Purpose-Islamic banking and finance is an emerging global industry founded on Islamic ethical precepts. Just as in the case of conventional banks, Islamic banks are expected to offer products that consider the needs of their customers. The present study investigates the

Purpose -This paper aims to present a conceptual model on the efficiency and governance of zakat institutions that are responsible in collecting, managing and distributing zakat in Malaysia. Zakat is an Islamic religious "tax" charged on the rich and well-to-do members of the community for distribution to the poor and the needy as well as other beneficiaries based on certain established criteria according to the Qur'an. The main aim of zakat is to protect the socio-economic welfare of the poor and the needy. Design/methodology/approach -The paper reviews and synthesises the relevant literature on efficiency, governance and zakat. The paper then developed and proposed a conceptual model to study the efficiency and governance of zakat institutions. Findings -The paper identifies the appropriate methods to evaluate efficiency and governance of zakat institutions. Such evaluations are crucial for the Islamic financial system to function effectively in order to achieve the noble objectives of socio-economic justice through proper distribution of wealth. Originality/value -This paper presents a conceptual model of efficiency and governance of zakat institutions which would be useful for further empirical research in this area. The findings are not only relevant and applicable to Malaysia but also to other Muslim countries.

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of service quality, product choice and Islamic debt policy on consumer attitude within the context of Islamic mortgage sector in Malaysia. The present study also examines the effect of attitudinal-behaviour on consumer preference towards preference of Islamic mortgage selection. Design/methodology/approachThe study is based on questionnaire survey. Data are collected using sample from customers of Islamic banks in Malaysia. The study collects 351 respondents. Data are analysed using partial least squares (PLS). FindingsThe results indicate that service quality, product choice and Islamic debt policy significantly influence consumer attitude, in turn, affecting the Islamic home financing preference. Consumer attitude also mediates the effects of service quality, product choice and Islamic debt policy on the Islamic home financing preference. Research limitations/implicationsSeveral limitations warrant future research. First, this study considers only a specific user group in one public university. Second, this study does not consider attitude as a moderator. Third, this study suffers from the limited number of factors used. These limitations, however, provide directions for future research. Practical implicationsOur results will add value to the consumer preference topic for Islamic home financing literature. The present study provides bank managers with valuable insights into better planning of Islamic home financing services in Malaysia. Originality/value

There is a continuing academic debate on corporate social responsibility (CSR), its goals and practices, and its impact on business and society. Following this debate, this study has made a critical investigation of CSR practices of business enterprises with a view to examining their spirit, intentions and roles in terms of pristine business goals. After analyzing the contents of pertinent literature (126 articles, of which 89 are empirical) in both developed and developing country contexts, the study finds that corporate managers are still less concerned about the meaning and essence of pristine business goals and the true goals and role of CSR. They practice CSR largely in a voluntary philanthropic fashion to build public image and primarily enhance business profit, not necessarily for social wellbeing. Their CSR practices have been found to be more of a cosmetic and face‐saving marketing strategy, undermining the social wellbeing goal for sustainable development. The CSR movement, therefore, needs reformation.

Purpose-The main purpose of this paper is to investigate the acceptance level of Islamic accounting course by undergraduate students at the Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS). The study used theory of reasoned action (TRA) to analyze the findings. Design/methodology/approach-The primary data for the study are collected using self-administered questionnaires. Altogether, the sample comprised of 135 respondents. Data are analyzed using statistical package for social science 13.0 and Analysis of Moment Structures 7.0 to determine the acceptance level and model fit. Findings-Attitude (ATT), subjective norm (SN), and amount of information on Islamic accounting (AIIA) are found to affect the intention of students to enroll in the Islamic accounting course. Other proposed hypotheses are also supported. Research limitations/implications-The study limitations are confined to three only. The first limitation is the narrow focus on one University in Malaysia as a case study. The second is about its limited relevant measures used in the model that may potentially support the acceptance. The third is about the lack of adequate sample of non-Muslim students. Nevertheless, these limitations drive for the future research in the area of Islamic accounting. Practical implications-Despite its limitations, this study is still of importance in providing insights on a particular issue. The findings of this study shed some light on the students' acceptance level of an Islamic course. This course is unique as it is different in orientation compared to other existing courses on offer. This paper also provides an invaluable insight, especially in the case of UMS, to consider Islamic accounting course as a core course in the future instead of only an elective course. The university's management should consider the importance of students' ATT, SN, and AIIA prior to offering the course. Originality/value-This paper examines undergraduate students' acceptance level of an Islamic accounting course using TRA and highlights the factors affecting the acceptance of students of an Islamic accounting course in a Malaysian higher learning institution.

Abstract. This paper critically discusses the concept of zakah and taxation. The main objective of the paper is, first, to compare and contrast zakah and taxation, especially on the legal, economic, social, ethical and spiritual aspects. Secondly, the paper aims to examine issues related to the implementation of zakah in modern time by reviewing the practices of zakah and taxation in the early Islamic period and exploring the issues in the context of Malaysia. The paper indicates that zakah greatly differs from the taxation system.

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to assess the potential of Islamic financing schemes for microfinancing purposes.Design/methodology/approachThe paper contends that Islamic finance has an important role to contribute for furthering socio‐economic development of the poor and small (micro) entrepreneurs without charging interest (read: riba').FindingsIslamic finance offers various ethical schemes and instruments that can be advanced and adapted for the purpose of microfinance. Comparatively, qardhul hasan, murabahah, and ijarah schemes are relatively easy to manage and will ensure the capital needs (qardhul hasan), equipments (murabahah) and leased equipments (ijarah) for potential micro‐entrepreneurs and the poor. Participatory schemes such as mudarabah and musharakah, on the other hand, have great potentials for microfinance purposes as these schemes can satisfy the risk sharing needs of the micro‐entrepreneurs.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper is only conceptual and does not aim to empirically examine the issues or theories. However, the paper will definitely be useful to develop hypotheses for future research, especially in this relatively new area of Islamic microfinance.Practical implicationsThe Islamic concepts of microfinance will be of interest especially to many microfinance institutions. The paper will also be a good introduction to practitioners in the microfinance sector to understand the relevance and limitations of Islamic financing schemes.Originality/valueIslamic financing schemes are argued as having moral and ethical attributes that can effectively motivate micro‐entrepreneurs to thrive. These schemes, however, require specialized skills in managing risks inherent in the structure of the contracts. In theory, different schemes can be used for different purposes depending on the risk profile of the micro‐entrepreneurs.

This study is aimed at explaining factors influencing the intention to be a partner amongst bank customers in musharakah