Islamic accounting research between 1982 and 2020: a hybrid review

Abstract

PurposeThis study aims to explore the Islamic accounting literature and attempts to identify the worldwide research trends of accounting for Islamic financial institutions.Design/methodology/approachThis study adopts a mixed review approach combining the bibliometric method with content analysis. Consulting Scopus database, the authors collect 195 documents (articles and reviews) relative to the Islamic accounting field from 1982 to 2020. VOSviewer, RStudio (biblioshiny) and Excel analysed the data.FindingsThe study revealed the influential scientific actors in the Islamic accounting field, categorising the intellectual structure into seven streams: accounting for Waqf, accounting for Zakat, Shariah auditing, corporate Shariah governance and screening, accounting for different modes of Islamic financing, education and ethics. The study further provides future research directions for researchers.Social implicationsThe findings highlight the efforts of academicians, researchers and practitioners in this emerging field. This effort provides awareness to different stakeholders on Islamic accounting, which will lead to better stewardship, accountability and information-based decision in line with Islamic economic principles.Originality/valueThis study is among the first Islamic accounting bibliometric papers that would help researchers stand on a firm basis concerning the development of the literature in this scientific domain.