Afzaal H. Seyal, Mohd Noah Abd Rahman and Hj Awg Yussof Hj Awg Mohammad
The primary purpose of this research is to examine and explore quantitatively the determining factors that contribute electronic data interchange (EDI) adoption among Brunei's…
Abstract
Purpose
The primary purpose of this research is to examine and explore quantitatively the determining factors that contribute electronic data interchange (EDI) adoption among Brunei's small and medium enterprises (SMEs) not addressed previously.
Design/methodology/approach
The study is based upon survey approach to collect the primary data from 50 SMEs in Brunei Darussalam based upon stratified random sampling plan. A one stage normative model that is associative in nature was developed based upon reviewing the previous researches and further in line with the research objectives. The model elicits six factors that are grouped in three categories, namely, organizational, environmental and technological.
Findings
The findings based upon regression analysis indicate that factors such as perceived benefits, government support and management support are significant determinants of EDI adoption. The 35 percent of the total variance is explained by these three factors.
Research limitations/implications
The small market size as well small sample size is one of the research limitations in addition that only 20 percent of the SMEs have adopted EDI. The inclusion of some more variables such as external pressure and competitive pressure will not only increase the shared variance, but will also bring broader perspective to the research. However, findings support similar other regional Asia‐Pacific studies.
Practical implications
The study has practical significance as it provides help to the management of the SMEs with the factors contributing towards EDI adoption. In case, these SMEs have to capitalize on EDI adoption, the management with the government support should not only take a supporting role, but also act proactively and competitively. The management focusing on the potential benefits could further trigger the adoption.
Originality/value
This pioneering study adds value to the existing knowledge and supports previous work. It further provides a platform for the future research. The EDI adoption among Brunei's SMEs could further be geared up by considering the factors mentioned above.
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Mahbubur Rahim, Mohd. Noah Abd. Rahman and Afzaal H. Seyal
This article reports the results of a survey in Brunei Darussalam concerning the use of pirated software among academics. Though, the suspicion of academics using pirated software…
Abstract
This article reports the results of a survey in Brunei Darussalam concerning the use of pirated software among academics. Though, the suspicion of academics using pirated software has long been circulating around in East and South East Asia, no “hard data” has ever been collected. This article confirms the suspicion, and provides new information on the use of pirated software outside the USA. Also reveals the type of tasks accomplished by academics with pirated software, and identifies the reasons for using such software. Moreover, relates academics’ use of pirated software with nine factors related to demographics, computer exposure, and job profile of academics. The findings are discussed, and are compared with some related findings reported elsewhere. Finally, concludes with some suggestions to curb piracy, and identifies areas of further research.
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Khadijah Binti Mohd Khambali @ Hambali, Zalfa Laili Hamzah, Mohd Zaidi Daud and Fuadah Johari
Despite the establishment of the Zakat, its role has been argued by the new Muslim (Muallaf) community. This research attempts to examine the role played by the Zakat institution…
Abstract
Purpose
Despite the establishment of the Zakat, its role has been argued by the new Muslim (Muallaf) community. This research attempts to examine the role played by the Zakat institution in Selangor in distributing funds and supporting Muallaf.
Methodology/approach
A qualitative approach through a series of interview sessions with management of the Zakat institution was carried out.
Findings
The results show that the department has supported Muallaf, particularly in terms of education, finance and monitoring the Muallaf through various programmes starting from the first day they convert to Islam.
Research limitations/implications
This chapter has its limitations in terms of the data collection from the Islamic religious centre. Future research should collect information from all rightful recipients, particularly the Muallaf community in order to measure the efficiency of the institution of Zakat. Future studies are important to understand how efficient the Islamic institution plays its role in managing and ensuring social economic justice among the other Muslim community.
Practical implications
This chapter indicates that the management of the Zakat institution should provide more systematic guidelines in managing Zakat fund for the efficient promotion, collection and distribution. Managing the institution of Zakat efficiently and effectively will help to enhance the image of religion, particularly Islam.
Social implications
This chapter confirms that the Islamic Religious Department of Selangor has managed to successfully administer the Zakat fund. On top of that, the department has organized several programmes for Muallaf in order to support them to be a new Muslim in a majority Muslim country.
Original/value
This chapter also clarifies the issues raised by the Muallaf community concerning the unfair treatment in distributing the Zakat fund and supporting them. This chapter contributes towards an understanding of the Zakat institution with regards to its concepts, role, issues and challenges.
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The purpose of this study is to examine the contributing factors that affect consumer behaviour of Islamic home financing in Malaysia. The effects of perceived religiosity on…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to examine the contributing factors that affect consumer behaviour of Islamic home financing in Malaysia. The effects of perceived religiosity on property, perceived Islamic debt principle and perceived maqasid on homeownership on consumer behaviour are examined. Furthermore, the effects of perceived religiosity and consumer behaviour on religious satisfaction are also investigated.
Design/methodology/approach
Using the theory of Islamic consumer behaviour (TiCB) as a baseline theory identified from the literature, this study proposes a conceptual model of consumer behaviour of Islamic home financing in Malaysia. Data from the 205 usable questionnaires are analysed using partial least squares (PLS).
Findings
The PLS results suggest that perceived religiosity on property, perceived Islamic debt principle and perceived maqasid on homeownership are instrumental in determining consumer behaviour, thus revealing these factors as “Islamic factors” that represent the TiCB. Furthermore, the effect of consumer behaviour on religious satisfaction is also significant, implying that good behaviour makes people happier – seeking pleasure for doing well that is blessed and approved by Allah (S.W.T).
Research limitations/implications
Two limitations are available for future studies. First, this study included only Malaysians in East Malaysia, suggesting that further testing of the proposed model should be conducted across different geographies to determine the generalisability of this study’s findings. Second, this study’s contributions are narrowed down to the factors examined. These limitations, however, provide directions for further future research.
Practical implications
The results provide directions to bank managers to effectively manage Islamic home financing services for the benefit of their customers. Islamic home financing products tend to be used by consumers if the patronage factors investigated are considered more profoundly.
Originality/value
This study examines the behaviour of consumers of Islamic home financing using the proposed framework derived from TiCB.
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Polina Roggendorf and Andrei Volkov
The development and presentation of a framework that integrates modern methods for detecting, assessing and mitigating mental health issues in the context of dynamic and adverse…
Abstract
Purpose
The development and presentation of a framework that integrates modern methods for detecting, assessing and mitigating mental health issues in the context of dynamic and adverse changes in social networks.
Design/methodology/approach
This viewpoint is based on a literature review of current advancements in the field. The use of causal discovery and causal inference methods forms the foundation for applying all the techniques included in the framework (machine learning, deep learning, explainable AI as well as large language models and generative AI). Additionally, an analysis of network effects and their influence on users’ emotional states is conducted.
Findings
The synergy of all methods used in the framework, combined with causal analysis, opens new horizons in predicting and diagnosing mental health disorders. The proposed framework demonstrates its applicability in providing additional analytics for the studied subjects (individual traits and factors that worsen mental health). It also proves its ability to identify hidden factors and processes.
Originality/value
The proposed framework offers a novel perspective on addressing mental health issues in the context of rapidly evolving digital platforms. Its flexibility allows for the adaptation of tools and methods to various scenarios and user groups. Its application can contribute to the development of more accurate algorithms that account for the impact of negative (including hidden) external factors affecting users. Furthermore, it can assist in the diagnostic process.
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This study aims to offer quantitative data on the expansion of Islamic accounting literature. The analysis concentrated on publishing patterns, nations that conduct Islamic…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to offer quantitative data on the expansion of Islamic accounting literature. The analysis concentrated on publishing patterns, nations that conduct Islamic accounting research, prominent contributors, leading writers, highly productive nations, keywords and papers with the greatest citations.
Design/methodology/approach
The author describes the field’s development and structure, including co-citation, co-authorship and bibliographical coupling, using a bibliometric approach combined with content analysis. The author discovers that Malaysia is the most pertinent nation, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia is the most pertinent university and the most pertinent journal is the Journal of Islamic Accounting and Business Research.
Findings
The author stresses the importance of critically assessing such approaches as more research looks into the possible contribution of Islamic banks to the provision of Shari’ah-compliant microfinance to rural small and medium enterprises. Finally, all business models are changing paradigms as a result of Industry 4.0. information and communication technology advancements might increase the adoption of Islamic accounting. Future research could create Shari’ah-compliant Islamic accounting models based on financial technology (fintech) for the benefit of underprivileged business owners who have little access to accounting and financing through conventional financial channels. The consideration of the necessity of regulatory reform to enhance the practical feasibility of Islamic accounting as a vehicle for economic transformation could also be helpful to policymakers.
Originality/value
Future research could create Shari’ah-compliant Islamic accounting models based on financial technology (fintech) for the benefit of underprivileged business owners who have little access to accounting and financing through conventional financial channels. The study’s consideration of the necessity of regulatory reform to enhance the practical feasibility of Islamic accounting as a vehicle for economic transformation could also be helpful to policymakers.
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Muhammad Talha Salam, Nazlida Muhamad and Vai Shiem Leong
Research on Muslim consumers has increasingly highlighted the significance of measuring religiosity. However, there is an apparent lack of uniformity in measuring religiosity…
Abstract
Purpose
Research on Muslim consumers has increasingly highlighted the significance of measuring religiosity. However, there is an apparent lack of uniformity in measuring religiosity across literature on Muslim consumer research. This paper aims to critically review the approaches used to measure religiosity in existing research on Muslim consumers.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper reviewed 39 studies selected from the Journal of Islamic Marketing from 2010 to 2017. Based on critical reviews of these studies on Muslim consumers, a number of observations and recommendations were made on approaches to measure religiosity.
Findings
Evident influence of religiosity on Muslim consumers was observed across the spectrum of the reviewed studies. The main issues in selecting the measures of religiosity include limited discussion on rationalizing the choice of a particular measure of religiosity and little consideration of the Islamic context.
Research limitations/implications
Based on the review, it is recommended that the process of searching, selecting and adopting a particular religiosity construct should be rationalized based on Islamic context. Adoption of Western scales should be done carefully with expert reviews. Also, researchers may consider using Islamic religiosity constructs and alternative measures such as qualitative measures of religiosity and spirituality-based constructs.
Originality/value
As Muslim consumer research is gaining momentum, this paper presents a critical review of the important aspect of measuring religiosity among Muslim consumers. The critical review and recommendations in this paper offer a much-needed theoretical clarity on selecting and using religiosity measures.