LIBYAN INVESTORS’ INTENTION TO INVEST IN ISLAMIC SUKUK: THEORY OF PLANNED BEHAVIOUR APPROACH

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to study the factors that influence the attitude of Libyan investors on investing in Islamic bonds. Design / Methodology / Approach: A modified questionnaire was used in this study to answer research questions and test the evolving hypothesis. Questionnaires containing 39 items were distributed and collected from 409 respondents as representatives of investors in Libyan banks. The data collected was analyzed using PLS SEM. Results: The results obtained using the theory of planned behavior (TPB) indicate that knowledge of Islamic Sukuk, perceived control and the impact of Sharia compliance have an important positive relationship with the attitude towards investing in Islamic sukuk. In practical terms, the results indicate that there is no significant difference in investment in Sukuk between Libyan investors, based on the gender of the investors. Originality / value: the current study is the first of its kind to be conducted in Libya. as far as the authors know, there are no studies that focus specifically on socio-economic factors that affect investor intention to trade in sukuk. The result of the study may be useful in countries with similar banking cultures such as Libya. Socially, the result will be beneficial for Libyan investors by helping them explore the benefits of the Sukuk product as one of the less risky and most profitable Islamic financial products. JEL: D25; E22; G11  Article visualizations

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND THEIR IMPACT ON THE GROWTH OF INVESTMENT – A STUDY ON THE LIBYAN MARKET

Purpose: The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between Financial instruments and growth of investment. Design/Methodology/Approach: The distributed questionnaires include 300 clients from banks and companies represented in Tripoli. The data collected was analyzed using SPSS- SEM. Results: The obtained results showed that indicated that, despite the modest progress made in a very short time regarding all indicators which the paper calculated, however, it can be said that Libyan stock market remain largely underdeveloped, small and relatively inefficient. Its market capitalization to GDP is very low and investors have no access to long-term capital. In addition, the market still has very low liquidity and investors still have a limited choice of financial instruments and face liquidity problems. Originality/Value: This study contributes significantly to the importance of diversity in the use of financial instruments that help in the growth of investment. The study added a new discussion, which is the disclosure that financial instruments affect the growth of domestic investment, especially by easing financing restrictions, which allows companies to increase investment in response to increased demand for production. The main finding is that the structure of the financial system does not have an independent effect on investment growth, in the sense that it does not enhance the response of investment to changes in production, whereas financial development makes investment more responsive to output growth. Thus, instead of promoting a specific type of financial instrument, countries should implement policies that reduce transaction costs in financial intermediation and enforce the rights of creditors and investors. This will facilitate the development of banks and stock markets, which will stimulate the growth of domestic investment. JEL: D53; G14; O1

Perceived organizational support (POS), organizational commitment and turnover intentions amongst employees in Malaysian Banking Industry

Employee turnover is considered to be an ongoing problem in different organizations.This goes a long way to disturb the growth, productivity and increases the cost of organization by recruiting new employees and causes sharing of knowledge.In fact, retaining of talent is now becoming more critical in the world where the human capabilities of an organization are vital source of competitive advantage.To control employee turnover, this study tried to develop a linkage between Perceived Organizational Support (POS) and Organizational Commitment.Therefore, the ultimate objective of this study is to investigate the impact of Perceived Organizational Support (POS) and Organizational Commitment on Turnover Intention. To achieve this objective, four hypotheses are proposed concerning the relationship of Perceived Organizational Support (POS) and Organizational Commitment (i.e., affective commitment, continuous commitment, normative commitment) with Turnover Intention. Data was collected through 5-point likert scale and 300-questionnaires were distributed among the employees of bank by using convenience sampling.The data was analyzed using SPSS version 22.Results of the study revealed that significant negative relationship exists between Perceived Organizational Support (POS), Organizational Commitment and Turnover Intentions among the employees.Hence, this study is contributing in the body of knowledge by exploring a linkage between Perceived Organizational Support (POS) and Organizational Commitment to enhance employee retention and tried to resolve the important issue of Turnover Intention by developing a framework. This study is more significant for practitioners to control employee turnover by exercising good practices of Perceived Organizational Support (POS) and Organizational Commitment

THE ROLE OF AWARENESS AND SHARI’AH-COMPLIANT AS MODERATOR ON THE INTENTION TO INVEST IN ISLAMIC SUKUK – A STUDY OF LIBYAN INVESTORS: THEORY OF REASONED ACTION APPROACH

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to investigate and disclose the role of awareness and shari’ah-compliant as moderator on the intention to invest in Islamic Sukuk. The study also tests theory of reasoned action (TRA) as well as to examine the moderating effect of awareness and shari’ah in the relationship between attitude and intention to invest in Islamic Sukuk. Design / Methodology / Approach: A total of 309 modified questionnaires in this study to answer questions and test research hypotheses. The data collected was analyzed using PLS SEM. Results: Use the theory of reasoned action (TRA) and descriptive statistics, presence and extent of legitimacy disclosure the sukuk were verified in Islamic financial institutions represented by Libyan banks. The research found that there is empirical evidence that explains the effect of the compatibility of Sharia and the attitude towards Investment in Islamic Sukuk and the important role of subjective pressure from ‘Ulamaa’ raising awareness and encouraging investment in Islamic Sukuk products that are characterized by Sharia. Originality / Value: This study makes a significant contribution to the current legitimacy of the Sukuk structure and the importance of investing in it. The study added a new discussion, that is, disclosure of the legitimacy of the sukuk and its compatibility with halal investment. The study aims to increase public awareness of the legitimacy of the sukuk in the importance of compliance with Sharia law not only in form but also in substance. In addition, this study will provide more benefits to Islamic finance institutions and financial banks in the sense that they must amend some of their regulatory frameworks to push the sukuk investors in the market to move towards an asset-backed structure with less risk. JEL: D25; E22; G11  Article visualizations

The prevalence of sedentary behavior among university students in Saudi Arabia

Abstract Background A considerable body of research has demonstrated that reducing sitting time benefits health. Therefore, the current study aimed to explore the prevalence of sedentary behavior (SB) and its patterns. Methods A total of 6975 university students (49.1% female) were chosen randomly to participate in a face-to-face interview. The original English version of the sedentary behavior questionnaire (SBQ) was previously translated into Arabic. Then, the validated Arabic version of the SBQ was used to assess SB. The Arabic SBQ included 9 types of SB (watching television, playing computer/video games, sitting while listening to music, sitting and talking on the phone, doing paperwork or office work, sitting and reading, playing a musical instrument, doing arts and crafts, and sitting and driving/riding in a car, bus or train) on weekdays and weekends. Results SBQ indicated that the total time of SB was considerably high (478.75 ± 256.60 and 535.86 ± 316.53 (min/day) during weekdays and weekends, respectively). On average, participants spent the most time during the day doing office/paperwork (item number 4) during weekdays (112.47 ± 111.11 min/day) and weekends (122.05 ± 113.49 min/day), followed by sitting time in transportation (item number 9) during weekdays (78.95 ± 83.25 min/day) and weekends (92.84 ± 100.19 min/day). The average total sitting time of the SBQ was 495.09 ± 247.38 (min/day) and 58.4% of the participants reported a high amount of sitting time (≥ 7 hours/day). Independent t-test showed significant differences (P ≤ 0.05) between males and females in all types of SB except with doing office/paperwork (item number 4). The results also showed that male students have a longer daily sitting time (521.73 ± 236.53 min/day) than females (467.38 ± 255.28 min/day). Finally, 64.1% of the males reported a high amount of sitting time (≥ 7 hours/day) compared to females (52.3%). Conclusion In conclusion, the total mean length of SB in minutes per day for male and female university students was considerably high. About 58% of the population appeared to spend ≥7 h/day sedentary. Male university students are likelier to sit longer than female students. Our findings also indicated that SB and physical activity interventions are needed to raise awareness of the importance of adopting an active lifestyle and reducing sitting time