Sharia boards, managerial strategies and governance practices in Islamic banks: Critical insights using Goffman’s lens

Purpose – The study applies Erving Goffman’s (1974) “frame analysis” principles to examine how Sharia governance is practiced in Islamic banks and explores the interaction and strategies adopted by bank managers to influence the decisions of Sharia scholars. The study also aims to identify inherent flaws in the Sharia compliance review system. Design/methodology/approach – The study employs the principles of Goffman as a lens to critically analyse a rich dataset obtained through interviews undertaken with 46 key players operating in the governance framework of the Malaysian Islamic banking industry due to its progressive Islamic governance framework. Findings – The study demonstrates that managers of Islamic banks may engage in “passing” and “covering” strategies while interacting within the governance structure. Concurrently, Sharia boards (SBs) implement “protective practices” during their interactions, adding complexity to their responsibilities within the banks. Consequently, SBs cannot merely be viewed as instruments for legitimising banking operations. This raises questions about the “impression management,” “concealment” and “competence” strategies employed by managers and SB members, as suggested by Goffman’s framework. These findings indicate that there is room for further enhancement in the governance practices of Islamic banks. Research limitations/implications – Future research could explore aspects related to the governance of Islamic banks, such as investigating the independence and effectiveness of internal Sharia officers. Examining the strategies employed during their interactions with external Sharia boards and other stakeholders could provide further valuable insights. Practical implications – By highlighting shortcomings in the governance and compliance review process, the findings could serve as a valuable resource for policymakers. The insights derived could inform the development of regulations aimed at reducing opportunistic behaviour and promoting accountability in the Islamic banking sector. Originality/value – This study uniquely employs Goffman’s concepts of “frontstage” and “backstage” strategies to offer insights into the interactions between Islamic bank managers and SBs and the impact of these interactions on Sharia compliance. The study contributes to the understanding of the dynamics between key players in the governance of Islamic banks and the factors influencing their adherence to Sharia principles

A new Version of High Stability Output 12-Bit Tracking Analog to Digital Converter

    In this paper a 12-bit tracking analog-to-digital converter (ADC) is designed and its performance is verified. It continuously tests the analog input signal and makes correction when necessary. The resulting digital equivalent of the analog input signal is continuously updated. The least significant bit (LSB) of this converter jumps up and down to track the analog input and this causes the final output to be unstable. To overcome the problem of instability in the digital output the 12-bit tracking ADC is modified by introducing the test bit B0. The test bit is designed to have a voltage equals to that of the LSB. It always sets or resets in tracking the analog value. Using this technique the digital output B1 to B12 of the converter is maintained stable. Test and measurements are performed in the converter circuit to demonstrate the practicality of this version.              &nbsp

On the fuzzy nature of constructed algebraic structure

No Abstract

Superconducting Properties of the (Bi0.8Pb0.2)2(Sr0.9Ba0.1)2 Ca2Cu3-x Nix O10+? System.

The effect of substitution of Ni on Cu in (Bi0.8Pb0.2)2(Sr0.9Ba0.1)2 Ca2Cu3-x Nix O10+? for (x=0,0.1….1,2,3) superconductor system and sintering time has been investigated .The samples were prepared by solid-state reaction methods. The results show that the optimum sintering temperature is equal to 850 ºC, and the sintering time is equal to 140 h. The highest transition temperature (Tc) obtained for (Bi0.8Pb0.2)2(Sr0.9Ba0.1)2 Ca2Cu3-x NixO10+? composition was 113 with x=0.8 Phase analyses of the samples by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis showed an orthorhombic structure with a high Tc phases (2223) as a dominant phase and low Tc phase (2212) in addition to some impurity phases

Effect of sintering time on Bi1.6Pb0.4Sr1.8Ba0.2Ca2Cu3O10+? compound quenched in air and liquid nitrogen

High temperature superconductor with nominal composition Bi1.6Pb0.4Sr1.8Ba0.2Ca2 Cu3O10+? was prepared by solid state reaction method. Two sets of samples have been prepared .The first one was quenched in air; the second set was quenched in liquid nitrogen. X-ray diffraction analyses showed an orthorhombic structure with two phases, high –Tc phase (2223) and low-Tc phase (2212) in addition to that impure phase was found. It has been observed that quenched in air samples display a sharp superconducting transition and a higher-Tc phase than that of the quenched in liquid nitrogen samples

The divider set of explicit parametric geometry

In this paper we describe a novel concept for classification of complex parametric geometry based on the concept of the Divider Set. The Divider Set is an alternative concept to maximal disks, Voronoi sets and cut loci. The Divider Set is based on a formal definition relating to topology and differential geometry. In this paper firstly we discuss the formal definition of the Divider Set for complex 3-dimensional geometry. This is then followed by the introduction of a computationally feasible algorithm for computing the Divider Set for geometry which can be defined in explicit parametric form. Thus, an explicit solution form taking advantage of the special form of the parametric geometry is presented. We also show how the Divider Set can be computed for various complex parametric geometry by means of illustrating our concept through a number of example

Investigation on the Metabolic Regulation of pgi gene knockout Escherichia coli by Enzyme Activities and Intracellular Metabolite Concentrations

An integrated analysis of the cell growth characteristics, enzyme activities, intracellular metabolite concentrations was made to investigate the metabolic regulation of pgi gene knockout Escherichia coli based on batch culture and continuous culture which was performed at the dilution rate of 0.2h-1. The enzymatic study identified that pathways of pentose phosphate, ED pathway and glyoxylate shunt were all active in pgi mutant. The glycolysis enzymes i.e glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, fructose diphosphatase, pyruvate kinase, triose phosphate isomerase were down regulated implying that the inactivation of pgi gene reduced the carbon flux through glycolytic pathway. Meanwhile, the pentose phosphate pathway was active as a major route for intermediary carbohydrate metabolism instead of glycolysis. The pentose phosphate pathway generates most of the major reducing co-factor NADPH as shown by the increased of NADPH/NADP+ ratio in the mutant when compared with the parent strain. The fermentative enzymes such as acetate kinase and lactate dehydrogenase were down regulated in the mutant. Knockout of pgi gene results in the significant increase in the intracellular concentration of glucose-6-phosphate and decrease in the concentration of oxaloacetate. The slow growth rate of the mutant was assumed to be affected by the accumulation of glucose-6-phosphate and imbalance of NADPH reoxidation