the work of Razi can be most usefully seen as part of those ethical ideas which he invoked in the 12th century. Razi's writing on ethics that very closely related to philosophy is much less well known. Yet it is essential in an attempt to evaluate his contribution to the development of Islamic thought. The scope of his writings is remarkable, ranging from his early analyses of theological and legal controversies in the eastern part of the Muslim world, through a book on Qur'anic Exegesis and ethics; from medical sciences to his sustained polemic on credology and philosophy. In short, his writings embrace diversity of areas, from theology to philosophy, from natural to applied sciences including chemistry, astronomy and medicine. In his writings, he succeeded in proving his claim that excellence and perfection of man are not realized by means of bodily sensual pleasure. Rather, it is realized instead, by means of knowledge, power and excellent manners. This paper gives an account of the relevancies of knowledge‐based world view in the light of Razi's view of human needs. In dealing with this topic, two questions are explored: (1) what is his view of human needs? and, (2) what is the relevance of his view to ethics and economics?
Maya F. Farah and Lamis El Samad
– The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of religious sect on the Lebanese consumer’s perception of controversial product advertisements.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of religious sect on the Lebanese consumer’s perception of controversial product advertisements.
Design/methodology/approach
The study used a quantitative survey that was administered to a purposive representative sample of respondents from the two main Muslim sects in the country, namely, Sunni and Shiite Muslims.
Findings
The results indicated significant differences in perceptions between Sunni and Shiite Muslims with regards to the offensiveness of the advertising of controversial products. Briefly, Sunni Muslims found the advertising of social and political as well as health and care products more offensive, whereas Shiite Muslims found the advertising of gender and sex-related products more offensive, and no significant difference in offensiveness perception between the two sects was found with regards to the advertising of addictive products.
Research limitations/implications
Two main limitations faced the researchers: the fact that the respondents were not shown examples of offensive product advertisements; and that religiosity was not measured for the respondents, which could also be a factor in offensiveness perception.
Practical implications
The study indicates that a consumer’s religious sect can play a determining role in how he/she perceives product advertisement, thus encouraging marketers to consider the differences between these sects while advertising to ensure no potential consumers are alienated.
Originality/value
Although research has looked into the impact of religiosity and religion on the perception of offensive product advertisements, minimal research exists on the impact of religious sects on the perception of offensive product advertisement. The results of this study provide some insights into the consumer behavior differences between the two sects.
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Aisyah Abdul Rahman and Raudha Md Ramli
The case is suitable for use in the topics related to the functions and roles of hedging and the Islamic derivatives/hedging instruments.
Abstract
Subject area
The case is suitable for use in the topics related to the functions and roles of hedging and the Islamic derivatives/hedging instruments.
Study level/applicability
The case is designed for undergraduate students, taking courses in Islamic Banking, Islamic Finance and Risk Management for Islamic Banking Institutions.
Case overview
This case describes the theory and application of Islamic Cross Currency Swap (ICCS) in the market. Having this understanding enables case analysts to understand the functions and roles of hedging and the Islamic derivatives or hedging instruments of ICCS comprehensively. The case begins with Yusof, the new finance officer of Al-Yemeni Sdn. Bhd to analyse the permissibility of hedging and derivatives to hedge against currency fluctuations from Islamic perspective. Yusof had to complete the report before the Board of Director's quarterly meeting, which was within a week. Having in mind that the company's mission was to be a Shariah-compliant stock by 2012, Yusof was responsible for ensuring that the company was administrated in an Islamic way. Besides, he also had to ensure that the company generated income and profit as planned. In doing so, he had to strategise all possible risk exposures that could be mitigated or hedged. This case ends by giving the case analyst information on ICCS offered by Al-Rizky Bank Berhad (ARBB). In this case, Yusof had to find out whether hedging is allowed in Islam. What are the Islamic derivatives? What are the different views of Shariah scholars on various types of derivatives? What is the modus operandi of ICCS? Is the ICCS offered by ARBB Shariah compliant? What are the possible risk exposures being hedged in ICCS?
Expected learning outcomes
To provide exposure on the concepts of hedging from Islamic perspectives; to provide exposure on the concepts of Islamic derivatives/Islamic hedging instruments; to stimulate understanding on the modus operandi of ICCS in ARBB; and to help case analysts understand what makes the Islamic hedging instruments become Shariah compliant.
Supplementary materials
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Mohammad-Reza Saffari, Mehdi Kamali Dolatabadi, Abosaeed Rashidi and Mohammad Esmail Yazdanshenas
One of the recent applications of fabrics is to use them for sound insulation. Accordingly, due to their low production cost and low relative density, fabrics have drawn attention…
Abstract
Purpose
One of the recent applications of fabrics is to use them for sound insulation. Accordingly, due to their low production cost and low relative density, fabrics have drawn attention in some of the industries such as the automotive and aircraft industries. The present study is aimed to investigate the effects of the fiber cross-section, porosity, thickness of samples and fuzzing of the knitted fabric on the sound absorption coefficient.
Design/methodology/approach
In the present study, fabrics with three different stitch densities were knitted by yarns consist of three different forms of fiber cross-section shapes (circular, elliptical and plus-shaped). In this work, the sound absorption coefficient of knitted fabrics was investigated with regard to the different fiber cross-sections and structural parameters using an impedance tube.
Findings
As indicated by the obtained results, the cross-section, porosity, thickness and mass per unit area of the fabrics were the determinant factors for the sound absorption coefficient. In addition to, the sound absorption coefficient and porosity were shown to have an inverse relationship.
Originality/value
A section of the present paper has been allocated to the investigation of the effect of the fiber cross-section and fuzzing of fabric on the sound absorption of plain knitted fabrics.
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Arash Kamali, Seyyed Babak Alavi and Mohammad Reza Arasti
Based on self-determination theory (SDT), this study aims to investigate the motivational antecedents of faculty members’ continuance intention of using online teaching platforms…
Abstract
Purpose
Based on self-determination theory (SDT), this study aims to investigate the motivational antecedents of faculty members’ continuance intention of using online teaching platforms. For this purpose, we introduced a model incorporating basic psychological needs satisfaction (BPNS) and different motivational mechanisms.
Design/methodology/approach
Using a survey study of 312 faculty members, we examined the model by structural equation modeling (SEM).
Findings
The SEM results revealed a positive correlation between BPNS and continuance intention. Additionally, we illustrate the importance of different types of extrinsic motivation. By presenting an alternative model, we demonstrate that the initial-use-identified regulation (one type of extrinsic motivation) has an association with continuance intention (CI). However, this association loses significance if BPNS is present within the model. Moreover, we determined that there is no significant relationship between initial-use external regulation (another type of extrinsic motivation) and faculty members' CI for online teaching. Lastly, the results revealed that pre-use amotivation and intrinsic motivation impact CI through initial-use BPNS.
Research limitations/implications
The results suggest that decision-makers at educational institutions should consider that extrinsic motivation has different types with different impacts and that BPNS has a vital role in faculty members’ intention to continue using online teaching platforms.
Originality/value
This study is novel because it reveals some details of extrinsic motivation effects by offering a model that combines BPNS and different types of motivation in two stages. It is important and rare that we concentrate on the almost neglected issue of faculty members’ motivational perspectives in online teaching, while the literature mainly focuses on students’ perspectives.