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This study aims to introduce a research framework that identifies the potential sources of design self-efficacy that emerge from the digital class by covering the teaching for professional competence model (TPCM) to enhance students’ design self-efficacy.

The multistage and purposive sampling technique is used, and the respondents considered are Malaysian university students. Further, the students who completed the survey included both local and international students so as to capture responses through primary data.

The findings of this research study reveal that design self-efficacy is determined not only by feedback and collaborative learning but also by perceived digital class experience.

Moreover, this study is limited in offering a theoretical framework using the TPCM; therefore, future studies may incorporate Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory and may also use the theory integration approach. Also, in terms of geographic coverage, the current work is limited to an area in Klang Valley. Future studies may be carried out in other parts or regions of the country. Future researchers may also focus on technological self-efficacy to capture the other related factors that may be related.

This study not only contributed to the theoretical extensions but also to practical implications, which would benefit the policymakers of higher education providers in Malaysia.

TPCM components, which are students’ personal characteristics, teaching practices and student’s perceptions of the classroom climate, are mapped into the digital class context as potential sources of design self-efficacy and collectively labelled as digital class experience. To the authors’ knowledge, the digital class environment variable is yet to be tested as a component of TPCM.

The purpose of this paper is to empirically examine the return and dividend characteristics of two different types of Malaysian real estate investment trust (REIT) series, namely, conventional and Islamic, against macroeconomic variables over the period 2011-2017.

The required data are derived from Datastream database. Multiple regression analysis is used to determine the impact of macroeconomic variables on financial performance of 13 Malaysian REIT series.

Results show that the macroeconomic variables are able to predict future returns and dividends of Malaysian REITs. The analysis also suggests that Islamic REITs are seen to be less sensitive to macroeconomic variables and display better portfolio diversification benefits as compared to their conventional counterpart. The ongoing implications for large-cap and small-cap REITs are also highlighted.

The main limitation of the study is the small percentage of Islamic REITs sample due to limited period of observation available. However, the two Islamic REITs included are representative of Islamic REITs in Malaysia as both of them are listed in the Bursa Malaysia with asset size and market capitalization values more than RM1bn.

The results of this study may serve as a useful input for financial market players on making strategic business decisions especially with regards to differences between conventional and Islamic REITs characteristics.

The main contribution of this paper is to explore the relationship between REITs and macroeconomic factors on a unique capital market (Malaysia) that allows comparison between conventional and its Islamic counterpart.

This paper aims to examine the determinants that influence bank users’ acceptance for Islamic financial technology (FinTech) services by extending the technology acceptance model (TAM) in the Malaysian context.

The survey was conducted using convenience sampling. Moreover, 205 responses were gathered from users of the Islamic bank. On the same note, the literature on determinants of Islamic FinTech acceptance and TAM was reviewed as well in a bid to contribute to the factors that are instrumental in determining the acceptance of FinTech services.

Findings of the study reveal that Islamic FinTech’s services acceptance is determined by perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness and also by another variable, which is consumer innovativeness (CI). On the contrary other factors, self-efficacy and subjective norms are found not to be influential in determining Islamic FinTech’s acceptance by Islamic banking users.

TAM is extended in the context of Islamic FinTech. A new variable, namely, CI is tested using TAM. CI is yet to be tested, therefore, this paper will be a useful reference for the policymakers, academicians and future researchers.

This study aims to find out the problems of family Takaful (Islamic Life Insurance) operations in Bangladesh and proposes strategies to overcome the problems.

Qualitative data were collected through interviews with 32 respondents from two family Takaful operators in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

The study finds a number of problems of family Takaful which relate to the government, Takaful company and the Shariah board. Lack of governing guidelines for Takaful companies in Bangladesh is causing numerous operational problems of family Takaful. To overcome these obstacles, the government should propose separate Act for Takaful. This requires support from the stakeholders along with Islamic scholars in the country.

It is anticipated that the findings and suggestions of the study will assist the policymakers in improving the situation of family Takaful companies particularly in Bangladesh.

If the proposed suggestions are implemented in Takaful companies, the problems facing Takaful will likely be solved and more people will take part in Takaful. This would contribute to developing the country economically, raise Islamic values and foster peace and harmony in the society.

Mainly, this study is based on the primary research that has been conducted in family Takaful companies in Bangladesh.

This paper aims to develop a performance measure for Islamic banks (IBs) by harmonizing related studies. Furthermore, this work uses the developed yardstick to analyze the performance of a sample of 11 IBs from across different countries.

This paper uses the mix-mode method. The qualitative approach is engaged first to construct the IBs performance yardstick. Following this, the quantitative approach is applied through the use of the performance yardstick to measure the sample’s performance.

This study develops a maqāṣid-based performance yardstick adapted from previous works. The developed model in this study is called an integrated maqāṣid al-Sharīʿah--based performance measure (IMSPM). By using this performance measure, the present paper finds that the sample performed highest on the objective of nafs (self) over the three-year period. In addition, this study identifies the information which best indicates the sample’s performance during the analysis.

This paper uses the sample’s annual reports. The analysis is thus limited to informational disclosure.

Islamic banking and financial institutions may use the IMSPM to communicate a measurable report on their promotion of the maqāṣid al-Sharīʿah (objectives of Islamic law).

The evidence from 11 IBs is indicative of their efforts to realize maqāṣid al-Sharīʿah in the banking industry. This point may best challenge the practice of stigmatizing IBs for not being in line with the Sharīʿah (Islamic law) or of imitating conventional banks.

The novelty of this study lies in two points. First, this study harmonizes previous works to integrate financial and religious measures in a single yardstick. Second, by using the developed standard, this study offers a fresh insight into the global IBs’ performance, represented by 11 IBs worldwide.

The purpose of this paper is to determine the factors that may influence customers’ acceptance of Islamic home financing and identify the possible moderator, which may be relevant using the decomposed theory of planned behaviour (DTPB) in the context of Malaysia and Pakistan.

Literature on Islamic mortgage and DTPB is reviewed in a bid to identify the determinants that may contribute to customers’ desire to participate in Islamic home financing.

The review indicates that customers’ acceptance of Islamic home financing is not only determined by the subjective norm, attitude, perceived behavioural control but also by the added construct of awareness and decomposed variables, namely, perceived compatibility, perceived relative advantage, peers influence and self-efficacy. In the context of the current study, the country is proposed as a moderator variable that may influence the relationship for customers’ acceptance of Islamic mortgages.

In terms of conceptualising the model, only two countries are considered, which is Malaysia and Pakistan as categorical variables or moderators incorporated in DTPB.

Existing literature on Islamic mortgages makes it evident that DTPB is yet to be applied in the context of studying Islamic home financing. This study extends the application of DTPB in the context of customers’ acceptance of Islamic mortgages in two countries, Malaysia and Pakistan. This paper will be a helpful resource for future researchers, academicians and managers of Islamic banks at large.

Despite extensive studies on predictors and antecedents of organizational commitment, empirical research studies on the impact of workplace spirituality on organizational commitment remain scarce. This study aims to examine the impact of the dimensions of workplace spirituality on agents’ organizational commitment in Islamic insurance (Takaful) industry in Malaysia.

This study used a positivist research approach, comprising a quantitative basis of enquiry, and gathered data via survey questionnaires. In total, 600 questionnaires were distributed and finally 395 usable cases were selected for analysis. Pearson’s correlation and stepwise multiple regressions analyses were used to analyze the data.

The findings indicated that spirituality in the workplace has a positive and significant effect on organizational commitment. The relationship between each and every component of workplace spirituality and organizational commitment was found to be substantial, positive and significant. The study findings will enable Islamic insurance companies to understand the importance of spirituality in the workplace and will further improve their function and performance by way of enhancing employees’ spirituality in the workplace. This study suggests developing more spiritual training, workshops, lectures and seminars on spirituality at the workplace which will help employees of takaful operators and agencies cope effectively with life problems, reduce stress, boost loyalty and enhance organizational commitment.

This study raises awareness on the importance of spirituality in the workplace and investigates the influence of its components to enhance organizational commitment, which will ultimately contribute to improving and sustaining human well-being and organizational performance.

The exchange approach in management has viewed employee and employer relationship as a mutual relation, and this notion offers a causal explanation for the exchanges that occur between employee and employer. The purpose of the paper is to use the notion of “mutual relations” in the employment context to reflect on similar conceptions from the Islamic perspective and to throw light on Muslim obligations in employee–employer mutual relations seeking for benefits and preventing harm.

This paper draws on observations of other scholars in exchange theories based on reciprocity norm, well-being (maslaha), Islamic spiritual bases (taqwa, seeking for halal), work ethics in Islam and other Islamic teachings play toward understanding the nature of employee–employer mutual relationship from Islamic perspective. Two main social exchange theories (SET) are discussed to give a comprehensive view to the paper’s issue along with the literature reviewed from early Muslim scholars’ works, sayings of Prophet Muhammad PBUM and Holy Qur’an.

The literature indicates that it is possible to identify common ethical and contractual obligations in the employer’s and employee’s mutual relations from Islamic ideology. Given the paucity of research on employment relations in Islam, the paper offers an original perspective on this topic.

The paper concludes that a Muslim work obligation has to be based on the understanding of the scope and nature of the contract between employee and employer. Allah (The All-Knowing) knows that even if all obligations in employee and employer mutual relations are clear, human error might occur.

The study aims to investigate the measurement model of four constructs, namely, spirituality at the workplace (SP), Islamic spirituality (ISP), organizational commitment (OC) and organizational citizenship behaviours (OCB). The study aims to contribute new knowledge to the existing literature whereby performance determinants comprising these constructs, serve to improve employee well-being which ultimately improves organizational performance.

Using disproportionate stratified random sampling, the survey data used for this empirical research were drawn from 482 employees working in takaful agencies in Malaysia. After yielding an instrument to measure SP, ISP, OCB and OC, principal component analysis (PCA) using SPSS and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) using AMOS were carried out.

Good fit indices from CFA revealed that OC is explained by three variables, namely, normative, continuance and affective; SP is also explained by three variables comprising alignment with organizational values (AWOV), sense of community (SC) and meaningful work (MW); ISP is explained by three variables comprising belief, forgiveness and remembrance of Allah; and finally, OCB is explained by civic virtue, conscientiousness and altruism. The findings of this study will enable Islamic insurance companies to understand the importance of spirituality and Islamic spirituality on well-being and will further improve their function and performance by way of enhancing employees’ spirituality in the workplace. Moreover, Human Resource development professionals, organizational managers and government authorities may use the findings of this study to justify their efforts in designing appropriate learning and performance improvement interventions so that OC, OCB, IS and ISP among non-Muslim and Muslim employees can be monitored and further enhanced.

This study raises awareness on the importance of four critical constructs that can be used by corporate organizations, NGOs and other institutions, to justify their efforts in performance improvement interventions.

This paper aims to examine the determinants that influence the customer’s adoption towards the use of family takaful scheme by extending diffusion theory of innovation (DOI) in the context of Pakistan.

The published work allied to takaful studies and DOI was reviewed. Total of 282 respondents who are non-users of family takaful product were used for the purpose of primary data collection through convenience sampling.

The customer’s adoption towards Islamic insurance is determined not only by perceived relative advantage and perceived compatibility but also by awareness and religious belief. Perceived complexity, on the contrary, turns out not to be a predictor of family takaful adoption. Further, gender, age and education do not moderate the family takaful adoption by the customers.

This research alike others have limitations in terms of sampling method used and only covers one city of Pakistan, namely, Karachi. Further studies need to be conducted in other cities as well with a large population.

Extended DOI is not used in the context of takaful in Pakistan as evident from scarce literature on the empirical studies. Therefore, the authors extend the DOI in the current work. Further, this paper will be a useful reference guide for the academicians, operators of takaful business and future researchers.