A review of the critical factors affecting Islamic market mechanisms in Malaysia

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the critical factors that influence Muslim consumers’ motivation towards the Islamic market mechanism. Design/methodology/approach – The paper also attempts to formulate Ibnomer Mohamed Sharfudddin’s “Islamic Administrative theory and Klaus Hurrelmann’s socialization theory” based on the “productive processing of reality (PPR)” model. The data were collected by distributing a self-administered questionnaire to a sample of 147 participants residing in the major cities in Peninsular Malaysia. The constructs and items used in the questionnaire were derived from the basic guidelines provided in the literature review and Al-Qur’an and Sunnah (Prophet’s deeds) on the conduct of Malaysian business practices. Findings – The results suggest that while awareness of the Islamic market mechanisms exists amongst businesses, in practice, not many obey such rules. However, a significant relationship does exist between the Muslim consumer motivational factors and Islamic market mechanisms. Research limitations/implications – First, limitation in scope as only two main components (productive service and commodity market) practices was examined. Future research may include other types of variables practices in the Islamic market mechanism. Second, the sample size is small and respondents were restricted to marketing and the academic sector. Future research should be done on bigger sample size and more on diverse sample, such as extended to the manufacturing sector and the service industry because manufacturing firms and the service sector might have different Islamic market mechanism practices and outcomes compared to marketing and the academic sector. Practical implications – Productive service and commodity market have positive impact on consumers’ motivation towards the Islamic market mechanism. Government’s controlling and monitoring in the market has positive effect on consumers’ motivation in selecting the Islamic market mechanism. Social implications – There is a need for more research on how to establish the Islamic market mechanism practice. In addition, the outcomes of this paper are of particular significance to policymakers, as it better informs them as to how best to design the Islamic market mechanism to make it more practical regardless of various religious beliefs. Originality/value – This research is a rare attempt on the part of scholars and researchers in Malaysia to relate the Islamic market mechanism practices and guidelines on a specific discipline. Based on the researchers’ knowledge, it is the first study investigating the application of the Islamic market mechanism practice in Malaysia.