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An investigation into the financial sustainability of Islamic Saving, Credit Cooperative Society (SACCOS) in Tanzania

Mariam Swalehe Said (Department of Accounting, International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)
Hairul Azlan Annuar (Department of Accounting, International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)
Hamdino Bin Hamdan (Department of Finance, International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)

International Journal of Ethics and Systems

ISSN: 2514-9369

Article publication date: 23 January 2019

Issue publication date: 6 June 2019

829

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to assess the financial sustainability of Islamic Saving Credit Corporative Society (SACCOS) and the factor(s) affecting their financial sustainability in the Tanzanian context.

Design/methodology/approach

The data set used in this study comes from four SACCOS audited financial reports from the year 2010 to 2014 and from interviews with SACCOS’s management.

Findings

The study found that the IMFIs in Tanzania are not financially sustainable. Additionally, having responsible staff members, regular review of financial guidelines, education to members, cooperation between employees and management and staff training are found to be highly contributing factors towards SACCOS’s financial sustainability. Moreover, the findings reveal that depending on the single source of income, i.e., charges on members contributed much in these SACCOS’s not being financially sustainable.

Research limitations/implications

Only two available registered Islamic SACCOS was used. Additionally, conventional SACCOS have been in service provision for a long time as compared to Islamic ones; hence, caution must be taken for comparison purposes.

Practical implications

Based on these findings, the Islamic SACCOS needs to initiate productive projects that can enable them to have other income sources apart from charges on members.

Originality/value

This study traces the financial trend of Islamic SACCOS in Tanzania since its establishment in 2010. Such trace enables Islamic SACCOS and other stakeholders to be aware on the financial progress of Islamic SACCOS and act accordingly to ensure sustainability.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

Authors wish to acknowledge the fund provided by International Islamic University Malaysia for this research through the Accounting Research And Education Fund Research Project (IAREF 18-003-0019).

Citation

Said, M.S., Annuar, H.A. and Hamdan, H.B. (2019), "An investigation into the financial sustainability of Islamic Saving, Credit Cooperative Society (SACCOS) in Tanzania", International Journal of Ethics and Systems, Vol. 35 No. 2, pp. 242-259. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJOES-11-2018-0159

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2019, Emerald Publishing Limited

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