This paper examines the relationship between corporate social responsibility (CSR) and financial performance for Islamic banks in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region over the period 2000-2014 by generating CSR-related data through disclosure analysis of the annual reports of the sampled banks. The findings of this study indicate that there is a significant positive relationship between CSR disclosure and the financial performance of Islamic banks in the GCC countries. The results also show a positive relationship between CSR disclosure and the future financial performance of GCC Islamic banks, potentially indicating that current CSR activities carried out by Islamic banks in the GCC could have a long-term impact on their financial performance. Furthermore, despite demonstrating a significant positive relationship between the composite measure of the CSR disclosure index and financial performance, the findings show no statistically significant relationship between the individual dimensions of the CSR disclosure index and the current financial performance measure except for 'mission and vision' and 'products and services'. Similarly, the empirical results detect a positive significant association only between 'mission and vision' dimension and future financial performance of the examined banks.

This study utilises higher objectives postulated in Islamic moral economy or the maqasid al-Shari'ah theoretical framework's novel approach in evaluating the ethical, social, environmental and financial performance of Islamic banks. Maqasid al-Shari'ah is interpreted as achieving social good as a consequence in addition to well-being and, hence, it goes beyond traditional (voluntary) social responsibility. This study also explores the major determinants that affect maqasid performance as expressed through disclosure analysis. By expanding the traditional maqasid al-Shari'ah,, we develop a comprehensive evaluation framework in the form of a maqasid index, which is subjected to a rigorous disclosure analysis. Furthermore, in identifying the main determinants of the maqasid disclosure performance, panel data analysis is used by including several key variables alongside political and socioeconomic environment, ownership structures, and corporate and Shari'ah governance-related factors. The sample includes 33 full-fledged Islamic banks from 12 countries for the period of 2008-2016. The findings show that although during the nine-year period the disclosure of maqasid performance of the sampled Islamic banks has improved, this is still short of 'best practices'. Through panel data analysis, this study finds that the Muslim population indicator, CEO duality, Shari'ah governance, and leverage variables positively impact the disclosure of maqasid performance. However, the effect of GDP, financial development and human development index of the country, its political and civil rights, institutional ownership, and a higher share of independent directors have an overall negative impact on the maqasid performance. The findings reported in this study identify complex and multi-faceted relations between external market realities, corporate and Shari'ah governance mechanisms, and maqasid performance.

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Purpose -This paper aims to explore public perceptions on marketing-related issues of Islamic mortgages, which can help to identify the contents of the best marketing strategies for financial institutions wishing to promote Islamic mortgages among the Muslim community in the UK. In doing so, the access issues of the Islamic mortgages and how to effectively raise awareness among the Muslim community is discussed. The paper also aims to discuss the integration of the Islamic mortgage and to investigate the importance of staff confidence and the acceptability of promoting the Islamic mortgage by a non-Muslim sales person. Furthermore, the role of religion, the Muslim households' consumer preferences and the prospect of Islamic mortgage providers' cross-selling Islamic mortgage products to the Muslim customers are also discussed. Design/methodology/approach -The principal method used to gather primary data is a questionnaire survey conducted with Muslim households in East London. From a total of 350 questionnaires distributed, 270 were returned, of which 250 were fully completed, thereby yielding a response rate of about 77 per cent. Findings -The findings indicate that wider social factors and lifestyle choices may be increasing the demand for Islamic mortgages. The paper also argues that there is scope in the UK to expand the market for Islamic products and services to non-Muslims as well if effective and sound marketing strategies are implemented.Research limitations/implications -The sample size can be extended to have more reliable results. In addition, future research should consider other geographical locations in the UK to provide diversity in terms of participants. Practical implications -The findings of the research can provide valuable information for the Islamic mortgage market in the UK but also render information for Islamic finance service providers in shaping their marketing strategy in relation to Islamic mortgages. Originality/value -The paper utilises primary data from a particular case, which provides valuable findings in relation to participants' perceptions on Islamic mortgage and its marketing-related issues. It also provides the elements of an effective marketing strategy for the marketing of Islamic mortgages in the UK. Therefore, in addition to being an academic paper appealing to academic inquiry, it has practical implications for the industry as well.

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The full-text may be used and/or reproduced, and given to third parties in any format or medium, without prior permission or charge, for personal research or study, educational, or not-for-prot purposes provided that: • a full bibliographic reference is made to the original source • a link is made to the metadata record in DRO • the full-text is not changed in any way The full-text must not be sold in any format or medium without the formal permission of the copyright holders.

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Purpose This paper aims to comparatively examine the impact of the intellectual capital performance on the financial performance of Islamic and conventional banks in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries by classifying intellectual capital as human capital, knowledge creation and innovation processes. Design/methodology/approach Along with the theoretical discussion in essentialising the rationale for intellectual capital formation through Islamic norms, the empirical analysis is formulated through the data generated by disclosure analysis using a panel of five GCC countries examining 408 annual reports from 19 Islamic and 23 conventional banks covering 2010–2019 period. In the analysis of the generated data, both fixed and random effects regression models are used. Findings The findings of this paper suggest that Islamic banks perform better than conventional banks in creating intellectual capital through knowledge creation, human capital and intellectual contribution. While the intellectual capital disclosure index and its pillars are significant for Islamic banks, these variables are not significant for the conventional banks in the GCC countries. Research limitations/implications Considering that disclosed information may not reflect actual experience and performance, factual data could also be used to overcome potential shortcomings of disclosure generated data. Practical implications This paper demonstrates that Islamic banks in the GCC have been successful in their intellectual capital performance, whereby they seem to be performing in line with the Islamic ontology. In addition, the disclosure items used in this paper may guide the Islamic and conventional banks in the process of preparing their annual reports. Importantly, they may use these items as benchmarks in further developing their intellectual capital performance for better financial performance. Originality/value This paper essentialises knowledge development and innovation for Islamic banks through the Islamic cognitive system rather than as a requirement of the market mechanism. Secondly, a comparative analysis between Islamic and conventional banks is presented by acknowledging the peculiarities of Islamic banks in the methodology and disclosure index.