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The purpose of this study is to explore the feasibility of applying an internet‐based information system (IBIS) to facilitate business alliance activities, especially for small and median enterprises whose business performance is highly dependent on their strategic alliance partnerships.

A case study of six firms was conducted to understand current business alliance practices in Taiwan and to investigate the demand for applying IBIS systems in business alliance activities. A prototype of the IBIS system was also developed and evaluated.

We found that communication and information sharing are the most appropriate activities in business alliances for the application of an IBIS system and that the decision to adopt an IBIS system is dependent on the allied partners' support and the technological capabilities they possess. However, the lack of trust in internet security is one of the key factors that may hinder enterprises from applying the IBIS system to business alliance activities.

The prototype IBIS system was tested by two case firms. Though the test result was positive, a larger test group might be helpful in discovering ways of improving the system for practical use.

The positive result of the system evaluation supports the feasibility of applying the IBIS system to facilitate business alliance activities.

Both the IBIS system and strategic alliance are important research issues in business. However, integrative research of the two issues is seldom undertaken. This study validates the feasibility of applying the IBIS system to increase the operational efficiency of a strategic alliance.

To review the key facets of a performance measurement system (PMS) and report on the development of a new model based on the European Foundation of Quality Management (EFQM) excellence model.

The research involved detailed literature reviews and action research within the case study organisation. It involved the design of an integrated business improvement system (IBIS) that enables proactive performance measurement within an organisation.

Key performance indicators (KPIs) are now widely used in the construction industry but there is little evidence that they are being used as an integral and systematic part of an overall PMS. The approach proposed here and encapsulated in IBIS is intended to improve current practice.

The research found that the active engagement of both senior management and potential end‐users is vital for the successful design and implementation of a PMS.

The novelty of the paper lies in the detailed description of the stages followed in the development of the IBIS, and the model itself. It will be of value to researchers and business improvement managers both within and outside the construction industry

This study aims to explore and analyze the issues in weightages-based profit distribution mechanism in Islamic banks from Shari’ah, practical and regulatory perspectives.

A qualitative research approach was used in this study based on primary data collected through semi-structured interviews from Shari’ah practitioners and senior industry experts in the field of pool management in the Islamic Financial Services Industry of Pakistan.

The current study found that the weightages-based mechanism conforms to the rules of Mudarabah and; therefore, permissible. However, the elements of exploitation, transparency and fairness require further research, as these elements seem to exist in this mechanism. It was also found that there are many loopholes in the regulatory guidelines for pool management in Islamic banking institutions (IBIs) in Pakistan resulting in practical issues.

The findings of this study may help improve pool management in IBIs, which in turn may cater the objections raised by academicians, customers and industry experts. Moreover, the alternative solution based on the findings of this study can be transformed into a proposal for regulators to take necessary actions against unfair profit distribution and issue further improved guidelines for IBIs in Pakistan.

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, very limited studies have been conducted on pool management particularly with issues from different perspectives and alternative solutions have been suggested that may act as a proposal for IBIs as well as regulatory authorities.

Shari'ah governance is a major part of governance of Islamic banking institutions (IBIs). Pakistan is the country where pioneering work on Islamic banking and finance has been conducted since 1970s. Major changes were made in 2002 and then in 2015 in the Islamic banking governance framework. This chapter critically analyses as to what extent the ‘shari'ah governance framework’ (SGF) introduced by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) in 2015 could be able to ensure compliance of Islamic banks' practices with the principles of shari'ah. The SBP, the regulator of banking system, has been doing its intensive efforts to ensure shari'ah compliance, and as such the SGF introduced by it is a good ‘case study’ on the subject. By applying the descriptive and analytical methodology, it examines the strengths and weaknesses and suggests how the gaps could be filled to make the SGF really effective for achieving the objective.

The purpose of this practice note is to describe the use of the issue‐based information system (IBIS) notation to map dialogues that occur in project meetings.

A case study is used to illustrate how the technique works. A discussion highlighting the key features, benefits and limitations of the method is also presented along with a comparison of IBIS to other similar notations.

IBIS is seen to help groups focus on the issues at hand, bypassing or avoiding personal agendas, personality clashes and politics.

The technique can help improve the quality of communication in projects meetings. The case study highlights how the notation can assist project teams in developing a consensus on contentious issues in a structured yet flexible way.

IBIS has not been widely used in project management. This note illustrates its value in helping diverse stakeholders get to a shared understanding of the issues being discussed and a shared commitment to achieving them.

This chapter aims to examine Bank Negara Malaysia’s (BNM) approach in fulfilling its financial consumer protection mandate from unfair contract terms and the statutory framework relevant for consumer protection in the domestic market. This is a qualitative-based research. Using content analysis, this study analyses BNM’s Financial Stability and Payment Systems Report from 2012 to 2016, specifically on the ‘market conduct and consumer empowerment’ to explore BNM’s prudential regulatory, supervisory and consumer protection roles in protecting bank consumers from unfair contract terms. It is found that even if a number of standards and guidelines have been issued by BNM in improving ‘fairness and transparency’, the potential risk facing bank consumers from unfair terms in standard consumer contracts of Islamic banks especially where terms may be unfair or unclear remains unchanged. This study recommends that BNM as the Central Bank and financial regulator of Malaysia promotes self-regulation of the Islamic banks by adopting value-based banking of a consumer-focussed culture in delivering an effective protection for consumers from unfair contract terms and empowering them in their dealings with Islamic banks in Malaysia. This study will be helpful in bringing a policy formulation by BNM in identifying their weak areas and suggesting improvements in pursuing a strong consumer protection agenda from unfair contract terms.

This paper aims to test the main factors that affect cash waqf collection among the employees of Islamic banking institutions (IBIs) in Malaysia.

The data was gathered using a survey method from 218 employees of IBIs in Malaysia. The obtained data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software and smart partial least squares-structural equation modeling to verify the hypothesis and reach conclusions.

The results revealed that word of mouth and trust have significant positive impacts on cash waqf collection. The outcomes also confirmed that convenience and accessibility to cash waqf play significant roles in affecting cash waqf collection.

Based on the researchers’ knowledge, there are only a few studies which focused on measuring the driver of cash waqf collection from the employees’ perspective, particularly in the Malaysian context. This study specifically applies the theory of reasoned action to determine employees’ attitudes toward cash waqf fund collections in IBIs in Malaysia. Having an understanding of the factors that influence employees to contribute to cash waqf would better equip IBIs in managing their cash waqf contributions and in designing their marketing and branding strategies for promoting their institutions.

The objective of this study is to present a theoretical framework, which helps ascertain the meanings of the Sharīʿah audit quality and identify the factors that affect it.

The current literature of conventional and Islamic finance on audit quality is critically reviewed to propose the theoretical framework for the quality of Sharīʿah audit.

The paper suggests that for a better Sharīʿah compliance at Islamic banking institutions (IBIs), the role of audit practitioners is very much indispensable. The competency of the practitioner is one of the important factors that affect the quality of the Sharīʿah audit. Assessment and identification of Sharīʿah risk in different financial arrangements, contracts and transactions require a unique competency on the part of the auditor, that is, gripping Sharīʿah law besides traditional assurance skills and techniques.

The Sharīʿah compliance is one of the primary objectives of IBIs, which works at the conceptual level, product development and implementation level, various business models and governance level. Sharīʿah audit function, internal or external, is an important component of Sharīʿah governance framework and provides an independent assessment of IBIs’ compliance with the Sharīʿah rules and principles and helps in managing the Sharīʿah non-compliance risk and ensuring sound internal Sharīʿah control system.

The paper proposes a theoretical framework for defining the Sharīʿah audit quality and determining the factors that are significant in affecting the Sharīʿah audit quality in the IBIs of Pakistan.

The early stages of projects are often characterised by ambiguity arising from differences in stakeholder views regarding project rationale and objectives. The purpose of this paper is to present a viewpoint on how to build a shared understanding of project goals and thus reach a shared commitment to achieving them. One of the ways to achieve shared understanding is through open dialogue, free from political and other constraints. The authors call an environment that fosters such dialogue a holding environment. The main aim is to illustrate, via a case study: how an alliance‐based approach to projects can foster a holding environment; and how argument visualisation tools such as IBIS (Issue‐Based Information System) can be used to clarify different points of view and options within such an environment.

Following a discussion of theoretical background and literature review, an alliancing case study is used to illustrate the development of a holding environment and demonstrate the utility of IBIS in the creation of such an environment.

It is seen that an alliance‐based approach to projects can provide the foundation for a holding environment. IBIS is seen to facilitate the building of shared understanding by making arguments explicit and capturing decision rationale.

The paper outlines a practical framework for improving the quality of dialogue and achieving stakeholder commitment on projects.

Achieving shared understanding and commitment to action is difficult, particularly in the early stages of projects. The paper outlines the conditions and techniques needed to facilitate this via a non‐trivial case study.

The purpose of this article is to describe how a leading medical centre used an industrial methodology to develop employees, improve operational effectiveness and reduce costs.

It presents a case study describing the journey undertaken by the University Medical Centre Groningen (UMCG) in the Northern Netherlands as – in partnership with IBIS uVA – it embedded Lean Six Sigma (LSS) as an integral part of the hospital’s culture, structure and procedures.

Back in 2007, the UMCG knew they had problems that were beyond their control: the growing demands of an ageing population; fewer nurses; increasing costs of medical materials; and financial cuts made by the Dutch government. In spite of these difficulties, they were determined to maintain and improve service delivery to patients, academia and research. To do this, they collaborated with IBIS UvA – part of the Amsterdam Business School. The idea was to train staff in the implementation of the LSS process – something IBIS has been doing for more than 20 years – in industry and in healthcare.

It shows how an evidence-based approach to reviewing and improving procedures not only resulted in more efficient use of resources, but also improved the patient experience.

It draws attention to the potentially unsettling effects of widespread changes in working practices on employees. It also explains how a comprehensive communication strategy was used to deal with this risk.

It highlights the use of a methodology traditionally associated with cost reduction in industry as a way to achieve professional development and operational excellence in healthcare.