Purpose: – This paper aims to address the influence of mass media (MM) and word of mouth (WOM) on subjective norm (SN) and the intentions to purchase a family takaful scheme among Muslim Malaysians. Design/methodology/approach: – Data were collected from 384 Muslim consumers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, using a convenience sampling approach. The hypotheses were tested by applying structural equation modelling. Findings: – The results revealed that MM and WM were able to influence SN. In addition, the results also found that SN significantly influences intentions to purchase a family takaful scheme. Practical implications: – By examining MM and WM on SN, the study validated the importance of both constructs in affecting consumers’ SN and purchase intention. This study would be useful for takaful operators, as the findings would help them to formulate strategies for promotional activities. Originality/value: – This paper empirically justifies the relationship between MM and WM on SN and purchase intention of family takaful schemes in an integrated model.

Purpose: – The purpose of this paper is to apply theory of planned behaviour (TPB) in predicting consumer intention to participate in takaful. One area of concern for takaful operators is the untapped Islamic insurance (takaful) market and lower market share compared to conventional insurance counterparts. It is possible that the application of the TPB could shed some light on the problem and possibly offer some assistance to the takaful operators. Design/methodology/approach: – Interrelationships among attitudes, subjective norm, perceived behavioural control and purchase intentions in regard to takaful products participation were examined within a framework of the theory of planned behaviour. A model and series of propositions are developed. The propositions are open to empirical verification and can form the basis for a research stream on takaful participation. Findings: – In identifying factors influencing takaful participation, TPB is used and the model incorporates certain individual factors that are likely to influence intentions towards takaful participation. The model proposes that individual factors such as awareness, knowledge and exposure have impacts on takaful participation. Originality/value: – This study provides insights for a previously unaddressed takaful participation among potential consumers. Prior work on determining participation of takaful has not applied TPB in an effort to understand the phenomenon.

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to examine the factors that influence an individual’s intention to participate in the family takaful scheme based on decomposed theory of planned behaviour (DTPB). The central hypotheses for this study are that individual’s intentions to participate in family takaful scheme are a result of attitudes towards participation in family takaful scheme, subjective norms, and perceived behavioural control (PBC). Awareness and knowledge, as well as exposure and religiosity, are integrated into the model. Design/methodology/approach: Using primary data collection method, 384 questionnaires were distributed to target respondents comprising of Muslims in Klang Valley, Malaysia. The data were analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences and SmartPLS. Findings: The DTPB model is effective in predicting individual’s intention to participate in family takaful scheme. Out of 15 hypotheses, 12 were found to be significant. Attitudes towards participation in family takaful scheme, PBC, knowledge, and exposure have significant influences on purchase intention. However, this study found the path from religiosity, awareness, and subjective norm to intention was insignificant. Practical implications: The results of this study highlight the applicability of DTPB into takaful research and suggest marketing strategies for family takaful operators. Originality/value: The value of this paper lies in its presentation of a model for factors that affect individual’s intention to participate in family takaful scheme.

Purpose: – This paper aims to examine the basic determinants of consumers intention to participate in family takaful scheme using decomposed theory of planned behaviour (DTPB) and identifying relevant factors may be moderate the relationship. Design/methodology/approach: – A comprehensive review of the DTPB literature is undertaken, with a particular focus on contribution to family takaful scheme. Findings: – The review finds that intention toward participating in family takaful scheme is are not only affected by attitude, subjective norm and perceived behavioural control but also influence by moderating factors like demographic variables, consumer knowledge, situational factors and consumer level of religiosity. Inhibiting factors related to insurance and takaful purchase is also highlighted. Originality/value: – Such an extensive review on identifying relevant factors to participate in takaful using DTPB has not been done before. The paper will be useful to researchers, professionals and others concerned with family takaful to understand the importance factors in participating in family takaful scheme.

Purpose: – The purpose of this article is to highlight the importance of waqf in financing higher education. Nowadays, higher education is costly and this has prevented students, especially those who are self-financed, from accessing such learning environments. This paper offer an alternative solution to relieve such a situation, namely, through the application of an endowment-based or waqf educational institution. The study suggests a way to establish an endowment university by concentrating the discussion on the concept and principles of its establishment, as well as sharing the experiences of the Malaysian waqf universities and the Turkish Foundation Universities/Vakif Üniversitesi in financing their universities using waqf, i.e. a pious endowment instrument. Design/methodology/approach: – The empirical data were mainly collected using in-depth interviews with the universities’ higher management authorities and some of the members of the board of trustees. Findings: – The findings show that the role of waqf or pious endowment is significant in providing financial assistance to their communities as well as strengthening their academic quality. In addition, tawhidic epistemology together with morality and ethics have influenced waqf donors or founders to donate their wealth and property to enrich and sustain universities and higher education. Originality/value: – This article provides the experiences of the Malaysian Waqf Universities and the Turkish Foundation Universities/Vakif Üniversitesi in financing their universities using waqf. It also contains some good examples from the experience of several earlier Islamic civilizations, in particular those of the Ottoman Empire and the Mamluk Sultanate of Egypt. In addition, examples of the implementation of waqf and endowment-based universities in the UK and USA as well as the Al-Azhar University of Egypt is also included.

Purpose: – This study aimed to analyse the role of the Waqf Fund Scheme, by taking Penang (or Pulau Pinang) as one of the states in Malaysia as a sample of the study. Waqf Fund Scheme was established by the Islamic Religious Council of Penang, Majlis Agama Islam Negeri Pulau Pinang (MAINPP), in an effort to develop the economy of the Muslim community in the state. Design/methodology/approach: – This study analysed the contribution that this endowment fund makes towards a comprehensive scheme of economic development, namely, in terms of the economic, spiritual and social welfare of the Muslim community in Penang. The primary source of data was obtained through interviews conducted by the researcher with the Manager of the Waqf Fund Scheme, the Head of Administration and Finance Section and the Account Executive of MAINPP. The researcher also interviewed respondents from four institutions that were beneficiaries of the Waqf Fund Scheme. Findings: – The findings of this research show that the endowment fund scheme plays an important role in the economic development of the Muslim community in Penang. The Waqf Fund Scheme contributes by way of providing a financing facility towards the acquisition of waqf assets or through cash support channelled to associations or committees of a masjid. Research limitations/implications: – This study only focuses on Waqf Fund Scheme which was established by MAINPP. Practical implications: – This study is expected to contribute to the improvement of the Waqf Fund Scheme management. Originality/value: – The paper is the first attempt to address the Waqf Fund Scheme contributions by MAINPP, particularly in Penang.