Islamic Finance

The thesis reviews factors that have prohibited affordable housing in poor societies, and examines the applicability of Islamic models in housing fields in Malaysia. Perceptions of Islamic ideas in action are also surveyed, according to both "influentials" and grassroots levels. "Influentials" balance Islamic beliefs and pressures on policy development, at the grassroots level, some households seem open in accepting modern values and in interpreting Islamic values in the context of time and place.

The thesis addresses whether the presence or absence of a financial profit motive alter management decisions and require the creation of a Decision Support System (DSS. Case studies were made of the Kuwait Finance House (KFH) and the Kuwait

The Thesis investigates the compatibility/incompatibility of Islamic Banking practice with Western conventional banking in the global financial environment, in the context of finance, an area in which key differences of principle and practice exist between

This study assesses the financial status of SMEs, and investigates the finance gaps in the manufacturing sector through evaluating the opinions of both the suppliers and the demanders of funds. The main findings indicate an information gap, rather than a debt gap, as the problem. The SMEs are often reluctant to provide information concerning their business activities and financial position, and prefer to use their own funds, notably internal sources of finance such as retained profits.

This thesis discusses the changes in the religious perception of usury, and analyzes the local as well as international circumstances that generated a suitable environment for the establishment and growth of Islamic banking are analyzed. Structural changes have liberalized international financial environment since the 1980s, which facilitated the acceptance of Islamic banks by Western banks. The thesis takes Kuwait as a case study in which Islamic financial institutions pose a real threat to conventional banking.

The findings of the research reveal that religion was the main factor influencing client or employee decisions to deal with or work for Islamic banks. Profit potential, competitive services, and better access to finance also helped to attract the clients in different degrees. A survey of employees revealed that there were concerns with the lack of uniformity in accounting policies and auditing standards, and employees showed a lack of understanding and some confusion over the documentation of the new types of Shariah compliant transactions.

This study measures the perceived level of service quality in the UAE Islamic banks, using a modified SERVQUAL model. The study attempts to determine the extent of the correlation and relationship that might exist between the service quality dimensions and Islamic banking variables on the one hand and between these and the independent variables on the other.