The purposes of this study are two-fold: firstly, to evaluate the efficiency of the Malaysian banks and secondly to examine the factors that influence the efficiency levels of those banks. Accordingly, 23 Malaysian banks covering the period between 2006 and 2010 are considered in this study. The findings of the DEA approach indicate that in general the Malaysian banks are efficient over the studied period. Furthermore, exchange rate, GDP, and inflation rate are found to be significant determinants of Malaysian banks' efficiency. As such, the present study contributes to the existing literatures on banks efficiency. The finding might be useful to the regulators as well as the practitioners. Copyright � 2015 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.

The aim of the study is to identify the factors that influence the entrepreneurial intention among female students in Oman. The study used a survey questionnaire to collect data for a sample of 384 respondents in Oman. The study ensured that the major country regions and universities are covered. The collected data was analysed using partial least squares (PLS) method as well as basic descriptive statistics. The findings revealed that perceived behavioural control and personal attitude were the main factors that influence Omani female students' entrepreneurial intention. Attitude to risk, facilitating conditions and subjective norm were found to have no significant impact on entrepreneurial intention. The focus on female entrepreneurship is both timely and necessary worldwide and particularly in Oman. The findings have significant theoretical and practical implications that would certainly improve the entrepreneurship activities among female undergraduate students in Oman. Copyright � 2020 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.

The purpose of this study is to examine the Yemeni customers' intention to adopt takaful products, and to explore the potential factors that influence their decision. This study applies SEM and one sample t-test to analyse the collected data. The results indicate that among the factors included in this study, only compatibility positively and significantly affects the adoption intention. This is the first study that addresses the adoption of Takaful products in Yemen and the factors that influence it. Furthermore, this study extends the Innovations Diffusion Theory (IDT) by applying it to a different setting. � 2015, Gadjah Mada University. All rights reserved.

The purpose of this study is to critically analyze existing literature on behavioral finance and to draw conclusions and recommendations for future studies in this area. The study is based on a critical review of the literature of Islamic and conventional behavioral finance. The findings reveal that investors are affected by psychological and social factors toward their financial decision-making process with respect to investment and choosing a particular financial product. The paper concludes that Islamic behavioral finance is a relatively new and efforts are needed to advance work in this area compared with the more advanced conventional behavioral finance. Behavioral issues are, however, gaining considerable attention from a broad spectrum of investors, especially those in the Muslim world.

Purpose: This study aims to examine the factors that could increase the investment in the Bitcoin market among Malaysian Muslim communities. Design/methodology/approach: The study used a survey questionnaire to collect data for a sample of 200 Muslim respondents in Malaysia. Subsequently, the collected data was analysed using structural equation modelling, as well as basic descriptive statistics and one sample test. Findings: The findings showed that compatibility, awareness and facilitating conditions have a significant impact on Malaysian Muslim communities’ investment in the Bitcoin market. Originality/value: It is worth emphasizing that this is one of the earliest studies that examine the Muslim communities’ perception and willingness to invest in the Bitcoin market. Hence, it is expected to be one of the foundations for future studies in this area.

Purpose – The purpose of this study is mainly to comprehensively investigate the current practices of Islamic banks’ Shari’ah supervisory boards in the specific context of Yemen. Design/methodology/approach – The study uses a qualitative approach in the form of in-depth interviews of a number of Shari’ah scholars active within the Yemeni Islamic banks. Findings – The findings support the notion that Islamic banking still lacks regulations and standards, as the Yemeni Islamic banks are still following the minimum requirements and only apply the compulsory standards. Another key finding is that Islamic banks in Yemen apply similar principles in Fatwa issuance and Shari’ah compliance assurance, especially in referring to the different Madzhabs’ and scholars’ opinions because of the sensitivity of Yemeni community with regards to the Shari’ah compliance aspect. Finally, the procedure of Shari’ah review of the Islamic banks’ operations varied from the typical set of procedures to the loose ones in terms of the number of staff in the Shari’ah audit department and the application of a comprehensive survey or sampling to review the banks’ transactions. Originality/value – This study provides some valuable recommendations to further enhance the Shari’ah supervisory practices not only in Yemen but also in similar settings.

The purpose of the study is to investigate how the Yemeni Mutawallis (awqaf managers) perceive their accountability and how they discharge it. Accordingly, a survey was conducted covering 156 respondents from most of the Yemeni regions, and data analysis was based on descriptive statistics. The findings revealed that the Mutawallis are mostly perceived to be accountable to the government awqaf institutions, followed by the accountability to the waqif (donor). These perceptions were influenced by the organizational values and rules governing the waqf. Finally, the most significant mechanism used in discharging waqf accountability is the regular issuance of financial annual reports followed by the fulfilment of government auditing requirements, waqif requirements, as well as the customers' satisfaction. These findings have significant implications for the Islamic economics and waqf theory, for the practitioners as well as for the policy makers in waqf and related areas.