This article seeks to propose a defined set of Sharīʿah standards and guidelines for the charity account in order to provide clear guidance to Islamic financial institutions…
Abstract
Purpose
This article seeks to propose a defined set of Sharīʿah standards and guidelines for the charity account in order to provide clear guidance to Islamic financial institutions (IFIs) and eventually create a standardised practice in the management of the charity account by IFIs worldwide.
Design/methodology/approach
This article is based on a literature review regarding the origin and concept of the charity account for IFIs. It makes reference to various primary Sharīʿah sources and contemporary Sharīʿah standards pertaining to impermissible income as it relates to the charity account. It also analyses secondary sources of reference, in particular research papers and case studies on the same subject matter.
Findings
This article proposes relevant Sharīʿah standards required for the better functioning and standardisation of the charity account application by IFIs.
Research limitations/implications
This article will help IFIs, standard-setting bodies and regulators to develop a defined charity account framework. It also addresses the gaps discussed in past research and case studies that have not been resolved to date, particularly on the determination and management of charity accounts at the level of IFIs.
Practical implications
The charity account will be better controlled and thus eliminating potential reputational issues arising from collecting and disbursing commitment to donate amounts (CDA).
Social implications
The charity account distribution will be better managed and thus of more benefit to the society and recipients.
Originality/value
This article promotes the idea of standardisation in the practices of charity accounts, especially in terms of sources and disbursement.
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The purpose of this paper is to investigate bank customers' attitudes toward various bank services.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate bank customers' attitudes toward various bank services.
Design/methodology/approach
The design includes a survey, which looked into determinants of customer satisfaction in the retail‐banking sector in the Middle East, with particular attention to the State of Kuwait. A total of 605 usable questionnaires were randomly distributed to retail customers at various banks within the country.
Findings
Using descriptive statistics methods and ANOVA test, the findings of this paper suggest that in general customers in Kuwait (Kuwaiti and non‐Kuwaiti customers) are satisfied with services provided by the retail‐banking sector.
Research limitations/implications
The research does not include samples of customers represented among all the bank branches in Kuwait due to cost and time limitations.
Practical implications
The paper has implications for management in the banking sector in the State of Kuwait.
Originality/value
The paper presents original research for determining customer satisfaction of bank services in Kuwait. The results can be of much value to bank managers using these data to retain customer satisfaction and maintain their competitive advantage.
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Said Elbanna, Shatha M. Obeidat, Heba Younis and Tamer H. Elsharnouby
This study aimed to contribute to the field of Human Resource Management (HRM) by providing a critical review of existing scholarly research and a thematic analysis of the…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aimed to contribute to the field of Human Resource Management (HRM) by providing a critical review of existing scholarly research and a thematic analysis of the workforce nationalization domain in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. To strengthen the literature on this topic, it seeks to identify key gaps and areas for further exploration.
Design/methodology/approach
A two-step systematic research methodology (qualitative and quantitative) and a thematic analysis of empirical and theoretical studies were used in this study. The quantitative review was conducted using a predesigned coding framework.
Findings
The study identified and discussed four perspectives of workforce nationalization in the GCC countries. These were (1) the conceptualization of workforce nationalization; (2) the role of institutional policies in achieving it; (3) the practices and outcomes of nationalization efforts and (4) the impact of gender and women in the nationalization process.
Research limitations/implications
This study has several limitations, which the authors have addressed by proposing several future research avenues. For example, the reviewed studies are skewed toward certain countries (e.g. UAE and Saudi Arabia), which limits the generalizability of their findings.
Practical implications
A more comprehensive definition of nationalization, development of qualitative and quantitative measures to enhance HRM practices and outcomes, and the identification of alternative approaches to improve the employment of locals are emphasized as needs. Additionally, revised measures and mechanisms to rectify negative perceptions about entitlement and the revision of policies to integrate females in the national labor force are suggested.
Originality/value
Workforce nationalization initiatives in the GCC region offer a unique and rich research phenomenon replete with managerial, organizational, economic and political dilemmas. The investigation of this phenomenon would profoundly enlighten employers, policymakers and scholars.
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Louise Patterson, Damodharan Sowmya Varadarajan and Beena Saji Salim
The purpose of this paper is to conduct a meta-analysis of existing research on gender discrimination/gender gap and women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to conduct a meta-analysis of existing research on gender discrimination/gender gap and women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) in the UAE, specifically, and Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries in general because of very limited number of articles published on the subject. It will give future researchers insights into the topics, methodologies and findings of such research from 1999–2019.
Design/methodology/approach
This study conducts a meta-analysis of 72 articles using the Wildcard operator search method and the Boolean operator to perform an integrative literature search related to gender discrimination studies done in relationship to or specific to the UAE.
Findings
In total, 88 papers related to the UAE and gender gap and women were identified. The articles were narrowed down to the ones published in high-ranked or Scopus journals (72). The findings suggest a decreasing trend in gender discrimination, but the issue still persists, requiring efforts from policy-makers, society and government to ensure gender parity is achieved. Academic research on women in STEM/SET workplace, specific to the UAE and the region, continue to slowly advance, with very few articles published in the same.
Practical implications
The study provides insights into gender gap research done in the past ten years specific to the UAE national women and gender gap in general and their career choices and prospects in the STEM/SET domain.
Social implications
There is a need to focus research on Emirati women in STEM careers to develop more insights into gender gap perceptions of Emirati women and identify challenges and methods to close the gender gap in STEM careers.
Originality/value
This paper brings a holistic perspective to the meta-analysis of research on the gender gap and women in the UAE’s STEM domain.