Mueen A. Zafar

Local agricultural financing and Islamic banks: is Qard-al-Hassan a possible solution?

Purpose – This paper aims to study Qard-al-Hasan (QH) (good loan) from the stand point of its possible application to agricultural farming with a view to augmenting the sources of Riba (interest)-free agricultural financing for Muslim farmers of Islamic countries like Pakistan. Design/methodology/approach – This paper is a study of QH (good loan) from the stand point of its possible application to agricultural farming with a view to augmenting the sources of Riba (interest)-free agricultural financing for Muslim farmers of Islamic countries like Pakistan. Findings – The study reports that Riba-free financing is essentially needed by poor Muslim farmers who, owing to prohibition of Riba, do not rely on interest (Riba)-based financing. The study also shows that QH is a viable option for fulfilling this need and is beneficial for the farmers as well as for the Islamic banks or financial institutions. Research limitations/implications – The case of QH as a potential mode of agricultural financing, as presente...

Impact of psychological contract fulfillment on organizational citizenship behavior: mediating role of perceived organizational support

Purpose This study aimed to investigate the impact of psychological contract fulfillment (independent) on organizational citizenship behavior (dependent) with mediating role of perceived organizational support. Design/methodology/approach Quantitative methodology was adopted to achieve the aim of this study and data were collected via questionnaire through employee-supervisor/colleague dyed. Various five and four star hotel staff members in Pakistan were the target population, eliciting a recorded sample of 418 employees and 105 supervisors/colleagues. Findings The study revealed that psychological contract fulfillment has a positive impact on perceived organizational support and organizational citizenship behavior. The partial mediating role of perceived organizational support between the dependent and independent variables was also confirmed. Research limitations/implications Among the implications, novel theoretical underpinning of organizational support theory was established in psychological contract...

Dental school student and faculty perspectives about changing to comprehensive patient-care clinic management

Abstract Purpose Some dental schools have modified the curriculum to better meet students’ educational needs while providing comprehensive patient care. Like other organizations, their inability to adapt to changes has been of concern to scholars. Frequently, organizations focus on technical aspects and minimize the human component. Qualitative studies are essential to describing how faculty and students respond to large-scale planned programmatic change so that findings can be used to guide implementation efforts. Method Fullans theory of action framed this study. Multi-case narrative inquiry was used to explore faculty and students’ experiences during the first year of their new clinical education model. Focus group meetings elicited perspectives about the programs effectiveness. Results There was congruence between programmatic goals and implementation: interdisciplinary teaching and communication, collegiality and collaboration, varied student learning, and faculty mentoring. However, the clinical management system and the lack of training hampered the progress of implementation and change. There were also disagreements about competency attainment. Conclusions Aspects of Fullans model were shown while components: that systems learn, capacity building prevails, and learning the work were not evident. The temporal nature of participants’ experiences shaped their stories. Providing comprehensive patient care while ensuring that students acquire skills for becoming competent general dental practitioners is indeed a delicate balance.

Factors That Advance and Restrict Programme Change and Professional Development in Dental Education.

The aim of this study was to explore the effectiveness of a professional development initiative using organisational change research studies to frame the inquiry. Two faculty groups and two student groups participated in a total of four focus group interviews to ascertain their perceptions of a new model of pre-clinical dental education. Using a grounded theory approach, the findings showed that there were individual, structural and resource-related issues that advanced and restricted the successful implementation of the initiative. The exchange of ideas and the development of critical thinking skills, the use of modelling in multidisciplinary clinics, and just in time consultation were benefits of the programme, while its reliance on attaining competencies to determine student skill development and continual issues with patient allocation and a sufficient pool of patients were drawbacks. The findings suggest that inviting those involved in the professional development initiative into an investigation of their instructional practices while trying out new ideas in action is key to the processes of institutionalising change and engendering professional development growth.

Mushārakah—A Realistic Approach to the Concept in Islamic Finance and its Application to the Agricultural Sector in Pakistan

AbstractFood is one of the basic necessities that is imperative for human survival. The majority of farmers related to agriculture belong to the lower class and are hence not in a position to fulfil their agricultural needs. Therefore, they must borrow from various sources, e.g., from individuals, organizations, and/or banks, using interest-based lending, which Muslims are prohibited from doing according to the Sharīʿah. Here the concept of mushārakah (participatory mode of finance) is the best option. The present work discusses the application of such transactions to overcome farmers’ financial problems. In this article, the concept of mushārakah is first elaborated in light of classical/contemporary Islamic law literature referring to its rules and regulations followed by a discussion on how mushārakah can be effectively applied to the agricultural sector. The concepts of muzāraʿah (temporary sharecropping contract), musāqah, diminishing mushārakah (al-mushārakah al-mutanāqisah), and customer agency are critically analyzed in such away to make these fit and viable for farmers and Islamic financial institutions.