Kamaruzaman Bin Noordin

Islamic Spirituality , Organizational Commitment and Organizational Citizenship Behavior : A Proposed Conceptual Framework

Despite the number of studies conducted on the concept of spirituality in the workplace, the benefits of workplace spirituality within organizations and the associated effects to outcome and performance level, there have been very few research attempts focusing on the religious aspects of spirituality. As such, the present study aims to improve employees’ performance by introducing the construct of Islamic spirituality in the workplace and explore its contribution to the overall development of modern organizations. This study proposes a theoretical framework of Islamic spirituality within the workplace and looks at the effect of Islamic spirituality to predictive employee behavior, with particular emphasis on organizational commitment and organizational citizenship behavior (OCB). This research concludes with a call for researchers to empirically examine the link between Islamic spirituality, organizational commitment, OCB, and job performance. This contribution to the body of existing literature aims to strengthen empirical research on the relationship between these constructs.

The measurement model of performance determinants: A case study of Islamic insurance (takaful) in Malaysia

Purpose The study aims to investigate the measurement model of four constructs, namely, spirituality at the workplace (SP), Islamic spirituality (ISP), organizational commitment (OC) and organizational citizenship behaviours (OCB). The study aims to contribute new knowledge to the existing literature whereby performance determinants comprising these constructs, serve to improve employee well-being which ultimately improves organizational performance. Design/methodology/approach Using disproportionate stratified random sampling, the survey data used for this empirical research were drawn from 482 employees working in takaful agencies in Malaysia. After yielding an instrument to measure SP, ISP, OCB and OC, principal component analysis (PCA) using SPSS and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) using AMOS were carried out. Findings Good fit indices from CFA revealed that OC is explained by three variables, namely, normative, continuance and affective; SP is also explained by three variables comprising alignment with organizational values (AWOV), sense of community (SC) and meaningful work (MW); ISP is explained by three variables comprising belief, forgiveness and remembrance of Allah; and finally, OCB is explained by civic virtue, conscientiousness and altruism. The findings of this study will enable Islamic insurance companies to understand the importance of spirituality and Islamic spirituality on well-being and will further improve their function and performance by way of enhancing employees’ spirituality in the workplace. Moreover, Human Resource development professionals, organizational managers and government authorities may use the findings of this study to justify their efforts in designing appropriate learning and performance improvement interventions so that OC, OCB, IS and ISP among non-Muslim and Muslim employees can be monitored and further enhanced. Originality/value This study raises awareness on the importance of four critical constructs that can be used by corporate organizations, NGOs and other institutions, to justify their efforts in performance improvement interventions.

The impact of workplace spirituality on organizational commitment: A case study of Takaful agents in Malaysia

Purpose Despite extensive studies on predictors and antecedents of organizational commitment, empirical research studies on the impact of workplace spirituality on organizational commitment remain scarce. This study aims to examine the impact of the dimensions of workplace spirituality on agents’ organizational commitment in Islamic insurance (Takaful) industry in Malaysia. Design/methodology/approach This study used a positivist research approach, comprising a quantitative basis of enquiry, and gathered data via survey questionnaires. In total, 600 questionnaires were distributed and finally 395 usable cases were selected for analysis. Pearson’s correlation and stepwise multiple regressions analyses were used to analyze the data. Findings The findings indicated that spirituality in the workplace has a positive and significant effect on organizational commitment. The relationship between each and every component of workplace spirituality and organizational commitment was found to be substantial, positive and significant. The study findings will enable Islamic insurance companies to understand the importance of spirituality in the workplace and will further improve their function and performance by way of enhancing employees’ spirituality in the workplace. This study suggests developing more spiritual training, workshops, lectures and seminars on spirituality at the workplace which will help employees of takaful operators and agencies cope effectively with life problems, reduce stress, boost loyalty and enhance organizational commitment. Originality/value This study raises awareness on the importance of spirituality in the workplace and investigates the influence of its components to enhance organizational commitment, which will ultimately contribute to improving and sustaining human well-being and organizational performance.

Issues and Challenges in Introducing Islamic Insurance (Takaful) into the Algerian Financial Market: Lessons from Malaysia

The global takaful market is estimated by market analysts to reach a premium of US

Corporate social responsibility disclosure: a Tawhidic approach

12.5 billion by 2015. Malaysia is considered one of the largest takaful markets in the world with total assets of US

THE IMPACT OF OIL PRICE SHOCKS ON ISLAMIC FINANCIAL MARKET IN MALAYSIA

3.2 billion. The Islamic insurance sector or takaful has seen remarkably global growth in many major markets, especially in Muslim dominated countries. However, the development of Islamic finance, particularly takaful in Algeria appears to have lagged behind. Although there are two Islamic banks operating in Algeria, Islamic insurance or takaful has yet to be introduced into the Algerian financial market. Due to this fact, this research explores issues and challenges that potentially face the introduction of takaful into the Algerian financial market. An empirical study is endeavoured consisting of semi-structured interviews with Algerian experts in the area of Islamic finance and takaful to deduce the issues and challenges that might face the introduction of takaful in Algeria. This study found that there would be economic and spiritual benefits if takaful is introduced in Algeria. In addition, the respondents agreed that the most important challenge that might face the introduction of takaful is political will whereby genuine support from the government is needed for the effective introduction of Islamic insurance or takaful in Algeria. This support should be subsequently followed by broad publicity of the newly introduced industry, an amendment of the laws, and the development of the necessary infrastructures to facilitate an effective collaboration with international organizations.