Islamic Finance Literature Research Articles

Islamic Banks’ Profit and Violations in Murābaḥah Financing

Purpose — This paper investigates the relationship between murābaḥah contracts and the profitability of Islamic banks, explicitly examining how potential Sharīʿah non-compliance issues related to murābaḥah contracts might impact the banks’ profitability. Design/Methodology/Approach — Employing the Generalised Method of Moments (GMM) estimation for fixed effects dynamic panels, this study analyses quarterly data from 2013Q4 to 2023Q1 of the four largest Islamic banks in Saudi Arabia. Findings — The results reveal a positive correlation between the increase in the value of murābaḥah contracts and Islamic earnings. While domestic macroeconomic conditions influence this relationship, international conditions have minimal impact. This investigation meticulously identifies instances of Sharīʿah violations within Islamic banks as they pursue a ‘search for yield’. Originality/Value — Prior studies have fallen short in establishing a definitive association between the profits of Islamic banks and the value of murābaḥah contracts. This research bridges this gap and introduces a novel dimension to the existing literature by illuminating the potential compromises in Sharīʿah compliance when employing murābaḥah contracts. The dual focus on both financial implications and ethical considerations makes this study unique, representing a significant contribution to the ongoing discourse in Islamic finance literature. Research Limitations/Implications — The availability of data on murābaḥah contracts may pose constraints to this study. Practical Implications — The analysis sheds light on various scenarios where Islamic banks may compromise their adherence to Sharīʿah principles in pursuit of higher profits, offering valuable solutions to address and rectify such violations.

Adaptation of Islamic Finance to the Performance of MSMEs in the Halal Food Industry

Research Originality: The findings of this research will contribute to the Islamic finance literature by answering the research gap between the relationship between MSME adaptation of Islamic finance implementation and MSME performance and providing practitionerinsight for policymakers and MSMEs in the halal food industry.Research Objectives: This study aims to determine the adaptation of Islamic finance to the performance of MSMEs in the halal food industry. Research Methods: The method used a quantitative and explanatory approach. The number of samples in this study was 212 MSME units taken by simple random sampling (SRS). The number of samples in this study is based on the needs of the analytical tools used. The analysis technique used is the structural equation model (SEM) approach with the help of the LISREL program.Empirical Results: The main findings show that halal industry MSMEs that adapt to Sharia finance tend to have a higher level of innovation than those that do not. Data shows that financing by Sharia principles enables MSMEs to allocate their resources more effectively, strengthening their ability to innovate in products and services. Innovations carried out by halal industry MSMEs that adopt a Sharia financial approach are more consistent with Sharia values, which leads to increased acceptance by Muslim consumers.Implications: MSME halal industry managers may consider adopting Islamic finance strategies as part of their business plans. This adoption includes using Sharia financing, investing according to Sharia principles, and managing their finances according to Sharia values. Managers also need to actively develop networks and collaborate with other stakeholders, including Sharia financial institutions, educational institutions, and other companies in the halal industry ecosystem.JEL Classification: D14, G21, L25How to Cite:Gunarto, M., & Yanti, P. (2024). Adaptation of Islamic Finance to the Performance of MSMEs in the Halal Food Industry. Etikonomi, 23(2), 369 – xx. https://doi.org/10.15408/etk.v23i2.34271.

What explain capital structure determinants choices of Shariah firms?

This study aims to discover key capital structure determinants for the entire Shariah firms operating in dissimilar contexts. Moreover, it also estimates the adjustment speed for these firms to maintain targeted capital structures at all times. For this purpose, 321 Shariah firms that are operational in Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, the UAE, and Indonesia are nominated. The empirical analysis is conducted using 11 years, i.e., 2011-2021, of balanced Panel Data. The debt-to-asset and debt-to-equity ratios are used as variables of interest, whereas the asset tangibility ratio, current ratio, return on equity, size, non-debt-tax shield, inflation, and gross domestic product are used as explanatory variables. The robust estimator, i.e., Generalized Method of Moments (GMM), is executed to perform the analysis. The results show that the most important factors for Shariah-tagged firms are inflation, the gross domestic product, the asset ratio, the return on equity, the non-debt tax shield, and the lagged dependent variables. The important role of asset tangibility, lagged variables, and the presence of adjustment speed postulate that Shariah-tagged firms are following the provided guidelines of Dynamic Trade-Off theory to preserve capital structure. The findings are a new contribution to the limited empirical inquiries of Shariah firms’ capital structure and a fresh addition to Islamic Finance literature. Besides, the outcomes are also helpful for policymakers and assist them in developing an optimal model of capital structure for Shariah-tagged firms that decreases overall capital costs and enhances these firms’ market value.

Fintech in islamic finance literature: A review

This literature review examines the role of fintech in the context of Islamic finance. Through a systematic analysis of relevant literature, this research highlights the contribution of fintech in improving Islamic financial services as well as the challenges faced in the integration process. These findings indicate that although fintech has opened the door to innovation in the Islamic finance industry, there is still a need to overcome barriers related to sharia compliance and consumer protection. Therefore, this research underlines the importance of a careful and planned approach in integrating fintech with Islamic finance principles.

Ethnomethodology Approach in Investment Decision Making in Islamic Capital Market: An Interaction and Social Practice of Market Participants

This study aims to investigate and analyze social interactions and social practices underlying investment decision-making in the Islamic capital market. The research focus includes an understanding of how Islamic values are reflected in the interaction of market participants, the communication practices used, and the impact of social context on investment decision-making. This research uses qualitative methods with an ethnomethodological approach through participatory observation, in-depth interviews, and document analysis. Researchers are involved in the daily activities of market participants, whether on the stock exchange, Islamic finance seminars, or investment forums. In-depth interviews were conducted with investors, brokers, and Islamic finance experts to gain a more in-depth perspective. The document analysis includes a study of Islamic finance literature, fatwas, and related documents. The results showed that social interaction and social practices of market participants have a significant role in making investment decisions in the Islamic capital market. Communication practices based on Islamic values play a key role in the decision-making process. The social and cultural context also influences investors’ perceptions and preferences towards Islamic financial instruments. These findings provide deep contextual insights into the factors influencing investment decisions in Islamic capital markets, which can be the foundation for the development of Islamic ethics-based investment strategies.

RISK PERCEPTION AND INVESTMENT INTENTION IN ISLAMIC BANKS' TERM DEPOSITS: AN EMPIRICAL STUDY IN MOROCCO

<p>This study focuses on the impact of risk perception on the intention to invest in Islamic banks' term deposits in Morocco. Using quantitative methodologies, including statistical analysis, Cronbach's reliability tests, and structural equation modelling, the study assesses the influence of various factors, including perceived quality and perceived value, on the intention to invest. Contrary to expectations and the existing literature, the results suggest that risk perception has no statistically significant effect on the intention to invest in these financial products. However, perceived value shows a significant relationship with intention to invest, indicating its crucial role in financial decision-making within this specific context. These results have important implications for Islamic banks, policymakers, and researchers, as they challenge the conventional emphasis on risk perception in the Islamic finance literature. The results suggest that other factors, such as perceived quality and value, may play a more influential role in the intention to invest in Islamic term deposits.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong>JEL</strong>: G11, G 21, Z12, D81</p><p> </p><p><strong> Article visualizations:</strong></p><p><img src="/-counters-/soc/0101/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /></p>

Overcoming the Global Economic Crisis in The Perspective of Islamic Finance

This paper makes a connection between the global financial crisis and an Islamic financial model. The goal is to downplay the severity and frequency of the financial crisis by sharing risk among financial participants. This is accomplished through a system of shared credit creation. When purchasing real goods and services from people who have them and need to sell, people are given access to credit that they can use to buy what they need. Both sellers and buyers want to receive delivery of their purchased items, so the system creates economic growth through increased credit availability. Studying Islamic finance literature allows people to explore the possibilities and restrictions of inherited situations. This leads to new financial design solutions for the current financial crisis as well as future financial collapses. It also uses critical thinking and analysis to create new possibilities and constraints in situations. New financial systems should use a business model based on shared profits and losses. This was based on academic studies and doesn’t include any real-world testing. By incorporating Islamic financial principles into business practices, a new financial model could help finance businesses. This alternate system for the banking system could help control our financial system and encourage economic growth through more controlled credit expansion TRANSLATE with x EnglishArabicHebrewPolishBulgarianHindiPortugueseCatalanHmong DawRomanianChinese SimplifiedHungarianRussianChinese TraditionalIndonesianSlovakCzechItalianSlovenianDanishJapaneseSpanishDutchKlingonSwedishEnglishKoreanThaiEstonianLatvianTurkishFinnishLithuanianUkrainianFrenchMalayUrduGermanMalteseVietnameseGreekNorwegianWelshHaitian CreolePersian // TRANSLATE with COPY THE URL BELOW Back EMBED THE SNIPPET BELOW IN YOUR SITE Enable collaborative features and customize widget: Bing Webmaster PortalBack// This page is in English Translate to Indonesian AfrikaansAlbanianAmharicArabicArmenianAzerbaijaniBengaliBulgarianCatalanCroatianCzechDanishDutchEnglishEstonianFinnishFrenchGermanGreekGujaratiHaitian CreoleHebrewHindiHungarianIcelandicIndonesianItalianJapaneseKannadaKazakhKhmerKoreanKurdish (Kurmanji)LaoLatvianLithuanianMalagasyMalayMalayalamMalteseMaoriMarathiMyanmar (Burmese)NepaliNorwegianPashtoPersianPolishPortuguesePunjabiRomanianRussianSamoanSimplified ChineseSlovakSlovenianSpanishSwedishTamilTeluguThaiTraditional ChineseTurkishUkrainianUrduVietnameseWelsh Always translate English to IndonesianPRO Never translate English Never translate ejournal.iainpalopo.ac.id

Does sharia-compliant debt financing reduce stock price crash risk?

PurposeThis paper examines the impact of sharia-compliant debt financing on stock price crash risk. Unlike those previous studies that took Sukuk or sharia-compliant firms, this study tests the impact of the proportion reported sharia-compliant debt financing in the balance sheet on the risk of price crash of a firm.Design/methodology/approachUsing the data from 2,752 firm-year observations of 344 Malaysian non-financial listed companies from 2012 to 2019, this article used a robust panel data estimation technique for statistical inferences. This study also employs panel GMM and quantile least squares as the robustness check.FindingsThis study established a negative relationship between sharia-compliant debt financing and stock price crash risk. The robustness checks with different estimation techniques confirm the results. It implies that firms with a more significant proportion of Sharia-compliant financing tend to have lower future stock price crash risk.Practical implicationsConsistent with the Islamic finance literature, the present study contributes to the existing literature on Islamic capital markets from the perspective of stock price crash risk because it is vital for risk management and investment decision-making as a measure of tail risk for stocks. The findings of this research will assist investors in developing portfolio strategies that incorporate firms with higher levels of sharia-compliant debt financing in their balance sheets. Additionally, the results of this study suggest that policymakers and regulatory bodies should consider revising their monitoring approaches for publicly listed firms.Originality/valueThis study is interesting and unique, as it is a pioneer in testing the impact of sharia-compliant debt financing on reducing stock price crash risk.

Hiyal (Legal Stratagems) in Islamic Finance: Systematic Literature Review

Purpose: The aim of this study is to systematically review the existing literature on the application of Hiyal (legal stratagems) in Islamic finance. The article visualizes the linkages between different authentic works done on the topic and how the topic has evolved through the decades. Theoretical framework: The article visualizes the linkages between different authentic works done on the topic and how the topic has evolved through the decades. Design/methodology/approach: A systematic literature review of published peer-reviewed articles on Hiyal(legal stratagems) was conducted. A comprehensive search strategy was applied to retrieved 35 articles from 25 leading journals published between 1997 and 2021. Findings: The research found that the existing knowledge on the topic especially of the current century is more focused on Riba (usury) stratagems to circumvent the prohibitions of the conventional capitalist financial system. It is because the discussion popped up as a reaction to the modern Islamic financial system, especially from traditional scholars. Malaysia and a few western countries have contributed the most to the topic. Research, Practical & Social implications: This review provides a significant contribution to Islamic finance literature by identifying the related discussions in the area and pointing the gap that need to be further explored. Originality/value: It is concluded that the literature on the topic ‘the application of Hiyal(legal stratagem in Islamic financial law” is less in numbers and not well-integrated, as the topic is still in the growing stage.

Assessing ethical praxis of ethical (Islamic) financial institutions: a survey of empirical discoveries

PurposeThis study aims to portray the ethical disposition of Islamic financial institutions (IFIs) globally by investigating the ethical gap identified in the empirical literature to date.Design/methodology/approachTwo methods of analysis used in this study are content analysis and ratio analysis. While the former was conducted to identify the main themes of empirical studies and to gauge the gap between theory and practice of ethical principles and business practice in the Islamic banking and financial industry, the latter quantified the intensity of the gap identified.FindingsThe findings indicate that global ethical practices were found to be above medial, and the South East Asian region stood out with a relatively better performance along with the subpar performance of the African region. Among the ethical parameters, the praxis of marketing ethics was found to be distinctly aligned with the principles, and the organizational ethical decision-making behaviour was held to be least harmonized with the norms.Practical implicationsThe findings of this study help researchers and regulators to better understand the issues and provide practical solutions to address the shortfalls of ethics in Islamic finance in practice.Originality/valueIn spite of the vast literature, comprehension of the overarching ethical standing of IFIs is still equivocal. This study contributes to the growing literature of ethical and/or Islamic finance primarily in two ways. Firstly, it provides a comprehensive depiction of the ethical standings of the IFIs all around the globe, which can be treated as a guiding document for regulators and industry practitioners to better understand the issues and provide practical solutions to address the shortfalls of ethics in Islamic finance in practice. Secondly, it helps researchers identify research gaps and provides a systematic direction for future studies in the area of ethics in Islamic finance.

Shariah board characteristics and Islamic banks’ performance: a meta-analysis

PurposeShariah board (SB) is a unique corporate governancemechanism in Islamic financial institutions. Over the last decade, an increasing number of studies discusses the relationship between SB and Islamic banks' (IB) performance. These researches report conflicting findings due to the heterogeneity of their samples. Therefore,the purpose of this paper is to meta-analyze the results of the previous empirical studies to assess if the differences in findings were attributable to moderating effects related either to the system of SB or the used SB variables or the variables used to identify performance.Design/methodology/approachTo examine the direct and moderating effects of SB attributes, this study uses a meta-analysis technique on a sample of 46 empirical studies, using Hunter and Schmidt’s approach followed by three exploratory moderator analyses: ROE, ROA and Tobin’ Q. Significant results are discussed.FindingsOverall, the meta-analysis findings show that there is a positive significant association between SB meetings and qualifications and IBs’ performance. In testing the moderating effects of financial performance measurement during the post-subprime crisis period, the meta-analysis findings suggest that there is a positive significant association between SB characteristics (size, qualification, reputation, interlock and expertise) and performance. The meta-analysis findings stress the importance of several SB attributes in improving IBs’ performance, especially, during the economic recovery period.Originality/valueThis paper adds significance to the extant Islamic finance literature as well as assists the appropriate stakeholders in assessing the determinants of IBs’ performance from Shariah governance perspective. It further aims to reconcile the findings of the previous studies around the world. Moreover, the findings help future research to build a comprehensive Shariah governance index for IBs.

Comovements and hedging effectiveness between conventional and Islamic cryptocurrencies: evidence from the COVID-19 pandemic

PurposeThis study examines the dynamics of the comovement and causal relationship between conventional (Bitcoin, Ethereum and Binance coin) and Islamic (OneGram, X8X token and HelloGold) cryptocurrencies.Design/methodology/approachThis study uses wavelet coherence approach to examine the time-varying lead-lag relationship between conventional and Islamic cryptocurrencies. Furthermore, the authors use BEKK-GARCH model to estimate the optimal weights, hedge ratio and hedging effectiveness in pre-COVID-19 and during the COVID-19 period.FindingsThe authors find no significant comovement in pre-COVID-19. However, the authors find significant positive comovement in conventional and Islamic cryptocurrencies at the beginning of the pandemic, and in most cases, conventional cryptocurrencies are leading. X8X and HelloGold have no/weak correlation with conventional cryptocurrencies, implying that investors can diversify the risk by making an Islamic and conventional cryptocurrencies portfolio. The authors also calculate the optimal weights, hedge ratio and hedging effectiveness using the BEKK-GARCH model. Based on the optimal weights, for the portfolios of conventional–Islamic cryptocurrencies, investors are suggested to increase their investment in Islamic cryptocurrencies during the COVID-19 than normal period. The results of hedge ratios show that hedging costs are higher during COVID-19 than before.Practical implicationsThe findings of the paper offer several practical policy implications for investors, portfolio manager, Shariah advisors and policymakers pertaining to asset allocation, risk management, forecasting and diversification. Specifically, investors can maximize the risk adjusted returns of their conventional cryptocurrencies portfolio by adding some portions of Islamic cryptocurrencies. Considering the comovement is time-varying, investors/manager should adjust their investment strategies frequently. For the entrepreneurs in crypto-industry, it is advised to introduce new Islamic cryptocurrencies, as it has a huge growth potential because of their distinct features and performance.Originality/valueThis is the first study that explores the linkages between conventional and Islamic cryptocurrencies, therefore this study extends the literature of Islamic finance, stablecoins and cryptocurrencies in pre-COVID-19 and during COVID-19 period. The study results provide insights to conventional crypto investor on how to manage their portfolio during normal and turbulent period.

FOUR NUANCES OF ISLAMIC FINANCE RESEARCH: A BIBLIOMETRIC ANALYSIS APPROACH FOR EXPLORING THE STRUCTURE OF RESEARCH

Background and Purpose: Islamic finance is an important driver of the economy for the Muslim world, particularly to the developing Muslim majority countries in Southeast Asia. Scholars continue to pay close attention to Islamic finance research because it differs from conventional finance in many ways. Islamic finance research, like other fields of study, has to take a step back to evaluate what has been accomplished, who has contributed, and what the trending research topics are throughout its development. To that end, this research aims to investigate the structure of Islamic finance research by identifying its key nuances to date.
 
 Methodology: This study uses the VOSviewer program to perform bibliometric analysis techniques, particularly the citation, bibliographic coupling, and co-word analysis, to investigate the structure of Islamic finance research. The analyses were conducted by identifying the scientific journals that have a significant impact in the field based on a sample of 1,567 articles spanning the years 1955 to 2019, or 65 years of research.
 
 Findings: The major findings of the study are the identification of the four key nuances that form the structure of Islamic finance research and the most referred publications for each of the nuances using citation, bibliometric coupling and co-word analysis. The key nuances include: 1) Bank performance, stability, corporate governance, and risk management; 2) Customer’s patronization and satisfaction factors; 3) Islamic microfinancing and social banking; and 4) Islamic capital market products and performance.
 
 Contributions: This study presents an easy-to-read network of research nuances useful for understanding the Islamic finance literature and supporting future research in this field. The study also provides practical contributions to Islamic financial institutions by showing the major areas of focus to improve or sustain them in the industry.
 
 Keywords: Bibliometric analysis, Islamic finance nuances, literature review, co-word, bibliographic coupling.
 
 Cite as: Abdullah, A. R., Abdullah, S. S., Zainuddin, S. A., Azmi, N. F., & Abdullah, T. (2023). Four nuances of Islamic finance research: A bibliometric analysis approach for exploring the structure of research. Journal of Nusantara Studies, 8(1), 158-183. http://dx.doi.org/10.24200/jonus.vol8iss1pp158-183

Exploring the development of Islamic fintech ecosystem in Indonesia: a text analytics

Purpose This study aims at two objectives, i.e. first, to identify the core elements of the Islamic fintech ecosystem, and second, to use the identified core elements to analyse the development of such an ecosystem in Indonesia. Design/methodology/approach This work combines data analytics of text mining with qualitative analysis of human intelligence in two steps. First, knowledge discovery of the Islamic fintech ecosystem’s core elements using a sample of eight academic articles totalling 102 pages and 75,082 words. Second, using the identified core elements from step one to explore such ecosystem development in Indonesia. This stage employs a sample of 11 documents totalling 371 pages and 143,032 words from cyberspace. Findings The core elements of the Islamic fintech ecosystem identified are financial customers, fintech startups, government, technology developers, traditional financial institutions and fatwa (Islamic legal opinion). Furthermore, the development of the Islamic fintech ecosystem in Indonesia is examined under these identified core elements, providing critical insights into the Islamic fintech ecosystem currently established in the country's industry. Research limitations/implications This study primarily used semi-structured data from cyberspace. Traditional approaches to qualitative data collection, e.g. focused group discussions and interviews, may be beneficial for future studies in addressing the Islamic fintech ecosystem issues. Practical implications Academia worldwide may benefit from this work in incorporating knowledge of Islamic fintech ecosystem’s core elements into Islamic finance literature. Specifically, fintech stakeholders in Indonesia may be advantaged to understand how far the Islamic fintech ecosystem has grown in the country. Social implications The rise of unethical fintech peer-to-peer lending shows social problems in Indonesia’s fintech industry. The finding derives social implications that elucidate the current state of the country’s Islamic fintech ecosystem. Originality/value Using a kind of big data (i.e. semi-structured text data) from cyberspace and applying steps of text mining combined with qualitative analysis, may contribute to the creation of novelties for qualitative research on financial issues.

Islamic finance in Kazakhstan: the view of experts

PurposeOver the past decades, Islamic finance has expanded its presence to many countries including post-Soviet region. The purpose of this paper is to empirically investigate this phenomenon in Kazakhstan by adopting qualitative sociological approach. The study also aims to provide vital information and propose recommendations for market participants to contribute to the development of Islamic finance industry in Kazakhstan.Design/methodology/approachPrimary data were gathered using the qualitative method of in-depth expert interviews with nine Islamic finance professionals representing Islamic banks, ijarah companies, funds and development institutions in Kazakhstan who occupy senior positions (directors, managers, heads of departments, etc.). Furthermore, the primary data of interviews were analyzed and processed using another qualitative method of cognitive mapping, the essence of which is to graphically display the concepts that are most often used by informants.FindingsThe study has shown that first there is a demand for Islamic finance among Kazakh business and population. At the same time, Muslims are not the only consumers of Islamic financial services; therefore, it is affordability rather than religiosity that is an important criterion for choosing Islamic finance. Second, murabaha and ijarah are the two most popular Islamic financial products in Kazakhstan, while equity-based instruments are hardly ever used. Third, Kazakhstan government policy toward Islamic finance received controversial assessments of experts: the state support is declared, but specific actions required by the market participants are not taken. Fourth, key factors that significantly limit the development of the Islamic finance market in Kazakhstan include a shortage of supply, which, in turn, is strongly associated with the second factor – limited funding of local Islamic finance institutions, the absence of insurance (or guaranteeing) system of investment accounts of the local Islamic banks, insufficient economy of scale, lack of convenient service and weak marketing policy of the existing Islamic banks and, finally, lack of educational programs.Practical implicationsThe study reveals the potential development of Islamic finance in Kazakhstan which is a rarely studied topic. The findings and recommendations of this study can be used by the regulators, market players and policymakers of Islamic finance industry in Kazakhstan, post-Soviet and other Islamic finance-oriented countries.Originality/valueThis study offers new insights on the future of Islamic finance in Kazakhstan: in long term, the development will be determined by new financial technologies – Islamic FinTech, but in short term – by Islamic windows (currently not allowed by Central Bank) that will help to significantly expand the audience, increase awareness and demand for Islamic finance among local businesses and public. The current study is original, important and up-to-date, as it uses an approach that sources primary data in the form of experts’ point of view instead of relying on literature or document analysis. It is not a mere theoretical study of the literature but an empirical investigation of the problem. Moreover, it seeks to contribute to the Islamic finance literature in the post-Soviet region, particularly from the experts’ perspective.

Cash holdings and firm performance: empirical analysis from Shariah-compliant and conventional corporations

PurposeThis paper aims to provide a comprehensive investigation into the different roles of cash holding decisions on Shariah-compliant and non-Shariah-compliant firms’ performance. Therefore, the objective of this study is to analyze the significant relationship of liquidity on Shariah- and non-Shariah-compliant corporations.Design/methodology/approachThis study sample includes non-financial firms listed in six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) markets between 2005 and 2019. The study uses panel fixed effects and the dynamic generalized method of moments (system-GMM) models to test the relationship between cash holding and firm performance. The firms’ performance is measured using four widely used proxies representing book and market measures of performance including return on assets, return on equity, earnings before interest and tax to total assets and Tobin’s Q.FindingsThe results explore that the nature of the relationship between cash holdings and performance varies across Shariah-compliant and non-Shariah-compliant firms. Specifically, cash holdings are positively and significantly related to Shariah-compliant firms’ performance. However, cash reserves are not significantly related to conventional firms’ performance. These findings indicate that Shariah-compliant firms rely more on their cash holdings to avoid costly and less available external financing, meet everyday business needs and invest in profitable projects. In contrast, the value for cash holding is less important for non-Shariah-compliant firms, as their external financing options are less restricted compared to Shariah-compliant firms.Research limitations/implicationsThis study is not free from limitations. More specifically, the sample of this study comprises of firms listed in GCC countries, which share common features. It would be interesting for future research to examine the linkage between cash holdings and Shariah-compliant and conventional firms’ performance by applying a larger sample, such as firms located in countries of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.Practical implicationsThe findings of this paper provide useful insights for managers and investors on the important role of cash management for Shariah-compliant firms. Policymakers and bankers need to develop Shariah-based financial products to ease Islamic financing sources. Moreover, the findings of this paper call for more research on the importance of liquidity management for Shariah-compliant firms.Originality/valueThis study extends the Islamic finance literature by exploring the key role of cash holdings to Shariah-compliant firms. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first study to investigate cash holdings and performance between Shariah-compliant and non-Shariah-compliant firms.

The effect of Islamic finance on trade in insurance services in selected countries in the Middle East region

Purpose Islamic finance is becoming a core part of the financial services economy in the Middle East countries. There is a strong likelihood that Islamic finance is also driving the expansion of trade in insurance services. However, research on Islamic finance’s effect on trade in insurance services is scant. This study aims to fill this gap by investigating if Islamic finance has promoted trade in insurance services. Design/methodology/approach This study adopts the gravity modelling framework and the panel data estimation procedure in understanding the effects of Islamic finance on trade in insurance. Findings The empirical results reveal a statistically significant positive correlation of Islamic finance with the exports and imports of insurance services. Economic sizes (domestic and trading partners), growth in trading partners, cost of doing business, legal rights and financial freedom are other statistically significant determinants. Research limitations/implications It makes a positive contribution to the Islamic financial services literature. Islamic finance is an integral part of the conventional banking and financial sector in the Middle East that actively fosters the expansion of insurance services that need support, given its essential role in services trade. Originality/value This study is unique as it directs attention to the role of Islamic finance in fostering trade in insurance services within an inclusive modelling framework that has been overlooked in the Islamic finance literature.

Some observations on contemporary financial proposals

PurposeThis paper aims to discuss the views of scholarship in South Asia regarding Riba and Riba-free finance, including the conservative and realist schools in mainstream thought and the assimilative and interpretive schools in liberal thought.Design/methodology/approachThe paper uses textual analysis to critically review the writings of scholars in South Asia on contemporary issues regarding Riba and Riba-free finance. It provides a critical review in the light of Islamic jurisprudence and extant Islamic economics literature.FindingsThere are several characteristics in conventional banking and finance products that do not comply with Islamic teachings. In this scenario, Islamic banking is comparatively a better alternative to conventional banking and finance products to achieve Shari’ah compliance and avoid indulging in Riba.Practical implicationsVoluntary financial exclusion to avoid Riba is significant in Muslim-majority countries. Increased penetration of Islamic finance requires clarity on what is Riba and confidence in Riba-free alternatives. Outreach efforts of Islamic financial institutions use conventional banking as a frame of reference to provide a critique of interest-based banking. However, the apprehensions within the Islamic finance literature also need to be answered to change perception and enhance people’s willingness to use Islamic banking. Doing this can expedite the process of financial inclusion as well as help in the transformation of the economy on Riba-free foundations in a reasonably quick timeframe.Originality/valueThis is the first study to critically evaluate the financial proposals presented and propagated by the contemporary interpretive school in South Asia.

Islamic equity funds and stock market: dynamic relation and market timing during the COVID-19 outbreak

PurposeThis paper aims to explore the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the market timing skills of Islamic equity funds in Asia, Europe and North America.Design/methodology/approachThe authors employed a two-step process. First, a Granger causality test is applied to test the bivariate relationship between Islamic fund indices and stock market ones by highlighting the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Second, the methodology of Treynor and Mazuy (1966) is deployed to account for the market timing abilities skills of Islamic fund managers during the pandemic period.FindingsThe investigation revealed mixed results. The European Islamic funds were positively impacted by the stock market as well as by the COVID-19 pandemic context. Additionally, compared to their Asian and North American peers, only European Islamic fund managers have the ability to time the market during the health crisis period.Research limitations/implicationsDespite its contribution to the Islamic finance literature, this study has some flaws. Indeed, the selected sample of three regions, namely Asia, Europe and North America, precludes extrapolating these conclusions. Other regions should be investigated to further our understanding of Islamic equity funds. Furthermore, due to data availability and accessibility, the study period was limited to a specific time of the COVID-19 pandemic. This shortcoming can be addressed through a multiwave investigation, especially since each region was exposed differently to the pandemic.Practical implicationsThe paper provides scholars, portfolio managers and investors with insights regarding the investment dilemma during the COVID-19 pandemic period, especially for those wishing to hedge their pandemic risk exposure and/or diversify their portfolios. Equally, the depiction of potential market timing abilities of Islamic fund managers across the three regions would serve as a guide to identifying the most suitable internationally focused investment strategy.Social implicationsThe paper provides scholars, portfolio managers and investors with insights regarding the investment dilemma during the COVID-19 pandemic period, especially for those wishing to hedge their pandemic risk exposure and/or diversify their portfolios. Equally, the depiction of potential market timing abilities of Islamic funds managers across the three regions would serve as a guide to identify the most suitable internationally focused investment strategy.Originality/valueThe originality of this investigation is that it is the first to examine Islamic equity fund managers and their skills to time the stock markets during the COVID-19 pandemic period in Asia, Europe and North America. The current paper extends the Islamic finance literature.

CONTRIBUTIONS OF ISLAMIC FINANCE IN THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF TURKEY: A REVIEW

World Bank data (2009-2019) provides that Turkey has been facing economic development challenges in terms of GDP growth rate, GDP per capita, inflation rate, unemployment rate, and youth unemployment rate during the last decade. Though 2020 data is not yet available, 2019 data depicted a very challenging year for Turkey. This paper aims to review the challenges in the economic development of Turkey and provide the solutions by applying the notions of participatory finance (Islamic finance) for the development of the economic growth, per capita income, inflation rate, unemployment rate, and the youth unemployment rate of Turkey. This study applied a critical literature review analysis to explore the challenges. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development reported that Turkey observed a worsening asset quality of the banking sector, deleveraging by lenders, unstable market, reduced investor confidence, and shallow public and private investment in 2019. Similarly, the conventional finance literature illustrated prudent strategic financial decisions support in improving these issues. However, the Islamic finance literature demonstrated that interest-free financial mechanisms are comparatively more resilient and supported a sustainable economic development. Though the contributions of the participation (Islamic) finance are poor due to its size, this mechanism of finance has enormous prospect of contributions to the Turkey’s economy as demonstrated in other countries. The current Turkish government supports participation (Islamic) banking and expects to reach 15% assets by 2025.
 
 Keywords: Economic development, Islamic finance, interest-free, economic development.
 
 Cite as: Alam, M. K., & Ullah, M. H. (2022). Contributions of Islamic finance in the economic development of Turkey: A review. Journal of Nusantara Studies, 7(2), 336-357. http://dx.doi.org/10.24200/jonus.vol7iss2pp336-357