Low levels of financial literacy and poor financial management practices are still the main problems faced by micro, small and medium enterprises that are based on community and religious organizations. Problems with unorganized financial recording systems, in addition to the inability to separate business from personal finances, are obstacles to obtaining financing as well as making appropriate business decisions. The community service program is intended to improve the financial management capacity of micro, small and medium enterprises based at the Al-Muhajirat Mosque Taklim Assembly in Biring Romang Village, Makassar City through practical training on basic accounting. The method used is lectures, tutorials, and discussions tailored to the needs of partners with a participatory approach. The evaluation was carried out using participatory observation, case studies as well as post-training assessments to measure the effectiveness of the program. The results showed a significant increase in participants' ability to record transactions, implement a simple accounting cycle, and separate business from personal finances. Participants can also prepare basic financial reports for decision-making purposes. This program strengthens MSMEs' readiness for more accountable, transparent, and sustainable financial management.

The rapid advancement of digital technology has transformed the banking and finance sector, creating new opportunities to promote sustainability while improving operational efficiency and customer service. However, financial institutions continue to face increasing pressure to reduce environmental impact, enhance transparency, and support financial inclusion. This study explores how emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, the Internet of Things (IoT), and digital banking platforms contribute to sustainable banking and financial practices. The research is conducted within the context of growing global concern over climate change, environmental responsibility, and ethical financial operations. A mixed-method researchdesign was adopted, combining quantitative and qualitative approaches. Primary data were collected through structured questionnaires distributed among banking professionals and customers. The collected data were analysed using descriptive statistical methods, including percentages, frequencies, and graphical representation, to identify trends and relationships between technology adoption and sustainability outcomes.

ABSTRACT The JinShe Community Financial Education Project launched in 2021. Grounded in the Financial Capability and Asset Building (FCAB) framework, it addresses financial capability gaps among vulnerable populations through a “dual-track empowerment” approach targeting access, knowledge, skills, attitudes, and behaviours. The project established a rigorous “training + supervision + support” financial social worker cultivation system. Service delivery operates through embedded stations employing diverse methods. As of April 2025, the project expanded to 84 communities across 29 cities. It trained 164 social workers and over 550 volunteers, delivering 950+ activities to 200,000+ residents. Evaluation results show significant improvements: financial capability scores increased by 14.2%, fraud identification accuracy rose from 56.8% to 75.4%, appropriate investment selection increased from 58.7% to 74.8%, and credit card overdue rates declined from 9.1% to 4.0%. The JinShe Project offers a robust model and contribute to a “distinctively Chinese approach” with global applicability. 金社工程——社区金融教育项目设立于2021年，旨在探索金融教育本土化模式。该项目以金融能力与资产建设为理论指导，采用“双轨赋能”路径，从机会获取、知识普及、技能培养、态度塑造和行为改变五个维度入手提升社区弱势群体金融能力。 项目构建起金融教育多方协作模式，对项目社工建立”培训+督导+支持”培养体系，建立社区嵌入式金融教育服务站，广泛采用情景模拟、角色扮演、金融桌游等互动式教学方法。截至2025年4月，项目已拓展至29个城市84社区，培养164名社工和550余名志愿者，开展950余场活动，惠及20万居民。评估显示，参与居民的金融能力得分提升14.2%，诈骗识别率从56.8%升至75.4%，投资适当率从58.7%增至74.8%，信用卡逾期率从9.1%降至4.0%。金社工程将金融教育建构为嵌入社区日常生活的社会性实践，形成了具有鲜明中国特色且具备全球适用性的金融社会工作实践路径。

Financial management is vital for the sustainability and credibility of faith-based organisations. In Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) churches, it is tied to spiritual nourishment, as transparent, ethical stewardship boosts trust and sustains investment in faith and outreach. This review synthesises the evidence on financial management in Kenyan SDA churches and evaluates its impact on spiritual nourishment and church vitality. Using a PRISMA-aligned protocol, English literature (2018–2025) was sourced from Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar with Boolean keywords on financial governance, stewardship, transparency, accountability, and spiritual nourishment; reference lists were manually searched. Two independent reviewers screened studies with consensus resolution, data were extracted using a standardised form, methodological quality was appraised using design-appropriate checklists, and findings were synthesised narratively with quantitative trend descriptions. The synthesis shows systemic financial governance weaknesses: approximately 60% of churches lack clear, accessible financial records; nearly 50% do not conduct regular audits or maintain oversight committees; under 40% implement formal budgets aligned with spiritual priorities, leading to faith-development program underfunding; and fewer than 25% use secure digital platforms for tithes and offerings, relying on manual processes and insecure methods. Across studies, these deficiencies are consistently linked to suspicion, reduced member engagement, leadership distraction from core mission work, and weakened spiritual cohesion, reflecting a disconnect between financial practice and SDA stewardship values. Integrating stewardship, resource dependency, and spiritual leadership perspectives, augmented by the 4S model, suggests that improving reporting, budgeting discipline, internal controls, ethical leadership capacity, and secure digital adoption can restore trust and support spiritual nourishment. However, these conclusions are tempered by heterogeneous study designs and reliance on secondary evidence, highlighting the need for more primary research in Kenyan SDA settings.

Financial literacy and financial management practices of school heads in Occidental Mindoro

The increasing accumulation of Styrofoam waste has become a serious environmental concern due to its non-biodegradable properties and the lack of effective disposal and recycling pathways. Micro- and small-scale enterprises play a strategic role in addressing this issue at the local level, including UD Tiga Putra in Gresik, Indonesia, which is actively involved in Styrofoam waste processing. Before the implementation of this community engagement program, the enterprise encountered several operational challenges, such as the use of outdated processing equipment, limited production capacity, and inadequate managerial and occupational safety practices. In particular, the existing Styrofoam melting machine, with a capacity of 150 kg per day, frequently experienced technical failures and resulted in recycled products of inconsistent quality. To address these constraints, a community partnership program was developed by integrating technological upgrading, occupational health and safety improvement, and managerial capacity strengthening. A newly designed appropriate-technology Styrofoam melting machine with a capacity of 300 kg per day was introduced, leading to a substantial increase in production efficiency and operational stability. This technological enhancement was complemented by structured training on workplace safety, including the proper use of fire extinguishers and personal protective equipment, as well as mentoring on systematic financial record-keeping practices. The program outcomes indicate improved operational reliability, enhanced safety awareness among workers, and greater financial transparency. Overall, the findings demonstrate that an integrated, community-based approach can effectively enhance the resilience and competitiveness of small recycling enterprises while supporting circular economy initiatives and sustainable local economic development.

Financial Management Practices and Profitability of Deposit-Taking Savings and Credit Cooperative Societies in Nyeri County, Kenya

Background: The rapid proliferation of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies has fundamentally transformed financial risk management practices globally. Emerging markets face unique challenges including data scarcity, regulatory fragmentation, institutional volatility, and heightened systemic risks. While AI offers unprecedented opportunities for enhanced risk assessment, fraud detection, and decision support, its application in emerging market contexts remains underexplored and fragmented across disciplinary boundaries. Objectives: This scoping review systematically maps the landscape of AI-driven financial risk management and decision intelligence in emerging markets. Specifically, it aims to: (1) identify the range and nature of AI techniques applied to financial risk domains; (2) synthesize evidence on their effectiveness, implementation challenges, and contextual adaptations; (3) examine the integration of decision intelligence frameworks; (4) highlight research gaps and future directions for theory, practice, and policy. Methods: Following the Arksey and O'Malley framework enhanced by Levac et al., we conducted a comprehensive literature search across four major databases (SciSpace, Google Scholar, ArXiv) covering publications from 2019 to 2025. After deduplication and relevance-based screening, 64 unique studies were retained and analyzed. Data extraction focused on AI methodologies, application domains, geographic contexts, performance outcomes, and decision support mechanisms. Thematic synthesis was employed to identify major patterns and knowledge clusters. Results: Five major themes emerged: (1) Machine Learning for Credit Risk Assessment and Financial Inclusion; (2) Deep Learning and Neural Networks for Market Prediction and Volatility Forecasting; (3) Natural Language Processing and Sentiment Analysis for Decision Support; (4) AI-Based Fraud Detection and Operational Risk Management; and (5) Explainable AI, Regulatory Technology, and Governance Frameworks. The review reveals significant heterogeneity in methodological rigor, limited empirical validation in emerging market settings, and nascent integration of decision intelligence principles. Performance improvements range from 15% to 35% over traditional methods, with neural networks and ensemble methods demonstrating superior predictive accuracy. Conclusion: AI-driven approaches show substantial promise for enhancing financial risk management in emerging markets, particularly in credit scoring, fraud detection, and market forecasting. However, critical gaps persist in explainability, regulatory alignment, ethical governance, and context-specific validation. Future research must prioritize hybrid human-AI decision frameworks, robust evaluation in diverse emerging market contexts, and development of regulatory technology solutions that balance innovation with systemic stability.

ABSTRACT Background of study: The growing global concern regarding environmental sustainability has encouraged companies to integrate sustainable finance and transparency practices into corporate strategies. Green Finance and Sustainability Disclosure have become important instruments in supporting long-term corporate value creation. Aims and scope of paper: This study aims to examine the effect of Green Finance and Capital Structure on Firm Value with Sustainability Disclosure acting as a mediating variable. The research focuses on understanding how sustainable financial practices contribute to corporate valuation. Methods: This study aims to examine the effect of Green Finance and Capital Structure on Firm Value with Sustainability Disclosure acting as a mediating variable. The research focuses on understanding how sustainable financial practices contribute to corporate valuation. Result: The findings indicate that Green Finance has a positive and significant effect on Firm Value and Sustainability Disclosure. Capital Structure does not directly influence Firm Value but significantly affects Sustainability Disclosure. Furthermore, Sustainability Disclosure partially mediates the relationship between Green Finance and Firm Value. Conclusion: The results suggest that Green Finance enhances Firm Value both directly and indirectly through improved Sustainability Disclosure. Integrating sustainable financing with transparent sustainability reporting is essential for strengthening investor confidence and supporting long-term corporate performance.

Purpose: This study examines the role of Accounting Information Systems (AIS) in supporting the sustainability of consumer cooperatives at KPRI SEHAT Rembang. Research Method: A descriptive qualitative approach was employed. Data were collected through interviews, observation, and documentation involving the cooperative’s chairman, treasurer, and employees. The data were analyzed using data reduction, data display, and conclusion drawing, with triangulation applied to ensure validity. Results and Discussion: The findings indicate that KPRI SEHAT Rembang has implemented an AIS based on Microsoft Excel to record transactions, manage savings and loans, and prepare financial statements. Although the system remains relatively simple and semi-manual, it has been applied consistently and provides financial information to support administrative activities, reporting, SHU calculation, and managerial decision-making. Implications: The study suggests that even a simple AIS can strengthen financial management practices and contribute to cooperative sustainability. Further research may explore the effectiveness of more integrated digital accounting systems in improving cooperative performance.

This study aims to analyze the effect of digital wallet usage on the efficiency of financial record-keeping among culinary MSMEs in Gowa Regency. The background of this research is based on the low level of systematic financial recording practices among MSMEs, alongside the increasing use of digital financial technology in business transactions. This study employs a quantitative approach using a survey method by distributing questionnaires to 100 culinary MSME actors in Gowa Regency. The data analysis technique used is Partial Least Square (PLS) with the assistance of SmartPLS software, through the evaluation of the outer model and inner model. The results show that all indicators have met the criteria of validity and reliability, with loading factor values above 0.70 and Average Variance Extracted (AVE) values above 0.50. Furthermore, the findings indicate that digital wallet usage has a positive and significant effect on the efficiency of financial record-keeping, with a path coefficient value of 0.847. The R-Square value of 0.717 indicates that the variable explains 71.7% of the variation in financial record-keeping efficiency.

The utilization of cash waqf as an instrument for sustainable madrasah education in Indonesia still faces significant obstacles, rooted in low literacy and understanding among the academic community. This condition is triggered by the lack of systematic integration of cash waqf material into the curriculum, as well as the lack of contextual teaching materials that can connect classical Islamic jurisprudence doctrine with modern social finance practices. This policy paper aims to formulate a strategy for mainstreaming cash waqf as a strategic issue in the madrasah education system to create financial independence for the institution. The policy methodology applied is a descriptive qualitative analysis through an Evidence-Based Policy Making (EBPM) approach, which includes a systematic literature review, a comparative analysis of regulations between Law Number 41 of 2004 concerning Waqf and national curriculum standards, and stakeholder mapping. The analysis shows that without a clear formulation of competencies in the domains of knowledge, attitudes, and practical skills, cash waqf will continue to be viewed as peripheral, supplementary material. The study recommends three key policy interventions: reorienting Graduate Competency Standards (SKL) to prioritize philanthropic literacy, developing digital modules based on investment instruments such as Cash Waqf Linked Sukuk (CWLS), and institutionalizing waqf management units as practical laboratories in madrasas. This integrated strategy is expected to transform madrasas from mere educational subjects into centers of an accountable Islamic philanthropic ecosystem, while equipping students with financial literacy relevant to future economic challenges.

This study investigates the impact of financial vulnerability on individuals’ healthy financial behavior amidst economic challenges, addressing a critical yet underexplored area in existing research. Emphasizing the psychological mechanisms, it examines the mediating role of financial stress in the relationship between financial vulnerability and healthy financial behavior. The study also explores the moderating role of financial literacy through a moderated mediation analysis. Findings reveal that financial vulnerability positively influences healthy financial behavior, with financial stress playing a significant mediating role. In addition, individuals with high financial literacy are better equipped to mitigate the adverse effects of financial vulnerability on financial stress, enabling them to cope effectively with financial challenges. The practical implications provide insights for financial institutions to design tailored financial products and strategies that promote responsible financial practices, enhance well-being, and empower individuals based on their literacy levels. This study contributes to understanding financial decision-making in turbulent economic times.

Purpose Rotating Savings and Credit Associations (ROSCAs) are critical community-based/informal financial mechanisms, especially in underserved markets. Despite their enduring relevance, ROSCAs remain underexplored. This study aims to systematically map and synthesize 50 years of ROSCA-related scholarship, highlighting intellectual structures, thematic trajectories and emerging research opportunities relevant to financial inclusion and grassroots finance. Design/methodology/approach A bibliometric analysis was conducted using 177 peer-reviewed articles indexed in Scopus from 1973 to 2024. We employed the PRISMA protocol for article selection and utilized Bibliometrix (R package) for performance, network and thematic evolution analysis. Key indicators such as citation trends, co-authorship patterns and co-word clusters were visualized and interpreted. Findings Four dominant thematic clusters emerged: (1) informal financial practices and saving behavior; (2) ROSCAs as vehicles for social capital and gender empowerment; (3) developmental finance in low-income economies and (4) trust, reciprocity and group enforcement mechanisms. The analysis also traces the field's intellectual progression from descriptive ethnographies toward theoretical and digital financial inclusion discourses. Practical implications Findings offer insights for marketers and financial service providers targeting unbanked populations. ROSCAs provide scalable models for inclusive financial innovation, relationship marketing and culturally embedded service design. This study supports the integration of ROSCAs into mobile banking, agent banking and trust-based community outreach strategies. Originality/value This is the first comprehensive bibliometric review focused exclusively on ROSCAs. By bridging informal finance and banking marketing, it offers a strategic roadmap for future academic inquiry and innovation in inclusive financial services.

This community service activity aims to improve financial transparency and tax compliance among Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) through the implementation of a simple accounting system based on SAK-EMKM and a digital Accounting Information System (AIS). The activity was held on November 22, 2025, at Universitas Pelita Bangsa, involving 13 MSME entrepreneurs from Bekasi Regency. The method used was a participatory training approach consisting of theoretical socialization, financial recording simulations, and discussions on tax awareness. The results of the activity showed a significant improvement in participants' ability to record transactions, prepare simple financial statements, and understand tax obligations. Additionally, the activity successfully encouraged the formation of an active local learning community, with some participants taking on the role of community leaders. These community leaders contributed to strengthening financial accountability practices among MSMEs. Overall, the implementation of a simple accounting system based on standards and technology proved to be effective in enhancing transparency and tax compliance, providing a sustainable positive impact on MSMEs in terms of financial management and tax obligations.

Abstract Behavioural finance has traditionally conceptualised investor behaviour through the lens of cognitive bias and decision error. While valuable, this perspective underexamines the structured and relational role of emotion within professional financial advice. This study moves beyond behavioural bias by developing a process-based taxonomy of client emotional expression grounded in longitudinal field evidence. Drawing on 1,236 recorded client interactions collected over a four-year period within a defined Australian financial planning practice, the research systematically classifies emotional expressions across four stages of the advice process: Discovery, Strategy Development, Implementation, and Review. Using a structured qualitative coding framework with inter-rater reliability safeguards and blinded assessment procedures, the study identifies recurring primary, secondary, and interactive emotional categories and maps their distribution across the advice lifecycle. Findings demonstrate that client emotions are not random or episodic; rather, they cluster predictably according to process stage and often follow identifiable transition pathways (e.g., anxiety to trust, confusion to relief). The analysis further reveals the presence of relational emotions - such as conditional trust, reassurance, and identity affirmation - that are co-constructed within adviser-client interaction and are not adequately captured in traditional behavioural finance models. By developing a structured taxonomy of emotional expression specific to financial planning, this research advances the vocabulary and classification of emotion in applied financial contexts. The resulting framework provides a replicable foundation for future empirical testing, informs emotional intelligence training for advisers, and offers a basis for process-sensitive engagement strategies that strengthen trust formation, decision quality, and long-term adherence to financial plans. In doing so, the study positions financial advice not merely as a technical decision-making exercise, but as a staged emotional regulation process integral to durable client outcomes.

Governments allocate substantial financial resources to secondary education to enhance learning quality and institutional development. These resources require prudent management through effective financial control systems to ensure accountability, transparency, and optimal utilization. However, audit reports in public secondary schools in Kenya persistently reveal financial mismanagement, weak procurement practices, inadequate infrastructure, and recurring fiscal crises. This study examined how financial control practices shape financial management performance in public secondary schools in Kenya. The study was anchored in Systems Theory. A concurrent nested design was employed within a mixed-methods research approach. The target population comprised 239 public secondary schools in Kericho County, from which a stratified sample of 72 schools (30%) was selected. Units of observation included 72 principals, 72 bursars, 72 student presidents, one County School Auditor, and 24 Boards of Management chairpersons. Stratified, purposive, and simple random sampling techniques were utilized. Data were collected through questionnaires, interview guides, and document analysis. Instrument validity was established through content and construct validation, while reliability was assessed using Cronbach's alpha. Quantitative data were analyzed using inferential statistical techniques; qualitative data were analyzed thematically and presented through tables, figures, and emergent themes. Findings revealed weak implementation of financial management policies, limited stakeholder involvement, and inadequate enforcement of financial control mechanisms across many secondary schools. The study concluded that effective financial control significantly influences financial management outcomes in public secondary schools. It recommends that the Ministry of Education and Boards of Management strengthen financial control structures, clearly delineate the authority and responsibilities of school bursars within institutional hierarchies, and enhance stakeholder participation in financial oversight. This study contributes original empirical evidence underscoring the critical role of robust financial control systems in advancing accountability and sound financial management in public secondary schools.

This study examines the evolving role of the Gujarat International Finance Tec-City International Financial Services Centre (GIFT-IFSC) as a strategic platform for entrepreneurship, innovation, and sustainable finance in India. While existing literature primarily emphasizes regulatory integration and global capital connectivity, this paper highlights the critical contribution of professional service providers, particularly legal professionals and cost and management accountants, in strengthening the entrepreneurial ecosystem, supporting fintech innovation, and advancing sustainability-oriented financial practices. Drawing on a doctrinal and comparative analytical approach, the study evaluates the institutional and regulatory framework established under the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) Act, 2019, alongside comparative insights from leading international financial centres. The findings indicate that professional services function as essential enablers of startup development, cross-border financial structuring, regulatory compliance, and ESG-aligned investment flows. However, the current framework underutilizes their potential as standalone financial services, thereby limiting their strategic contribution to innovation-led growth. The study identifies regulatory, institutional, and operational gaps that constrain the integration of entrepreneurship and sustainable finance within the GIFT-IFSC ecosystem. It further proposes policy reforms aimed at expanding the scope of professional services, enhancing regulatory clarity, strengthening sustainability frameworks, and promoting global competitiveness. The paper concludes that strengthening professional service enablement can reposition GIFT-IFSC beyond a conventional financial hub into a comprehensive ecosystem for entrepreneurship, innovation, and sustainable economic development, thereby supporting India’s long-term growth and global financial integration.

ABSTRACT Nonprofits are commonly advised to minimize overhead, maintain fiscal leanness, diversify revenue streams, and avoid debt. The problem is that adhering to these financial management practices may not always result in positive outcomes; instead, it may lead to unforeseen consequences. Using a unique dataset that consists of 938 organizations from Minnesota, this study examines whether nonprofits adopting the four widely implemented financial management practices are associated with securing larger grant amounts and/or a greater number of government grants. Our analysis results indicate that maintaining fiscal leanness is associated with receiving a greater number of state government grants, and diversifying revenue streams can attract larger amounts of state government funding. However, efforts to minimize overhead and/or avoid debt do not consistently yield comparable funding advantages. Government responses to these financial management practices appear more complex than previously assumed. Our findings have important implications for nonprofit financial management and for government funding decisions.

Micro and small enterprises played a crucial role in sustaining domestic economic stability; however, many businesses still relied on manual financial recording practices that limited accuracy and decision making. Warkop Motekar, a micro-scale coffee shop, experienced similar challenges due to the absence of structured digital bookkeeping and concerns regarding subscription-based accounting software costs. This community service project aimed to transform manual bookkeeping into a digital financial management system using Microsoft Excel as a free and accessible tool. The program was conducted from January to February 2026 through three stages: preparation, implementation, and evaluation. A customized Excel-based system named “Motekar Digital Finance” was designed and applied through one-on-one coaching sessions. The system integrated general journal entries, ledger, trial balance, income statement, and statement of financial position with automated formulas. The implementation results showed improved recording consistency, clear separation between cost of goods sold and operating expenses, and the generation of accurate financial statements. In January 2026, the business recorded a net profit and demonstrated a healthy financial position without liabilities. The evaluation stage indicated stable system usage and enhanced financial literacy. The transformation strengthened pricing accuracy, liquidity control, reinvestment planning, and overall business credibility, thereby increasing the enterprise’s sustainability and readiness for formal financing access.