Attitude formation towards Islamic banks

Abstract

This study aims to determine client’s attitude explanatory factors for the selection of an Islamic bank at Jordan. Mainly, the study identifies factors shaping client’s attitude toward Islamic banks that are considered in clients' decision choices related to different behavioral theories. Data were randomly collected from Islamic banks clients in Jordan. A questionnaire was developed, distributed, and analyzed via the model of t-test on 138 clients. The results show that clients consider several factors in their choices between religious and non-religious. Essentially, religious factors are principles, absence of interest, religious edict or justification, profit-sharing, and Islamic price basis of banking services. The non-religious related factors were sufficient branches, caring and comfortable, appearance and internal decoration design, fast services, response to their clients’ needs, sufficient number of staff, giving clients the top priorities, clients' needs to include disclosing information as a part of accounting system adequacy. Adequate attention is needed to every client, competitive service prices, and the influence of friends and family. The study concludes that it is not possible to say that religious factors are enough, but the interest-free banking greatly represents the non-religious or the economic factors, and the profit-sharing principle is important; Policymakers must consider this to buildup a positive attitude toward Islamic banks. The findings recommend that religious and non-religious values significantly influence clients’ intentions and choices. It suggests that religious ethics is the most important factor, and the availability of information systems disclosing clients' needs.