This study investigates the impact of the country’s governance on the revenue efficiency of 108 Islamic banks from 26 countries offering Islamic banking and finance products services. The technical efficiencies of individual Islamic banks have been analyzed using the Data Envelopment Analysis method. The data will be pooled across the selected countries and utilize the intermediation approach. The Ordinary Least Square estimation method is employed to examine the impact of country supervision and regulation on the technical efficiency of Islamic banks. As robustness check, the study examines the impact of the level of bank regulations and supervision on the efficiency of Islamic banks operating in different income-level countries. The results found that the stricter the supervisory power, the less strict capital requirement, the tighter the restrictions on non-banking activities, and the stricter the private monitoring enhance statistically significantly the level of efficiency of Islamic banks. In upgrading the regulations and supervision of the Islamic banks, the existing regulatory framework based on the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (BCBS) must be complemented with the prescriptions on Islamic banking or Shariah compliance diligently, so that the Islamic banks could be regulated accurately and further improve the technical efficiency of their operations.

This study investigates the impact of the country’s governance on the revenue efficiency in the banking sectors of 42 Islamic banks in 15 countries offering Islamic banking and financial services. Technical efficiencies of individual Islamic banks were analyzed using the Data Envelopment Analysis method. The Ordinary Least Square estimation method is employed to examine the impact of country supervision and regulation on the technical efficiency of Islamic banks. With robustness check, the study assesses the impact of bank regulations and supervision on the efficiency of Islamic banks operating in different regions. The empirical findings suggest that supervisory power, activity restrictions, and private monitoring positively influence the efficiency of Islamic banks. On the other hand, we observe a negative impact of capital requirement on Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries. The findings indicate that supervisory power, activity restrictions, and private monitoring positively influence the efficiency of Islamic banks in Asia, but vice versa on capital requirement in MENA countries. This study will contribute to the body of knowledge by assessing the types of reforms in bank regulations and supervision that work best for Islamic banks in order to increase the level of efficiency and the level of regulations and supervision of Islamic banks.

This study investigates the impact of bank regulation and supervision on the efficiency of banking sectors on 108 Islamic banks from 26 countries offering Islamic banking and finance products and services. The technical efficiencies of individual Islamic banks have been analyzed using the data envelopment analysis method (DEA). The ordinary least square estimation method is employed to examine the impact of country supervision and regulation on the technical efficiency of Islamic banks. The empirical findings suggest that supervisory power, activity restrictions and private monitoring positively influence the efficiency of Islamic banks. The study revealed that Islamic banks that are operating in Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and middle-income countries are more technically efficient given the less stringent rules on capital requirement and we found that there is statistically significant evidence that higher capital requirements are negatively associated with the efficiency of Islamic banks. The empirical findings of this study are expected to help policy-makers and government officials to better understand how their decisions affect the performance.

The study aims to compare the effects of employing investment deposits (joint and specified investment deposits) in Islamic banks, and investment deposits (term deposits and deposits with notification) at conventional banks, on shareholders’ profitability, represented by the earnings per share (EPS), in light of operational profits as a controlling variable. Data related to the study variables was collected from the annual financial reports published by the study sample banks, during the period (2009-2018). The study relies on multiple regression to test the hypotheses of the study. The high adjusted R² to explain the change in EPS for Islamic banks model as compared to conventional banks, is a result of the high difference between investment deposits (specified and joint) at Jordanian Islamic banks and investment deposits (term deposits and deposits with notification) at Jordanian conventional banks. The study found that it is important for the managements of Islamic banks to adopt a uniform method to combine speculative funds, in order to develop and improve shareholders’ profitability. The study recommended Islamic banks to follow practical, methodological and transparent approaches to calculate the rates of Murabaha profit margins between shareholders and depositors, while also taking into consideration some of the issues which could be harmful for the competition between Islamic and conventional banks.

This paper investigates the effect of market structure, including some bank-specific variables and macroeconomic conditions, on the profitability of Indonesian Islamic rural banks. We apply the structure conduct performance (SCP) and the relative market power (RMP) hypothesis. Panel data comprising 142 Islamic rural banks from 2013Q1 to 2018Q4 are employed. This study breaks them apart, associated with the level of economic development consisting of Java as developed regions and outside Java as less developed regions. This study employs static and dynamic panel regression. The GMM method, however, is appropriate because of the dynamic nature of profitability. Our results confirm the SCP hypothesis and fail to support the RMP hypothesis. The higher market concentration allows Islamic rural banks to generate a significantly higher profit by conducting a collusive strategy. More interestingly, the collusive behavior may result in more profit for Islamic rural banks located in the developed regions than those in less developed regions. Evidence also highlights the importance of operating efficiency and impaired financing on profitability. High operating efficiency and low impaired financing can improve profit. Our results suggest that capitalizing market share by improving efficiency and optimizing financing contracts between PLS and non-PLS contracts also improve profit.

Service quality of any institution is a pull factor for attracting and retaining the customer. The present study examines the customer satisfaction level toward the quality of service offered by the Islamic banks in Oman. It also aims to find out which dimension influences customer satisfaction more concerning the other dimension chosen for the study. To fulfil the need of the study, a structured questionnaire is distributed amongst 100 customers of Islamic banks. The random stratified sampling technique is used for the collection of the data. The collected data is analyzed using the correlation and the multiple linear regression techniques. The result of the study indicates that timely service provided by the banking personnel has a mean score of 4.57, bank staff readiness to serve the customer has a mean score of 4.36, and the security of the banking operation has a mean score of 4.37 occupies the highest rank in their respective dimension chosen for the study. The study reveals that all three dimensions of quality of service represented by Services Reliability, Services Responsiveness and Services Security have a positive and significant correlation with customer satisfaction. The regression results also indicate that all three dimensions influence customer satisfaction of the Islamic banks.

This paper investigates the impact of profit and loss sharing (PLS) contracts on non-performing financing of Islamic rural banks as Islamic small banks focus on small and medium enterprises at province level across country. Our study employs panel data, consisting of 142 Islamic rural banks and using quarterly data from 2013Q1 to 2018Q4, and splits them based on the bank’s size and geographical area. Both static and dynamic panel regressions are then applied. The results obviously indicate that a high proportion of profit and loss sharing contracts leads to high financing risk. The large Islamic banks encounter a higher non-performing financing stemming from profit and loss contracts compared to small Islamic banks. Profit and loss contracts also produce higher financing risk for Islamic banks outside Java, as those areas are less developed areas than Java itself. A more efficient Islamic bank is less financing risk. Income diversification lessens the impaired financing and, more particularly, large Islamic banks and Islamic banks located in Java much benefit by diversifying income and financing to lower financing risk. Our study suggests that Islamic rural banks may consider the optimal level of profit and loss sharing contracts to minimize financing risk.

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.

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.

This study has two main purposes; first, it examines the effect of capital structure on profitability of Islamic and conventional banks; second, it determines that whether the capital structure of Islamic and conventional banks is same or not. A sample of ten banks was taken over the period 2006-2016. Independent samples T-test was used for finding the comparison between the capital structure of Islamic and conventional banks while for assessing the impact of capital structure on profitability, regression analysis (Fixed effects model) was used. Results showed that the capital structure of both types of banks was similar except for bank size which differed significantly. Moreover, ROA was negatively correlated to the capital structure of both conventional and Islamic banks. In contrast, ROE was positively correlated to the capital structure of both conventional and Islamic banks. In addition to that, two explanatory variables were positively correlated while two were negatively correlated to EPS for both Islamic and conventional banks. This study proves the existence of prominent theories of capital structure (pecking order theory and trade-off theory) for both conventional and Islamic banks in Pakistan and also validates the economies of scale.

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.

The study aims to explore key dimensions of service quality of E-Retailing of Islamic banks in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The convenience sample size consists of 373 respondents who regularly use online Islamic banking facilities in Saudi Arabia was used. For measuring the consumers’ perspective, a four-factor E-SERVQUAL scale; namely efficiency, system availability, fulfillment, and privacy was used. Exploratory Factor Analysis and Confirmatory Factor Analysis are used to test the model fitness. Structural equation modelling is utilized to determine the impact of E-service quality dimensions on customers’ satisfaction. The results of the study reveal that 1) reliability as a dimension of E-retailing of Islamic banks made a significant impact on customers’ overall satisfaction; 2) there is a positive significant relationship between responsiveness and customers’ overall satisfaction. One unit increased in responsive leads to 0.763 unit increases in the overall satisfaction of the customer; and 3) ease of use is the most important dimensions of service quality of E-retailing of Islamic banks. One unit increases in Security/ Privacy leads to 0.473 unit increases in overall satisfaction. There is a positive impact of good E-service on customers’ satisfaction, but it does not override unsatisfactory performance in other areas.

Under the Act No. 21 of 2008, Islamic banks in Indonesia as an intermediary institution are obligated to manage the resources simultaneously, the financial funds as well as the social funds, e.g. zakah, infaq, and sadaqah. This study aims to investigate the productivity change of social funds and financial funds of Islamic Banks in Indonesia. Non-parametric tests of Malmquist Productivity Index (MPI) is applied to annual data from period 2012 to 2017, encompassing post-reform of banking authority from Bank Indonesia to The Financial Services Authority (OJK) at 2012. The samples are nine Islamic banks in Indonesia which were able to provide the data during observation period. The results indicate that social funds are more productive than financial funds and productivity change tends to trade off. The productivity of social funds is progressed by 8.2% while the financial funds is regressed by 5.4%. Overall, the productivity change of Islamic banks is influenced by technological aspect rather than the efficiency aspect. Besides, BRI Syariah is the best performer in managing financial funds while BCA Syariah as the best performer in social funds. It implies that the policymakers may strengthen the supervisory and coaching to increase the Islamic banks’ productivity in both activities.

Service quality has been a point of discussion from the decades as it is important for customer satisfaction, loyalty and retention. Various models have been proposed to measure the quality in the service sector. Models are modified in accordance with context and geography to assess the quality of service better. This study aims to investigate the impact of the modified e-SERVQUAL model on the customer perception about the existing relation and potential scope of doing business with a bank which in-turn will decide the performance of the bank. Statistical data was analyzed through various tests like reliability analysis, correlation and regression analysis using SPSS 25.0. The primary data of e-SQ and performance was gathered from 721 internet banking users using 32 item questionnaire, representing 72% response rates, of four selected Islamic banks of Malaysia. E-SERQUAL was modified by adding Shariah Compliance information about banks and products for Islamic banking customers. The finding specified that efficient & reliable services, fulfillment, security/trust, and Shariah compliance information have a significant association with the performance of Islamic banks. The research is original and its implications will be helpful for Islamic banks across the world to enhance the online experience of customers, which will help them to retain the customers in the rapid changing virtual environment.

PurposeThemaingoalsofthisstudyare(1)tostudythe–informationsourcesusedthemostbycustomersofIslamicbanks;and(2)tocomparethiswithconventionalbankcustomers. Researchdesign,data,andmethodology125Islamicbank–customersand125conventionalbankcustomersweresurveyed.Thestudyemployedtwoindependentsampletests.Additionally,anexploratorystudywasconductedtosupportthequantitative analysis. ResultTheresultsshowthatIslamicbankcustomersuse–personalaswellasmarketinginformationsourcesmorein-tenselythanconventionalbankcustomers,althoughtheresultdifferenceswerenotsignificant.Specifically,customersofIslamicbanksusecertainpersonalresources(parentsandfriends)andmarketinginformation(marketers)intenselythancon-ventionalbankcustomers. ConclusionThestudyrevealedthatfriendsandparentsare–themostimportantinformationsourcesfortheselectionoftheIslamicbank.Inaddition,basedontheresourcesused,Islamicbankingcustomerscanbeclassifiedastraditionalandreligiouscommunities.Therefore,themosteffectivecustomercommunica-tionswillbethroughIslamicgroupssuchasIslamicsocialin-stitutionsandIslamiceducationalinstitutions.

Purpose – This paper aims to study the main selection criteria for Islamic banks in Indonesia, and to compare them with those for conventional banks. Research Design, Data, and Methodology – This study employs an exploratory approach and a natural experimental design with Factor Analysis and two independent sample tests as statistical analysis methods. A total of 363 questionnaires were distributed to three groups of bank customers–customers of Islamic and conventional banks individually, and those of both banks together (121 respondents in each group). Results – The research shows that service appears to be the most important factor in selecting Islamic banks, in addition to other emotional and rational factors. However, this service cannot be expressed as the Islamic banks' advantage compared to conventional banks, because the latter's customers also perceived service as the most important factor. The parametric mean of importance of service for both Islamic and conventional banks' customers is insignificantly different. Conclusion – Customers of both conventional and Islamic banks have a similar degree of importance for convenience, price, and service.

This paper aims to provide an overview of customer trust toward Islamic banks, and to study the effect of trust on the selection of Islamic banks services. A total 375 questionnaires were distributed to the three groups of bank customers, i.e. Islamic banks customers, conventional banks customers, and customers of both banks (125 respondents in each group). Trust is measured based on three constructs, namely Ability, Integrity, and Benevolence. To test the hypothesis this study employs Analysis of Variance and Tukey Test. The results show that bank customers have degree of trust towards Islamic banks relatively high enough, although among the respondents had never become customers of Islamic banks. Benevolence as the dimension with the lowest average score revealed the Islamic banks are more believed as a competent and honest bank in carrying out the business than the bank that will work for the benefit of customers. Other findings suggest that degree of trust have significant affects on the decision for using the Islamic banks services. The positive values that embedded in the concepts and systems of the Islamic is the key to improving the competitiveness of Islamic banks.