This paper analyzes empirically the relationship between the development of Islamic finance system and growth of the economy in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). To document the relationship between development of Islamic finance and economic growth, time series data from 1990 to 2010 were used. We use Islamic banks’ financing credited to private sector through modes of financing as a proxy for the development of Islamic finance system and Gross Domestic Product (GDP), Gross Fixed Capital Formation (GFCF), as proxies for real economic growth. For the analysis, the unit root test, cointegration test and Granger Causality tests were done. Our empirical results show that there is a strong positive association between Islamic banks’ financing and economic growth in the UAE, which reinforces the idea that a well-functioning banking system promotes economic growth. However, our results indicate that a causal relationship happens only in one direction, i.e., from Islamic banks’ financing to economic growth, which supports Schumpeter’s supply-leading theory. In this case, the development in the Islamic financial sector acts as supply, leading to transfer of resources from the traditional, low-growth sectors to the modern high-growth sectors, and to promote and stimulate an entrepreneurial response in these modern sectors. Furthermore, the results show that Islamic Banks’ financing has contributed to the increase of investment in UAE in the long term and in a positive way.

No abstract

Islamic finance is one of the fastest growing sectors of the global banking industry and has risen to prominence recently through its distinctive characteristics. The emergence of Islamic finance can be traced back to 1963 in Egypt, while its importance comes to the global financial system only after the global financial crisis occurred in 2008. This paper explores empirically the relationship between the development of Islamic finance and economic growth in the Middle East. Three of the most important countries for Islamic finance growth from Middle East, namely Qatar, Bahrain, and United Arab Emirates (UAE), are selected for the study. To document the relationship between development of Islamic finance and economic growth, annually time-series data of economic growth and Islamic banks' financing were used. We use Islamic banks' financing credited to private sector through modes of financing as a proxy for the development of Islamic finance system and Gross Domestic Product (GDP), as a proxy for economic growth. For the analysis, the unit root test, co-integration test and Granger causality tests were done. Our empirical results generally signify that in the long run Islamic banks' financing is positive and significantly correlated with economic growth in the select countries which reinforces the idea that a well-functioning banking system promotes economic growth. The results obtained from Granger causality test reveals a causal relationship between Islamic finance and economic growth in these countries. It is neither Schumpeter's supply-leading nor Robinson's demand-following. It appears to be a bi-directional relationship from Islamic banks' financing to economic growth and vice versa for Bahrain and Qatar. The results obtained from Granger causality test for UAE indicates that a causal relationship happens only in one direction, i.e., from Islamic banks' financing to economic growth, which supports Schumpeter's supply-leading theory. Our results also indicate that improvement of the Islamic financial institutions in the Middle East countries will benefit from economic development, and it is important in the long run for the economic welfare, and also for poverty reduction. Furthermore, the results of study are quite significant as it is one of the pioneering studies of Islamic finance.

The paper examines the level of disclosure on Islamic banks' performance in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The data was collected through content analysis of annual reports and financial statements of all fully-fledged Islamic banks working in the UAE over the period 2009 to 2013. Return on Assets is used as a proxy for the performance of Islamic banks while disclosure index is used as a proxy for Islamic banks' disclosure. Also, predetermined variables are used in the study like Size, Deposits, Non-Performing Investments and Capital to Risk Weighted Assets Ratio. Two-Stage Least-Square regression method is used to check the interdependence relationships between disclosure and performance of Islamic banks in the UAE. The results show a significant relationship between performance and disclosure in the UAE Islamic banks. Our regression results show that Islamic banks with higher levels of disclosure lead to higher operating performance. Furthermore, the performance has a great impact on the level of disclosure which means Islamic banks with high performance measures will disclose more information for investors and other institutions in order to reduce the cost of equity and increase their values in the market. This study is considered as a battery for further studies in the relationship between disclosure and financial performance of Islamic banks at a global level.

Quality internal audit (IA) plays a crucial role in accountability, transparency and preserving public properties. This paper gives a brief background of the IA system in Yemen and examines its impact with regards to financial performance in Yemeni commercial banks based on five factors: (i) independence of IAs, (ii) adherence to IA standards, (iii) governance principles implementation, (iv) size of the IA, and (v) frequency of internal audits committees' meetings. The primary data for the study were collected through a questionnaire prepared for this purpose. Fifty questionnaires were distributed out of which forty-two were retrieved and valid in the analysis process. For the empirical analysis, descriptive analysis and T-test were used for verification of the research hypotheses. Results revealed that sticking to standards internal audit, internal auditors' independence and quality governance have significant impact on banks' financial performance, while the size of internal audits committees, as well as their meeting, frequently has insignificant positive impact on banks' performance. Moreover, the country results show that the use of automated internal audit in banks has an impact on improving financial performance. This article provides avenues for further studies, mainly in developing countries, including Yemen, in quality internal audit and financial performance.

No abstract

Collecting data using an appropriate sampling technique is a challenging task for a researcher to do. The researchers will be unable to collect data from all possible situations, which will preclude them from answering the study’s research questions in their current form. In light of the enormous number and variety of sampling techniques/methods available, the researcher must be knowledgeable about the differences to select the most appropriate sampling technique/method for the specific study under consideration. In this context, this study also looks into the basic concepts in probability sampling, kinds of probability sampling techniques with their advantages and disadvantages. Social science researchers will benefit from this study since it will assist them in choosing the most suitable probability sampling technique(s) for completing their research smoothly and successfully.

The influences of renewable and conventional energy consumption on ecological sustainability remain unclear because of the dynamic economic and innovative framework. This investigation gives a new perception by exploring the association between the production of various sources of renewable energies (e.g., hydroelectric, wind, solar PV, geothermal, and biomass power) and economic growth encapsulating capital, government spending, and trade openness. This research used a heterogeneous approach for panel data and second generational tools for econometrics, which allow for cross-sectional reliance and slope heterogeneity. This study has revealed the substantial reason to back up the feedback assumptions between renewable energy sources and economic growth, using the Dumitrescu and Hurlin analysis. In terms of policy, this empirical analysis suggests enacting impactful policies that encourage green power and economic reform in an attempt to lessen CO2 concentrations in the biosphere.