This paper aims to investigate the issues and challenges faced by Islamic banks in implementing Microfinance (MF) in selected Islamic banks in Malaysia. An empirical study is endeavoured consisting of semi structured interviews with senior managers and officers from four Islamic banks in order to address the main research questions. Out of the four selected Islamic Banks, only two are currently providing MF. The MF programs in these two banks are mostly restricted to pensioners, army wives, registered companies and companies operating for a minimum of two to three years. The main challenges facing Islamic Banks when dealing with MF can be highlighted in the following points: the default risk, the lack of funds and the unwillingness of shareholders to take MF risk, the high operating cost, the complexity of MF processing, and regulatory restrictions. Other hindrances include the lack of well trained staff capable of efficiently managing MF. This research concludes with a call for Islamic Banks to seriously participate in economic and social development through greater involvement in MF.

This study aims to investigate the relevance of the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) in predicting the intentional behaviour of refugee entrepreneurs. This paper uses key components of the theory on attitude, subjective norms and perceived control to explore the willingness of refugees to participate in microenterprise support programmes (MESP) in refugee camps. This study used a positivist research approach, comprising a quantitative basis of enquiry and gathered data via survey questionnaires. In total, 400 usable questionnaires were completed and used for analysis. This study uses descriptive and inferential analysis with SPSS and confirmatory factor analysis with AMOS to test three key TPB hypotheses. The structured model revealed acceptable high goodness-of-fit indices. Also, the findings indicated that out of three hypotheses, two hypotheses (attitude and perceived control) were substantial, positive and significant. However, the relationship between subjective norms of refugees and their intention to participate in MESP was insignificant. The findings of this study indicate the low-profile refugees give to the views and opinions of the surrounding communities when it comes to determining their intentional behaviour. As such, some poignant implications may relate to microfinance and microcredit programmes targeting refugees. The present study illustrates the interrelationships between the proposed variables. Also, by understanding the relationships between the selected variables, the findings would be useful for the concerned authorities to ameliorate and upgrade the well-being of refugees along with empowering their environment, which would facilitate their engagement in business and entrepreneurship.

The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between service quality, student satisfaction, university reputation, and student loyalty in the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM). This study aims to improve our understanding of student loyalty and to highlight the effect of student satisfaction, service quality, and brand image in building student loyalty towards IIUM. Data were randomly collected from 160 students studying in IIUM during the 2012/2013 academic session. Data analysis encompasses descriptive analysis, reliability analysis, exploratory factor analysis (EFA), correlation, and regression analysis. The data resulted in acceptably high reliability. The result indicates that all independent variables have significant impact on student loyalty. All three hypotheses were supported. This study is set to assist institutions of higher education to identify improvements in the service delivery process by identifying different aspects of service quality, brand image, and student satisfaction in IIUM.