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This research aims to investigate the factors that can influence Bumiputera contractors’ acceptance of the Contractor’s All Risks (CAR) takāful (Islamic insurance) product using the theory of reasoned action (TRA).

Using the method of quantitative surveys, 414 questionnaires were collected from targeted Bumiputera contractors in Malaysia (grade G1 to grade G7), except in Sabah and Sarawak, that are registered with the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) and are also members of Persatuan Kontraktor Melayu Malaysia (PKMM). The data was analysed using the partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) technique.

The findings from the PLS-SEM analysis show that attitude, subjective norm, religiosity and awareness have a positive relationship with Bumiputera contractors’ acceptance of the CAR takāful product. Religiosity appeared to be the most significant factor influencing Bumiputera contractors’ acceptance of the CAR takāful product.

The respondents in this study only comprised Bumiputera contractors in Peninsular Malaysia, excluding those from Sabah and Sarawak. Therefore, it is not possible to generalise the findings to a broader population.

Takāful operators and their sales and marketing departments need to act proactively in promoting the benefits of investing in CAR takāful that follows Sharīʾah (Islamic law) rules and principles. They should create mechanisms to market CAR takāful better, thus accelerating its acceptance rate among contractors.

The paper uses the proposed extended TRA model, which includes the variables of religiosity and awareness in the TRA model. These variables were successfully integrated in the model, and the findings show that they have significantly contributed to the acceptance of the CAR takāful product among Bumiputera contractors.

This study aims to expand the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) to understand determinants of financial inclusion participation behaviour through the mediating effect of Islamic finance product (IFP) adoption.

A quantitative research design was deployed using primary data from a survey conducted within the Muslim-dominated regions in Nigeria, which was analysed using partial least squares structural equation modelling.

It was found that the original TPB variables, attitude, subjective norms, perceived behavioural control (PBC) and behavioural intention have strong positive influences on financial inclusion participation behaviour, however, among the new variables, government support and IFPs adoption directly influence, while awareness and access to banking and digital channels were not. Furthermore, IFPs adoption significantly mediates the relationship between attitude, behavioural intention, government support and access to banking and digital channels and financial inclusion participation, but it failed to mediate that of subjective norms, PBC and awareness.

These findings imply the need to establish more Islamic financial institutions or conventional banks to introduce IFPs in Muslim-dominated regions in Nigeria, as such products are desirable in expanding financial inclusion. While such is being pursued, policymaking bodies responsible for financial inclusion should design appropriate programmes to create awareness of IFPs for expanding financial inclusion.

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study could be the first to expand the TPB by integrating IFP adoption as a mediator within the context of financial inclusion participation as well as the incorporation of awareness, government support and access to banking and digital channels as additional variables.

This paper aims to explore the strategies used by venture capital (VC) firms in assisting entrepreneurs who have business potential but lack capital. The study also aims to investigate whether the VC strategy can be adopted by Islamic banks through musharakah financing.

Apart from content analysis, primary data were gathered from several interview sessions with the management of three VC firms and two Islamic banks.

Islamic banks in Malaysia have great potential to offer musharakah financing and mitigate risk by adopting the following five VC strategies: method of selection, channelling of funds, monitoring, non-capital assistance and period of investment. We propose the channelling of corporate social responsibility funds for musharakah financing as an initial step in applying VC strategy.

Given the limited number of willing and eligible respondents in Malaysia, the scope of this study can be widened to a cross-country analysis where musharakah financing is widely adopted.

This study motivates regulatory bodies and Islamic banks to consider musharakah financing using the risk monitoring strategy adopted from the VC industry.

This study is the first to empirically explore the strategy adopted by VC companies and evaluate whether such a strategy is suitable for the concept of musharakah financing.

Man has been seeking an ideal existence for a very long time. In this existence, justice, love, and peace are no longer words, but actual experiences. How ever, with the American preemptive invasion and occupation of Afghanistan and Iraq and the subsequent prisoner abuse, such an existence seems to be farther and farther away from reality. The purpose of this work is to stop this dangerous trend by promoting justice, love, and peace through a change of the paradigm that is inconsistent with justice, love, and peace. The strong paradigm that created the strong nation like the U.S. and the strong man like George W. Bush have been the culprit, rather than the contributor, of the above three universal ideals. Thus, rather than justice, love, and peace, the strong paradigm resulted in in justice, hatred, and violence. In order to remove these three and related evils, what the world needs in the beginning of the third millenium is the weak paradigm. Through the acceptance of the latter paradigm, the golden mean or middle paradigm can be formulated, which is a synergy of the weak and the strong paradigm. In order to understand properly the meaning of these paradigms, however, some digression appears necessary.

This chapter reviews and compares Southeast Asia country practices on global, regional, and local practices for disaster risk assessment (DRA). DRA research and practices include and create a disaster risk management (DRM) solution. There are 11 countries in Southeast Asia, but only 10 countries are members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), except Timor-Leste. The key objective of ASEAN’s formation is cooperation in economic growth, social, regional peace and cultural development, disaster management cooperation, and humanitarian assistance at the regional level. The DRM system practiced in ASEAN member countries is discussed in this chapter. Furthermore, the system and findings of DRAs are also addressed. Globally, two DRA structures are discussed and compared, namely Index of Risk Management (INFORM) and World Risk Index (WRI). In addition, regional vulnerability assessment guidelines for regional and national levels are discussed. However, several selected studies and practices such as the Indonesian Risk Index (InaRISK) are being discussed at the local level. Overall, there is space for improvement of coordination in terms of data and technology sharing for DRM, especially for assessment. The finding of this review highlighted the complexity of DRA at the global and regional levels and encouraging community DRA among the ASEAN members.

Natural hazards cause enormous damage to human beings including loss of life and property. Although Malaysia is fortunate as it does not experience disasters such as volcanic eruptions and typhoons, the country is prone to flood and landslides. In December 2014, Malaysia was hit by the worst flood in Kelantan called Bah Kuning meaning yellow flood. The flood has caused thousands homeless. During the flood, the victims were evacuated to the nearest evacuation centres for shelter. However, the victims received little support due to agencies involved were unable to gain access. Lack of supporting transportation and infrastructure for disaster relief has caused deficiency in coordination. The evacuation preparedness for disaster management may be improved by integrating information through geographical information system (GIS). This research aims to assess and identify suitable locations for shelters and routes for disaster reliefs. The December 2014 flood was simulated using HEC-RAS and ArcGIS. Suitability analysis was used to determine best locations for helipads and routes based on the simulated inundated areas, roads, rivers and evacuations centres. The study also maps the best possible locations for evacuation centres and transportation modes for disaster reliefs.

Fluorocarbon (FC) gas, which contributes to the ozone depletion and global warming, is commonly used especially in the refrigeration and air conditioning (RAC) equipment. In Malaysia, lifecycle management of FC gas is still lacking at all stages, especially at the downstream level (maintenance, service, recycle, recovery, and destruction). Thus, the aim of this study is to assess the level of awareness of local stakeholders and consumers regarding FC gas management. Furthermore, the level of awareness among the consumers has been identified based on their educational background. Two sets of questionnaires were developed based on the dichotomous question types (yes/no) and were distributed to local stakeholders and consumers by using convenience sampling in two different programmes. The data were statistically analysed using IBM SPSS software. Findings demonstrate that, in contrast to consumers, local stakeholders have high level of awareness in every section. Remarkably, all non-engineering respondents have a low level of awareness about FC gas management. As a result, capacity building for consumers and service maintenance personnel who are heavily involved in middle steam and downstream lifecycle FC gas management is needed.

Green building is an outcome of a design that focuses on increasing the efficiency of resources use energy and national environment. A variety of assessment programmes were developed, such as green building incentive (GBI) had been implemented in Malaysia as a strong indication for the key player in the construction industry to use the opportunity for their companies by embracing the idea of green building focussing on renewable energies, energy conservation, green building, waste management, and support service. However, the current situation reveals that the incentives were not effective enough to encourage the key players to apply the green building concept in their development. The purpose of this research is to produce a new parameter of GBIs for construction key players in Malaysia. The participants of this research were among the implementer and policy maker in helping to produce new parameter on green building incentives in Malaysia. The significant of this new parameter is to provide some guidance to the government in improving and strengthen the prior incentive, hence increase the participation of key building players in green building development in Malaysia. Apart from that, the green incentives are considered to be valuable tools in generating interest, in creating a motive for the adoption of green building practices over conventional practices and in eliminating knowledge gaps.