International Journal of Economics, Management and Accounting

List of Reviewers for Volume 33 (2025)

2025-12-21T09:55:24+08:00

Designing a Green Management Model in Iranian Sports Organizations

2025-12-28T16:39:16+08:00

Today, organizations can properly play their role by focusing on economic responsibility and organizational wealth creation, in line with their social and environmental responsibilities. Adopting such an approach, known as the green approach, will enable the organization to achieve its economic goals. The term green human resource management (GHRM) was introduced in 1990 and has been accepted worldwide since 2000 as a concept that manages the environment within an organization by adopting green human resource policies and practices. The present study aimed at designing a GHRM model in Iranian sports organizations. This research is applied in terms of purpose and descriptive survey in terms of nature and method. The population of the study consists of experts and managers of the Ministry of Sports and Youth of Iran, 70 of whom were selected using purposive sampling. The data collection tool was a researcher-made questionnaire with validity confirmed using the content validity method. The research findings in the form of a model consist of two parts: First, through an exploratory study and expert opinion, 14 main factors of GHRM success were identified. Second, using an interpretive-structural modeling approach, relationships and sequences between variables were extracted at eight levels and finally categorized based on the degree of influence and dependence. Considering the results and also the importance and necessity of GHRM, it is suggested that organizations, especially sports organizations, pay special attention to GHRM and by using its policies and strategies, be able to achieve goals and align their activities well with environmental goals. The results showed that the support of the environment around the organization and the support of managers and shareholders act as the foundation stone of the model and have the greatest impact on other variables and cause intensification of other variables to manage organizational green human resources. This model can help managers efficiently and effectively use natural resources by applying green HRM methods and strategies.

Job Satisfaction During the COVID-19 Movement Control Order: A State-Wide Study of Utility Companies in Sarawak, Malaysia

2025-12-28T16:39:14+08:00

Malaysia ordered a series of lockdowns (known as Movement Control Order) on 18 March 2020 to break the chain of COVID-19 infection within the community. The lockdown imposed brought drastic changes in working practices and thus forced workers to work from home. This paper investigates the changes in job satisfaction before and during the MCO. Utility services were chosen because they are essential services outlined by the Malaysian National Security Council during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study was a state-wide study (in Sarawak, Malaysia), gathering 10,320 employee data over two years (2019-2020). Based on the one-sample t-test, the level of job satisfaction during the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly increased. Future research should investigate possible factors that could explain job satisfaction during the pandemic. Organizations and policymakers should take note of these findings and be vigilant of inconveniences of remote working to preserve a good level of job satisfaction.

In-Store Customer Experience (ISCX) Towards COVID-19 Preventive Measures of Malaysian Retailers: A Qualitative Study

2025-12-28T16:39:12+08:00

This study explores In-Store Customer Experience (ISCX) in relation to COVID-19 preventive measures among Malaysian retailers. Grounded in Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, it investigates how cognitive, affective, social, and physical experiences were influenced during the pandemic. A qualitative approach was employed, using thematic analysis on data collected through 10 in-depth interviews with Malaysian shoppers during the Movement Control Order (MCO) phases. Interviews were coded and analysed using Atlas.ti, referencing past literature to identify emerging themes. Findings indicate that affective experience especially involving negative emotions, was the most frequently cited ISCX dimension, highlighting the importance of addressing customers' psychological comfort during in-store visits. Among preventive measures, store airflow emerged as the most frequently mentioned, underscoring its significance in creating a safe shopping environment. These findings reflect the dual emphasis on physiological and safety needs within Maslow’s framework. The study suggests that retailers should not only implement effective health protocols but also consider customers’ emotional well-being to enhance the overall shopping experience. The paper recommends integrating additional theoretical models alongside Maslow’s hierarchy for a more robust framework. Future research could adopt a mixed-method approach to strengthen the understanding of customer experience and preventive strategies. The insights offer practical implications for retailers, policymakers, and stakeholders in managing in-store operations during public health crises.

Corporate Governance and Credit Rating in MENA Region

2025-12-28T16:39:10+08:00

This study attempts to detect the impact of governance mechanisms on the credit rating of MENA region companies. This research uses the Logit model. It is most widely used in failure early warning models. Using a sample of 23 firms in the MENA region rated by the rating agency "Fitch Ratings" during the period 2010-2020, this study found that increasing board size and ownership concentration have positive effects on firm credit rating, while increasing duality, institutional ownership, and managerial ownership have a negative effect. These results offer valuable insights for companies looking to enhance their governance systems and make informed investments in favorable conditions. The findings have significant implications for investors, since incorporating governance mechanisms into the rating process can assist companies in enhancing ratings. Indeed, rating agencies assess corporate governance by focusing on four key elements: ownership structure and influence, rights and relationships with financial stakeholders, financial transparency, and the structure and process of the board of directors. They strongly believe that rating agencies evaluate corporate governance based on four primary factors: ownership structure and influence, rights and relationships with financial stakeholders, transparency and financial structure, as well as the board's procedures. It is their belief that inadequate corporate governance can compromise a company's ability to meet its debt obligations and increase potential losses for its creditors. As capital markets are an important source of financing for emerging markets, the importance of credit rating agencies in providing standardized credit risk assessments for emerging market investments has continued to grow.

The Impact of Sustainability and Cyber Security Policies on Firm Performance: Evidence from ASEAN Listed Companies

2025-12-28T16:39:09+08:00

This paper explores firm performance evaluation, expanding beyond traditional return on assets to include Tobin's Q. Sustainability and cybersecurity policies are identified as crucial factors influencing corporate success. The study analyzes 206 publicly listed companies in Malaysia, Thailand, and Singapore within the ASEAN region, using data from Refinitiv Eikon and multiple regression techniques. The results reveal a significant impact of sustainability and cybersecurity policies on firm performance as measured by Tobin's Q. The findings support the theoretical frameworks of agency cost and stakeholder theories. Future research should consider broadening the study's scope to include additional datasets from other ASEAN-listed companies to enhance the understanding of the relationship between policies and firm performance.

Evolution of Shariah Governance Practices in Shariah Risk Management Function from The Institutional Theory Perspective

2025-12-28T16:39:05+08:00

This research aims at elucidating the evolution of Shariah governance practices in a Malaysian Islamic bank by examining the progression toward institutionalization through the lens of Institutional Theory. A qualitative research approach was employed, drawing on existing literature, case studies, and interviews with experts in Shariah risk management function. An explanatory case study was done to deeply understand the institutionalization of Shariah governance practices due to the evolution of framework and policy from Shariah Governance Framework (SGF) 2010 to the latest Shariah Governance Policy Document (SGPD) 2019. This research delves into the development of Shariah governance from SGF 2010 to SGPD 2019, with a particular focus on the institutionalization of the Shariah risk management function in an Islamic bank. Analyzing the outcomes through the framework outlined by Burns and Scapens in 2000 within the context of Institutional Theory, the research highlights how this evolution has fortified Shariah governance practices over time, indicating a shift toward greater alignment in an Islamic bank with Shariah governance. However, a notable limitation persists in ensuring the competency and expertise of Shariah officers, particularly in their adaptation to institutional and actionable realms in routinizing the rules. This research paper enriches understanding of institutionalization, emphasizing its pivotal role in fostering trust, providing support, and enabling optimal performance among Shariah officers. It highlights the importance of continuous learning and skill development for Shariah officers, asserting that competency and expertise can evolve progressively. Consequently, the Shariah governance practices in Islamic banks have exhibited increased robustness, effectively mitigated Shariah non-compliance risks, and demonstrated heightened adherence to Shariah governance and compliance.

Machine Learning in Islamic Economics and Finance: A Comparative Bibliometric Analysis with The Conventional Field

2025-12-28T16:39:03+08:00

The aim of the study is to perform a bibliometric mapping analysis of machine learning research on Islamic economics and finance in the Web of Science (WOS) database. In the study, a bibliometric analysis was performed on all studies written on the topic of “Machine Learning” with WOS data and in the fields of “Economics” and “Finance” as well as “Islamic Economics” and “Islamic Finance.” The tool VOSviewer (1.6.18) was used to classify the data within the research framework. As a result of the analysis, authoritative authors, journals, institutions, and the most frequently referenced sources in the field were identified. Besides that, information about the country that has done the most work in the field was also expressed as a result of the VOSViewer (1.6.18) program. When evaluating the literature, no study was identified that includes both economic and financial concerns on machine learning and presents a comparative bibliometric mapping analysis by studying Islamic economics and Islamic finance issues. It is believed that this study will contribute to literature in this regard.

In-Vitro Fertilization and The Islamic Law of Inheritance

2025-12-28T16:39:01+08:00

The advent of In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) and the great strides made by the medical profession in Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) raises serious concerns. These concerns include the legality of the procedure, the lineage of the children produced through IVF, and their inheritance, if at all they have inheritance rights. One uniqueness of the Shariah is that it provides solutions to every problem or situation. The Islamic law of inheritance is so comprehensive to the extent that it does not neglect any possible case that might arise till the last day, including the issue of how IVF children inherit. This article discusses the different scenarios that might arise concerning the inheritance of a fetus from IVF. Several assumptions need to be addressed depending on the circumstances based on whether the child was born dead or alive, the gender of a single child and more than one child with similar or different genders in multiparity cases, whether identical or fraternal from a single pregnancy. The article addresses each one of these and gives examples of how the distribution would be conducted. A brief literature review is also included on how other authors have addressed the issue and the research gap thus identified. The is non-empirical qualitative research reliant on secondary data for its analysis.

An Analysis of The Persistence of Wage Differentials in Malaysia

2025-12-28T16:39:00+08:00

Studies on the labor market wage gap have been published across nations with different variables of interest because inequality in labor compensation is a severe socioeconomic problem. Income inequality is studied through the wage gap Blinder-Oaxaca Decomposition method to investigate the contributing factors to the wage differential. As per previous studies, the factors were classified into endowments, coefficients, and interaction parts. Endowments capture the disparity in productivity or observable characteristics that may define the wage gap, the coefficient part is the wage structure built from discrimination or unobservable characteristics, and interaction is the component of how the other two interact with each other. Our study uses data from the Household Income Survey (HIS) conducted by the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) in 2022, 2019, and 2016. The total sample size is 35,884 observations (of which 12,735 are for the year 2022; 11,698 for 2019; and 11,451 for 2016). Findings show that the wage difference between Bumiputera and non-Bumiputera was reduced from 2016 to 2019. It increased again in 2022, however, higher than in 2016. The three-year mean for endowment effects is 39.55% of the wage difference and 60.45% for coefficient and interaction parts combined. Therefore, it is statistically evident that Bumiputera labor is compensated lower than non-Bumiputera. This study gives recent insights on the ethnic wage differentials with more updated datasets and identifies the determinants of wage differential which would help policymakers to tackle the root causes.

Ibrah Acquisition: A New Concept of Absorptive Capability Based on Islamic Value

2025-12-28T16:39:07+08:00

This study aims at introducing a new concept; the integration of absorptive capacity theory and ibrah value—this value derived from Islamic values, namely ibrah acquisition (IA). Absorptive emphasizes the company's ability to recognize the importance of new information, assimilate it, and apply it for commercial purposes. Meanwhile, ibrah is an effort to take lessons from the experiences of other parties or events that occurred in the past through deep thinking. Thus, ibrah acquisition is defined as the company's ability to absorb external knowledge from various events, history, and experiences based on values and measures that are more rationally applied in the company to realize optimal company performance. The concept of ibrah acquisition includes seven newly developed dimensions presented in this article's contribution, framed in the main competency categories. They are prior investments, prior knowledge, motivation for collecting knowledge, and direction of knowledge with dimensions for scale development, namely aqidah, morals, and belief.

Islamic Finance and Circular Economy: Connecting Impact and Value

2024-12-24T10:06:57+08:00