• The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.145-156
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• 2023

Within the context of publicly traded Sharia-compliant companies in Malaysia, this study investigated the influence that board and company characteristics have on corporate donations. The primary focus of the study was (i) two board characteristics derived from upper echelons theory, namely gender composition and education level, and (ii) four firm variables derived from stakeholder theory, specifically company size, profitability, leverage, and industry category. This study used a total of 402 Shariah-compliant companies that operated in accordance with Shariah law. The information utilized in this study was culled by hand from the annual reports of various companies covering the years 2017 through 2019. According to the findings, the educational level of a company's board of directors has a significant impact on the amount of money donated to charitable organizations by Shariah-compliant companies. The level of expertise possessed by board members can be of assistance to businesses in becoming more aware of the necessity of making contributions or donations. Corporate contribution practices among Shariah-compliant companies in Malaysia were also significantly influenced by the firm's size, profitability, and the industry category in which the business was classified. The findings of the study contribute to a better understanding of the impact that board and company variables have on the activities of corporate donors.

• The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.223-230
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• 2021

The concept of Shariah-based internal audit has received increasing attention from researchers in recent times especially since Islamic financial institutions have been developing in several Asian countries like Bangladesh. To avoid financial irregularities and to maintain Shariah-based financial transactions, an effective Shariah-based internal audit system is extremely important for Islamic financial institutions such as Islamic banks. Hence, the objective of this study is to determine the factors that influence the effectiveness of the Shariah-based audit system. Study data has been gathered from Shariah auditors, members of the Shariah board and audit committee of six private Islamic banks in Dhaka, Bangladesh. A total of 210 survey questionnaires were sent and finally 136 responses were retained, indicating a final sample size of n=136, with a survey feedback rate of 65%. The study adopted a quantitative measure and collected only primary data, followed by convenience sampling. SPSS has been used to run necessary statistical interpretation. Results reveal that auditor's work autonomy, level of competency, and work performance significantly impact the Shariah-based internal audit effectiveness. The study findings can be adopted as guidelines to improve the overall effectiveness of the Shariah-based internal audit system in Islamic financial institutions.

• The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.479-485
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• 2021

Although corporate social responsibility (CSR) is an extensively studied topic, its determinants in the field of Islamic banking are scarce. In Bangladesh, CSR plays a vital role in gaining customer loyalty and confidence. Therefore, this research aims to identify and analyze the influence of the Shariah Supervisory Board (SSB) and the Shariah Audit Committee (SAC) on CSR adoption in Islamic banks in Bangladesh. The study population is managers and second managers of 160 Islamic bank branches of different commercial banks in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The sampling technique used is convenience sampling where the first available primary data source was used for the research without additional requirements. The study developed a survey questionnaire from examining previous related studies in Islamic banking and CSR context. The final sample size in this research was n = 309, indicating the survey response rate was about 97%. The study used SPSS 23.0 software to interpret the statistical findings, and the findings revealed that support from the SSB and the presence of a strong and effective SAC has a strong correlation with CSR adoption and significantly influence CSR adoption in Islamic banks in Bangladesh. Finally, the study proposes several significant and crucial policy guidelines for Islamic bank branches to adopt CSR activities.

• The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.91-100
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• 2020

This study aims to find out the legalization status of a central Shariah regulatory authority for the Islamic banks in Bangladesh. In this regard, the central bank can legalize the existing Centralized Shariah Board for Islamic Banks of Bangladesh (CSBIB) or form a new Centralized Shariah Supervisory Board (CSBB) under the management of the central bank in Bangladesh. Based on the data obtained by the semi-structured interviews, this research finds diversified opinions regarding the legalization of CSBIB or the formation of a new CSBB. Initially, without the law, it would be difficult to form CSSB under the central bank as the Islamic banks and banking environment are still not ready. In addition, it is difficult to legalize the existing CSBIB because the format of its structure is different from the CSSB structure in Malaysia and Bahrain. The existing banking company act authorizes the central bank to provide circulars regarding banking issues and it will be considered as an act. The central bank can legalize the existing CSBIB or form a new CSSB through a circular which will be helpful to monitor the overall Shariah issues. The presence of a CSSB will fulfill the expectations of all Islamic banks, and the concerned stakeholders.

• The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.265-276
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• 2020

The study aims to explore the problems of the existing Shariah Governance Framework (SGF) and its concerned authorities in the context of Bangladesh. Thus, according to responses from 17 respondents, this study outlines that Bangladesh has an absence of a shortage of experts, experienced, knowledgeable, and qualified Shariah people at all levels (i.e., the central bank, Islamic banks, Shariah Supervisory Boards (SSBs), and regulators). Therefore, Bangladesh does not have a separate Islamic banking act, Shariah audit firm, Shariah index institutions, and comprehensive SGF. The existing guideline has a limitation concerning its comprehensiveness, accountability, responsibility, and structure of SSBs. Islamic banks do not follow the instruction of the central bank in the formation of SSBs. As a result, there is an absence of competent and qualified SSB, which also results in the functions of Shariah departments as well as Shariah applications. Usually, the Board of Directors (BOD), management, executives, customers, and the public also have the conceptual gap about Islamic banks, SGF, and banking system compared to the regular prayers, faith, and belief. Concisely, Bangladesh requisites a comprehensive SGF, Islamic banking act, a standard accounting system, and a robust Shariah audit system for the overall development of Islamic banks and SGF.

• The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.981-992
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• 2021

This study identifies the determinants of potential failure of Islamic Peer-to-Peer (P2P) lending in Indonesia, and the mediating effect of Islamic ethics on reducing the potential for failure of Islamic P2P lending. This study uses primary data retrieved through questionnaires from the perspective of 152 stakeholders in Islamic P2P lending. Using a structural equation model (SEM), the study found that indebtedness, financing size, and governance have positive and significant relationships with the potential failure of Islamic P2P lending. This study provides evidence that the customer's internal conditions and the governance structure applied can increase the potential failure of Islamic P2P lending. Further, Islamic ethics is evidently able to partially reduce the potential failure of Islamic P2P lending by lessening risk management exposure, but it fails to address failure through Ponzi scheme exposure. As an implication, this study suggest that Islamic P2P lending must implement Islamic ethics more comprehensively by optimizing the advisory and supervisory role of the shariah board within their overall boards of directors also in their operational activities. Finally, it also adds to the existing knowledge on financial technology literature, particularly on the determinants of potential failure of financial technology from the perspective of stakeholders.