Reconciliation or polarization in Islamic bank preference? Socio-political, socio-economic and demographic aspects: Eskisehir case in Turkey
International Journal of Islamic and Middle Eastern Finance and Management
ISSN: 1753-8394
Article publication date: 18 April 2016
Abstract
Purpose
The reasons for Islamic bank preferences have been extensively covered in the literature where religion has been depicted as a strong factor. In the limited number of accounts on this subject in Turkey, it was found that religiosity is a major factor in the selection of Islamic banks.
Design/methodology/approach
This study evaluates the findings of a major field work performed in the period between March and May 2011 in Eskisehir with the participation of Islamic bank customers. In the study, a sample of 500 respondents was used and a semi-structured survey was conducted.
Findings
According to the findings, religiosity is not the most significant and leading factor in Islamic bank preference; instead, it was found as the fourth most important factor. The study finds that recommendation by friends and relatives is the most significant factor for the people in preferring Islamic banks. The nationalist-conservative people make stronger reference to the religiosity as a factor than the secular-modernist and leftist-social democrat people do. Socioeconomic status is not found as a significant factor in the Islamic bank preference. People in advanced age, men, people with lower income and businessmen/artisan rely on the religiosity in Islamic bank preference as a factor stronger than people from other backgrounds.
Practical implications
In conclusion, it could be said that there is a strong relation of substitution between Islamic banks and conventional banks in Turkey and that the Islamic banks play significant role in inclusion of the people staying out of the banking system due to religious concerns and considerations in the financial system.
Originality/value
It is very comprehensive, both politically and economically, to handle the issue of Islamic banking.
Keywords
Citation
Ergec, E.H., Kaytanci, B.G. and Toprak, M. (2016), "Reconciliation or polarization in Islamic bank preference? Socio-political, socio-economic and demographic aspects: Eskisehir case in Turkey", International Journal of Islamic and Middle Eastern Finance and Management, Vol. 9 No. 1, pp. 67-86. https://doi.org/10.1108/IMEFM-07-2013-0082
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2016, Emerald Group Publishing Limited