International Journal of Islamic and Middle Eastern Finance and Management最新文献

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the conditional equicorrelation and cross-quantile dependence between the DeFi, European and GCC currency markets (Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates).

Design/methodology/approach

This study applies the GARCH-DECO model and cross-quantilogram framework.

Findings

The findings reveal evidence of weak and negative average equicorrelations between the examined markets through time, excluding the COVID-19 outbreak and Russia–Ukraine conflict, which is consistent with the literature examining relationships in different markets. From the cross-quantilogram model, the authors note that the dependence between DeFi, EURO and GCC foreign exchange rate markets is greatest in the short run and diminishes over the medium- and long-term horizons, indicating rapid information processing between the markets under consideration, as most innovations are transmitted in the short term.

Practical implications

For the pairs of DeFi and currency markets, the static and dynamic optimal weights and hedging ratios are also estimated, providing new empirical data for portfolio managers and investors.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is one of the most important research looking into the conditional correlation and predictability between the DeFi, EURO and GCC foreign exchange markets. More importantly, this study provides the first empirical proof of the safe-haven, hedging and diversification qualities of DeFi, EURO and GCC currencies, and this work also covers the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia–Ukraine war with the use of a single dynamic measure produced by the GARCH-DECO model. In addition, the directional predictability between variables under consideration using the cross-quantilogram model is examined, which can be capable of capturing the asymmetry in the quantile dependent structure. The findings are helpful for both policymakers and investors in improving their trading selections and strategies for risk management in different market conditions.

Purpose

Explaining the sources of the differences in social performance among Islamic banks (IBs) is the motivation for this research. Consequently, the purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between the development of Islamic finance regulation, the development of an Islamic financial system, the proportions of affected Muslim populations and the level of competition, on the one hand, and the social performance of IBs, on the other. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first study that investigates the impact of the development of regulation and the Islamic financial system on the social performance of IBs.

Design/methodology/approach

A balanced panel of annual data for 40 banks from 13 countries is applied, spanning 2012–2018. A social performance index with eight dimensions is constructed and measures the social performance of IBs. The index based on qualitative and quantitative data derives from IBs’ annual reports and financial statements. The linear scaling transformation method articulates the quantitative dimensions of the index. In hypotheses testing, the authors use OLS, LSDV, FEM and Random Effect Model to estimate Model (1) and panel-corrected standard errors with Prais–Winsten transformation to estimate Model (2).

Findings

This unique research confirms the positive impact of the development of Islamic finance regulation on the social performance of IBs. The results show that the development of Islamic finance regulation is consistently significant on all standard significance levels. IBs’ age and the presence of Muslim populations in the country are also significant in most estimators.

Research limitations/implications

The results of this research highlight a significant value for regulators, shareholders and the management of IBs. Without proper regulation, these banks can hardly operate under the principles and expectations of the Islamic moral economy.

Originality/value

This is pioneering research that explores the development of Islamic finance regulation and market concentration as a determinant of social performance of IBs. Development of Islamic finance regulation has proved significant in all estimated models, which confirms that a new variable has been discovered among determinants of the social performance of IBs.

Purpose

Despite its potential as an emerging market for Islamic financial services, Uzbekistan has lagged in legislative support. This study aims to evaluate the feasibility of introducing an Islamic capital market (ICM) in Uzbekistan, preceding a broader industry establishment.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors begin by assessing Islamic finance literacy and the potential demand for ICMs in Uzbekistan. The authors then scrutinize Uzbekistan’s capital market legislation and its readiness. This analysis uses primary data, including surveys and interviews, and secondary data from literature and financial legislation.

Findings

This study highlights a significant demand for ICMs, despite low Islamic finance awareness in Uzbekistan. Presently, Uzbekistan’s capital market development is lacking, with regulations not yet suitable for ICMs. As a result, legal and operational enhancements are needed.

Practical implications

The authors provide essential policy recommendations for authorities and practitioners to facilitate the effective launch of ICMs and enhance Uzbekistan’s capital market stature.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study offering an in-depth analysis of the potential and feasibility of ICMs in Uzbekistan.

Purpose

This study aims to empirically investigate the sustainability and performance of Bank Wakaf Mikro (hereafter called BWM), which is a waqf-based microfinance in the context of Indonesia.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use several model specifications. The specifications mainly take the BWM’s characteristics and governance into account. The authors use a standard-panel data approach with a fixed-effects model as the Hausman test result favors the fixed-effects model. The authors collected monthly data from the Indonesia Financial Services Authority for the period 2018–2020. The detailed data, 39 BWM enabling us to observe the financial, social and governance elements of BWMs.

Findings

The results reveal interesting findings. The authors find that BWM characteristics, governance and social capital are significant in shaping BWM’s sustainability, performance and risk. Furthermore, the authors find that BWM located in a province with higher lending density has lower performance than those located in a province with lower lending density. The results provide some evidence on how waqf-based microfinance could achieve both economic and social goals. It could provide perspectives for stakeholders in designing microfinance institutions.

Originality/value

This paper is the first to empirically study the waqf-based microfinance institutions in Indonesia by looking at the determinants of performance and sustainability of those institutions.

Purpose

Stock markets are highly sensitive to foreign and domestic events. Stock exchange markets react promptly to news and are known as an indicator of good and bad trading conditions. Terrorist attacks leave adverse effects on the economy and cause stock price volatility and, consequently, stock return volatility. Therefore, this paper aims to analyze the spatial effects of terrorism on stock market returns in the Middle East from 2008 to 2019.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses analytical research design and estimates spatial model. Before estimating the spatial model, the spillover effects were confirmed for the spatial autoregressive model using Moran’s diagnostic test for spatial dependence, Geary’s C test and Akaike statistic.

Findings

The results of this study on spatial panel data and based on spatial autoregressive estimator indicated that terrorism and associated neighborhood effects had a negative impact on stock returns in Middle East countries. Also, the corruption index and oil price negatively affected stock market return in these countries, while the democracy index had a positive effect on stock market returns. According to the results, to achieve a high and stable stock market return, it is recommended that high-level consultation is pursued with leaders of involved countries to reduce the devastating effects of terrorist activities, increase political and economic stability, attract stockholders to stock markets and spend corresponding incomes developing the infrastructures in this sector in countries of this region.

Originality/value

Most of the studies have investigated the impact of terrorism on the stock market returns at the national or provincial level. However, the effect of terrorism on the stock market index in the tense region of the Middle East, which is the center of terrorist attacks in the world, has not been dealt with by considering the spatial econometric effects. Thus, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, this research is a first attempt to study the impact of terrorism on the stock market returns in Middle East countries using the spatial econometric approach.