bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pedophilia and hand preference: A meta-analysis
Authors: Stein Clara C. , Packheiser Julian , Papadatou-Pastou Marietta
Published: February 2025

Pedophilic disorder has been linked to neurodevelopmental differences in diagnosed individuals. One common biomarker for atypical neurodevelopment are elevated levels of atypical handedness as individuals with several neurodevelopmental disorders show increased levels of left-, mixed-, or non-right-hand preference. A few primary studies have indicated that atypical handedness could also be more prevalent in pedophilia and child sexual offenders. However, individual studies are prone to sampling biases. A comprehensive synthesis of the literature on this topic is still missing. In this pre-registered study, we performed a meta-analysis on k = 14 studies that were searched in PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar (until January 2025). These 14 studies measured hand preference in n = 1245 individuals with pedophilia and child sexual offenders and n = 5703 controls. We found evidence against higher rates of atypical handedness irrespective of handedness classification using random-effects frequentist and robust Bayesian meta-analyses. There was no evidence of heterogeneity nor small-study or publication bias across analyses. These results suggest that atypical handedness is not suited to serve as a biomarker for pedophilia.
The effect of cognitive load on Detection-Response Task (DRT) performance during day- and night-time driving: A driving simulator study with young and older drivers
Authors: Ozturk Ibrahim , Merat Natasha , Rowe Richard , Fotios Steve
Published: February 2025

Over the past 25 years, distracted driving and driver inattention have been one of the main risk factors for road traffic safety. Previous research has shown that increased cognitive load from non-visual activities take our mind off the driving task, by engaging our working memory resources. Studies have shown that engagement in these tasks results in a more concentrated gaze towards the road centre, reducing lateral deviation (e.g., reduced standard deviation of lane position (SDLP) and less high frequency steering reversals). The Detection-Response Task (DRT) is an International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standard used to study the impact of cognitive load, due to secondary task, on performance. This driving simulator study examined the effect of varying levels of cognitive load (using the n-back task) on driving and DRT performance. The effect of age and lighting conditions was examined by comparing the performance of a younger group of drivers (Age Mdn = 22) with that of an older cohort (Age Mdn = 66) during day- and night-time driving conditions. Results showed that young drivers’ DRT performance was better at night-time compared to day-time, when compared to that of older drivers. Young drivers also performed better at the n-back task. Overall, an increase in cognitive load increased response time to the DRT task. In line with previous studies, an increase in cognitive load also reduced SDLP, but only in the absence of the DRT. These results provide new knowledge on drivers’ detection of peripheral stimuli during different lighting conditions, and how these are affected by a cognitively loading, non-visual, working memory task. The implications of these findings on real-world road safety are discussed.
Quality Assessment in Meta-Analysis (QuAMA)
Authors: Scherer Ronny , Emslander Valentin
Published: February 2025

Evaluating the quality of primary studies is a key step in meta-analyses in psychology. This step is aimed at reducing the risk of bias and establishing the validity of the inferences drawn from the meta-analytic findings. However, the extant body of research offers little guidance on how to represent and incorporate primary study quality (PSQ) in meta-analyses, and some common procedures, such as creating sum scores from a set of quality indicators, often lack the backing from measurement models. Addressing these issues, we present a tutorial that guides researchers in their analytic decisions and approaches to represent and incorporate PSQ in their meta-analyses. Specifically, we describe, review, and illustrate approaches to (a) represent PSQ by single or multiple quality indicators or aggregated scores; (b) examine the moderator effects of PSQ; and (c) test the sensitivity of moderator effects to PSQ. We illustrate these approaches and present a step-by-step tutorial with analytic code for researchers’ guidance. We also encourage meta-analysts to take a measurement perspective on representing PSQ if multiple quality indicators are aggregated into a quality score. Moreover, we argue for conducting moderator sensitivity analyses to obtain more evidence on the impact of PSQ in a meta-analysis.
Smell and Tell: The emergence of olfactory expertise in perfumery students
Authors: Saive Anne-Lise , Plailly Jane , Chambaron Stéphanie , Hourri Youness , Monin Carla , Nhouchi Zeineb , Belay Justine , Chalut Pauline , Hanaei Farnaz , Vallet Nadine
Published: February 2025

Developing olfactory expertise is essential in professions like perfumery, where the ability to describe, categorize, and conceptualize odors is critical. This study investigates how academic training during a 1.5-year program at a perfumery school (ISIPCA) shapes olfactory expertise of perfumery students. Forty students were assessed at three time points, focusing on odor description, evocation, recognition, discrimination, and categorization tasks. Results show that training significantly enhanced language abilities related to odor description and categorization. Students developed a richer and more precise vocabulary to characterize odors, aligning more closely with expert’s terminology and contributing to the formation of a shared olfactory lexicon. Semantic similarity within and between students, as well as with expert references, increased, emphasizing the importance of consistent language use in expertise development. Advanced natural language processing and machine learning tools revealed that the richness of verbal descriptions and semantic similarity were strong predictors of expertise acquisition. In contrast, improvements in non-verbal tasks, such as odor discrimination and recognition, were more limited, suggesting that perceptual abilities may require more extensive training or specialized methods. Building on these results, we propose potential enhancements to olfactory training including reinforced language practice, mental imagery exercises, and sensory discrimination tasks, along with personalized training strategies. These findings highlight the central role of language in the emergence of olfactory expertise and the importance of computational methods for optimizing training programs and advancing educational practices in olfactory science
Applying Machine Learning to Ecological Momentary Assessment Data to Identify Predictors of Loss-of-control Eating and Overeating Severity in Adolescents: A Preliminary Investigation
Authors: Hagan Kelsey E. , Leenaerts Nicolas , Walsh B. Timothy , Ranzenhofer Lisa
Published: February 2025

Objective: Several factors (e.g., interpersonal stress, affect) predict loss-of-control (LOC) eating and overeating in adolescents, but most past research has tested predictors separately. We applied machine learning to simultaneously evaluate multiple possible predictors of LOC-eating and overeating severity in pooled and person-specific models. Method: Twenty-eight adolescents (78.57% female, age = 15.87 1.59 years, BMI %ile = 92.71 8.86) who endorsed two past-month LOC-eating episodes completed a week-long ecological momentary assessment protocol. Pooled models were fit to the aggregated data with elastic-net regularized regression and evaluated using nested cross-validation. Person-specific models were fit and evaluated as proof-of-concept. Results: Across adolescents, the median out-of-sample R2 of the pooled LOC-eating severity model was 0.33. The top predictors were between-subjects food craving, sadness, interpersonal conflict, shame, distress, stress (inverse association), and anger (inverse association), and within- and between-subjects wishing relationships were better. The median out-of-sample R2 for pooled overeating severity model was 0.20. The top predictors were between-person food craving, loneliness, mixed race, and feeling rejected (inverse association), and within-subjects guilt, nervousness, wishing for more friends (inverse association), and feeling scared, annoyed, and rejected (all inverse associations). Person-specific models demonstrated poor fit (median LOC-eating severity R2 = .003, median overeating R2 = -.009); 61% and 36% of adolescents’ models performed better than chance for LOC-eating and overeating severity, respectively. Discussion: Altogether, group-level models may hold utility in predicting LOC-eating and overeating severity, but model performance for person-specific models is variable, and additional research with larger samples over an extended assessment period is needed. Ultimately, a mix of these approaches may improve the identification of momentary predictors of LOC eating and overeating, providing novel and personalized opportunities for intervention.
Simulating Early Phonetic and Word Learning Without Linguistic Categories
Authors: Lavechin Marvin , de Seyssel Maureen , Titeux Hadrien , Wisniewski Guillaume , Bredin Hervé , Cristia Alejandrina , Dupoux Emmanuel
Published: February 2025

Before they even talk, infants become sensitive to the speech sounds of their native language and recognize the auditory form of an increasing number of words. Traditionally, these early perceptual changes are attributed to an emerging knowledge of linguistic categories such as phonemes or words. However, there is growing skepticism surrounding this interpretation due to limited evidence of category knowledge in infants. Previous modeling work has shown that a distributional learning algorithm could reproduce perceptual changes in infants’ early phonetic learning without acquiring phonetic categories. Taking this inquiry further, we propose that linguistic categories may not be needed for early word learning. We introduce STELA, a predictive coding algorithm designed to extract statistical patterns from continuous raw speech data. Our findings demonstrate that STELA can reproduce some developmental patterns of phonetic and word form learning without relying on linguistic categories such as phonemes or words nor requiring explicit word segmentation. Through an analysis of the learned representations, we show evidence that linguistic categories may emerge as an end product of learning rather than being prerequisites during early language acquisition.
Narrative Self-Transcendence: Decreased Regret and Increased Acceptance Over Late Midlife
Authors: Reischer Hollen N. , Couch Nathan , Wright Mya N. , Duarte Andrew J. , McAdams Dan P.
Published: February 2025

Introduction: Self-transcendence—connectedness within and beyond the self—is a complex phenomenon theorized to increase with age, but evidence is mixed. This longitudinal study is the first to investigate changes in self-transcendence across late midlife using life story narratives. Method: We tracked self-reported and narrative identity self-transcendence scores of 163 participants as they aged from M=56.4 (SD=0.95) to M=64.5 (SD=0.94). Participants were 64.4% women, 35.6% men; 55.2% White, 42.9% Black, 1.8% interracial/other; median income was $75,000–$100,000; median education was college graduate. Results: Self-transcendence narrative themes of closure and self-actualization increased significantly over time, especially between ages 60–65, but self-reported self-transcendence did not change. These trends were not uniform; race by gender groups exhibited distinct trajectories over time.Discussion: Late midlife is seen as ushering in opportunities for increased self-transcendence, especially acceptance of oneself and one’s life. We found some of the strongest empirical evidence of this phenomenon to date. On average, U.S. Black and White adults narrated their life stories with less regret and more satisfaction with self across late midlife. Findings demonstrate the utility of leveraging first-person narrative identity methods to collect and analyze data about rich, complex personality constructs and highlight positive changes associated with late midlife.
Promoting Sustainable Financial Services through Cashless Transactions: An Empirical Analysis of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Nepal
Authors: Chaudhary Manoj Kumar , Adhikari Madhav , Ghimire Dinesh Mani , Dhungana Madan
Published: February 2025

Digital financial technologies are reshaping the economic landscape, enhancing financial inclusion and sustainable development. This study examines the adoption of cashless transactions among Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Nepal, focusing on factors like privacy, security, and resource availability through the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). A structured survey was utilized to gather information from 389 SME owners in the Kathmandu Valley as part of a cross-sectional study design. Path analysis and other quantitative techniques were used to investigate the connections between the adoption of cashless transactions and the main adoption drivers, which include perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, social influence, privacy concerns, and resource availability. Results show a strong link between these factors and adopting electronic payment systems, with privacy and security being the most significant. While perceived ease of use and usefulness drive adoption, challenges like limited digital literacy and infrastructural constraints exist, especially in rural areas. This study highlights how cashless transactions can help SMEs become more resilient and operationally efficient, which aligns with global trends. It offers practical advice on how financial service providers and legislators can remove obstacles, encourage digital inclusion, and build a strong digital ecosystem.
Does Public Expenditure on Education Cause Economic growth in Nepal?
Authors: Dhakal Narayan Prasad , Khanal Santosh
Published: February 2025

The only way to boost economic growth, every country in the world agreed, was to improve education. The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential relationship between economic growth and public education spending. This was achieved by using time series data from 1988 to 2022 in conjunction with the ARDL model. The study investigated the impact of a variety of factors on GDP growth in order to ascertain the significance of this correlation. The number of secondary schools, the duration of a student's school year, the proportion of students who passed the SEE, government spending on education, and gross fixed capital formation are a few variables that can be altered. Additionally, this investigation investigated several other critical variables that impact economic expansion. The findings support past research and demonstrate a connection between public education spending and economic growth. Study findings indicate that increased funding for education is boosting the national economy. Analysis also highlights the role that gross fixed capital formation plays in the process of economic expansion. The exceptionally strong negative sign of the error correction term suggests a strong long-term correlation between the variables. The heteroscedasticity, normality, and Breusch-Godfrey LM tests generate P-values exceeding 5%, as expected. This model is devoid of heteroscedasticity and autocorrelation. The government should allocate a substantial portion of its budget to the education sector and prioritize funding. The study suggests that additional indicators should be investigated in order to support the idea that education is the foundation of any economy.
Behavioral Biases in Investment Decisions: Investigating the Role of Financial Literacy as a Moderator in Nepal
Authors: Rana Bikash , Sharma Haridatta
Published: February 2025

This study provides critical insights into investor behavior and its association with various behavioral biases in the context of investment decisions in Nepal's financial markets. Data was collected from 260 individual investors using a structured questionnaire, and hierarchical regression analysis was applied to test the hypotheses. The research identifies significant biases, including anchoring bias, overconfidence, and herding, that influence investment decisions. Additionally, the role of financial literacy as a moderating factor was examined, revealing its significant impact on reducing the effects of these biases. The findings highlight the unique investment patterns in Nepal’s emerging market, contrasting with established norms in developed financial markets. These results are valuable for policymakers, regulators, and stock market authorities in addressing investor behavior, enhancing financial education, and promoting informed decisions
Factors Affecting Microfinance Performance in Nepal
Authors: Rana Bishal
Published: February 2025

This study aims to identify the primary determinants of the operational performance of Microfinance Institutions (MFIs) in Nepal, with the objective of determining the key factors that influence their sustainability and effectiveness. The study employs descriptive, correlational, and causal-comparative research methodologies to establish significant relationships between MFI performance and critical variables, such as information technology adoption, loan-lending systems, and regulatory frameworks. The most significant determinant among these is regulatory compliance, which underscores its critical role in enhancing the overall performance and resilience of MFIs in Nepal. The study examines the efficiency of MFIs in the context of the major determinants, as well as factors such as employee motivation, management systems, and risk management practices. It concludes that these factors have a negligible impact. The findings emphasize the transformative role of digitalization, robust regulatory structures, and efficient loan disbursement mechanisms in improving the operational and financial sustainability of MFIs. These insights provide actionable guidance for stakeholders, including policymakers, regulators, investors, and financial institutions, to foster sustainable growth and service delivery in the microfinance sector. The research aligns with recent data from Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB, 2023), underscoring the increasing importance of technological integration and structured lending frameworks in driving MFI success. This study contributes to the broader discourse on financial inclusion and poverty alleviation through targeted microfinance interventions in Nepal
Impact of Monetary Policy on Profitability: An Analysis of Nepal's Listed Commercial Banks
Authors: Aryal Sulochana , Rana Bikash , Acharya Bikash , Sharma Prabin
Published: February 2025

The banking industry plays a crucial role in facilitating resource distribution and sustainable development, making it a vital component of Nepal's economic structure. Through tools like the Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR), bank rate, and open market operations, the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB), which oversees monetary policy, has a significant impact on the liquidity and profitability of commercial banks. Using panel data from 2015 to 2023, this study examines how the Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) affects the profitability of 20 Nepali commercial banks that are registered. The three key metrics of return on equity (ROE), return on investment (ROI), and return on assets (ROA) are used to evaluate profitability. To investigate the relationship between CRR and these metrics, a simple linear regression model is used. At the 10% significance level, the results show a statistically significant negative impact of CRR on ROA, while the relationships with ROE and ROI are considered statistically insignificant. These results imply that banks' ability to lend is restricted by higher CRR levels, which also limit their revenue-generating potential. On the other hand, by making more money available for lending and investments, lowering the CRR can improve profitability. In order to maximize financial performance, the study highlights how crucial it is for Nepalese commercial banks to include CRR dynamics in their strategic planning. To further understand the relationship between monetary policy and bank profitability, future studies should take into account a wider range of macroeconomic and microeconomic factors.
The Nexus of Financial Stability and Bank Specific Risks: Evidence from the Nepalese Banking Sector
Authors: Dhakal Bhimlal
Published: February 2025

This study examines the correlation between the financial stability of Nepali commercial banks and bank-specific risks by utilizing panel data from 20 commercial banks over a 12-year period from 2011 to 2023. The findings, which were obtained through the use of a fixed-effect model, demonstrate that bank-specific risks – notably liquidity risk and credit risk – present a significant threat to the stability of banks. Conversely, there is no discernible impact of funding risk on financial stability. Furthermore, larger banks have a detrimental effect on stability, while return on assets (ROA) has a beneficial effect on financial resilience. In order to preserve long-term stability, bank management must establish prudent policies that guarantee the safe disbursement of loans and the prompt repayment of the same, thereby mitigating credit risk. Additionally, it is imperative to maintain a proactive approach to liquidity management and effectively mobilize client deposits in order to achieve robust financial stability.
Challenges and Opportunities for Industry-School Partnerships in Implementing Apprenticeships: A Case Study of Lumbini Province, Nepal
Authors: Mainali Nirmala
Published: February 2025

Apprenticeship programs serve as an effective approach to integrating technical education and industry needs, offering tangible benefits for students, employers, and educational institutions. This study explores the challenges and opportunities for industry-school partnerships in establishing and implementing apprenticeship programs in Nepal, focusing on Lumbini Province. The study employs a qualitative, exploratory case study approach, with interviews and focus group discussions involving 30 stakeholders. It assesses challenges, such as limited industry participation, inadequate legislative frameworks, reliance on foreign labor, and weak collaboration between government and industry. Key findings underscore the necessity of raising industry awareness, fostering government-industry partnerships, and establishing clear policies to institutionalize apprenticeship systems. The article identifies opportunities for strengthening partnerships through improved communication, collaboration in curriculum development, and a focus on addressing industry needs along with some existing challenges.
Impact of Technical and Vocational Education and Training on ABCD Approach in Nepal
Authors: Giri Raj Bahadur
Published: February 2025

Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) aims to equip individuals with skills that are in demand and likely to remain relevant in the long term, promoting economic sustainability. Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) seeks to build on local assets and capacities, creating solutions that are sustainable because they are rooted in the community itself.  TEVT and ABCD both support holistic development connecting effective framework, paying particular attention to social cohesion, economic resilience, and community empowerment. The findings underscore the pivotal role of TVET courses in equipping individuals with employable skills and talents, enabling them to actively drive transformative changes within their communities. By fostering entrepreneurship, expanding livelihood opportunities, and strengthening social networks, TVET programs significantly contribute to inclusive development outcomes, spur economic growth, and facilitate poverty reduction. However, the integration of TVET into the ABCD framework faces substantial challenges, including limited funding, socioeconomic disparities, and legal restrictions, which hinder its effective implementation. Despite these obstacles, there remains significant potential for innovation, collaboration, and legislative enhancement to address these issues and optimize the benefits of TVET for community development. In essence, this article examines into the intricate ways in which Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) is woven into Nepal's Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) paradigm. This includes integration of TVET within the ABCD paradigm holding the considerable promise for fostering community.
Technical Education in Community Schools (TECS) Instructors’ Experience in their Retention: A Narrative Study
Authors: KC Dev Krishna , Ghaju Bikash
Published: February 2025

This empirical paper aims to explore the Technical Education in Community Schools (TECS) instructors’ experiences in their retention. Three TECS instructors from the Kathmandu valley were purposively interviewed to extract their in-depth information. A narrative inquiry method was used to explore the research participants’ lived experiences about their teaching profession along with the various aspects of their retention. Herzberg's motivation-hygiene factor theory was adopted to overview the instructors’ retention at TECS. The study revealed that retention of the instructors is a matter of personal and professional concern. Due to low pay and no provision for job security, those instructors who were only involved in teaching were not satisfied. On the other hand, instructors were happy with their teaching professions as they were applying theoretical knowledge to their practical fields. A flexible working environment, a bureaucratic hurdles-free system, an updated curriculum with appropriate tools and equipment, and professional development opportunities are to be considered for the instructors’ retention at TECS. In a nutshell, TECS instructors’ retention is contextual and depends on working conditions, financial benefits, job security, and professional development opportunities.
Prospects and Challenges of Executing the Work-Based Learning Approach in Nepal
Authors: Bhattarai Anoj
Published: February 2025

This study was carried out to scrutinize the prospects and challenges of instigating the work-based learning (WBL) approach in TVET in Nepal. A qualitative methodology was adopted for the study. Face-to-face and virtual in-depth interviews were conducted with purposively identified TVET experts, teachers and employers from Nepal. Altogether, there were 15 participants. Primarily, the study addressed two research questions: (i) What are the prospects and challenges for instigating a work-based learning approach in TVET in Nepal, and (ii) How the challenges are tackled? The findings revealed that stakeholders' readiness and the industry's volume to meet learners' needs are key challenges in instigating work-based learning approaches in Nepal. The findings also revealed that the prevailing legal frameworks and practices do not have significant provisions. This urges for a conducive legal framework that makes employers mandatory for providing work-based learning opportunities to TVET students in their industries. The industry volume needs to be increased and strengthened by creating a conducive environment for private sector and foreign investment. Additionally, awareness needs to be made among the stakeholders, especially the guardians and the students, so that the guardians understand the importance of WBL and encourage their children to join and the students to be ready for learning in work-based settings.
Oddolna aktywność społeczności lokalnych w świetle dokumentów strategicznych i regulacji prawnych obowiązujących w Polsce
Authors: Grzyś Patrycja
Published: February 2025

The article explores the significance of bottom-up community involvement in the development of civil society in Poland, with a particular focus on its representation in national legal frameworks and strategic documents. Based on a review of these sources, it highlights how local governments utilise adaptable legal structures to support grassroots initiatives, especially in urban contexts, while identifying the challenges and barriers that limit the growth of informal civic activities. The findings underline the growing importance of grassroots efforts in strengthening democratic governance and fostering sustainable urban development, while emphasising the need for public policies that better accommodate the evolving nature of civic engagement.
Komercjalizacja organizacji pozarządowych w Polsce. Rekomendacje dla decydentów publicznych
Authors: Pacut Agnieszka
Published: February 2025

The commercialisation of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) is a significant topic in research on the financing and functioning of the non-profit sector, with both academics and public policy makers in Poland discussing it through the lens of publicly funded programmes and projects that support NGOs. The aim of the article is to describe and assess the scale of commercialisation of the non-profit sector in Poland and the challenges associated with this process. The article discusses the definition and essence of commercialisation and economisation, paying particular attention to the terminological and definitional challenges associated with these concepts. The author then presents the context of the Polish debate on the subject; selected aspects of the phenomenon are illustrated using secondary data from Statistics Poland. The final part consists of recommendations for public policy makers and suggestions for future research that can deepen knowledge on the commercialisation of the non-governmental sector.
Reflections on the procedural and practical ethics in researching professional social work writing
Authors: Lillis Theresa , Twiner Alison , Balkow Michael , Lucas Gillian , Smith Miriam , Leedham Maria
Published: February 2025

This paper explores the procedural ethics and ethics in practice involved in a multi-agency research project exploring professional social work writing. Drawing on institutional documentation and a researcher's field notes over two years, the requirements and processes involved in complying with academia-facing and agency-facing regulatory frameworks are summarised and challenges highlighted. The main part of the paper centres on ethics in practice, building on Sarangi's framework for articulating the communicative dimensions to research ethics, and foregrounding the importance of ongoing dialogue between researchers and participant-stakeholders. Reflective accounts from three participant-stakeholders illustrate the interrelationship between what are often presumed to be distinct moments of a research chronology – access, representation and dissemination – in the process of knowledge making. The paper concludes by highlighting the differences between academia- and agency-facing procedural ethics, and arguing for greater institutional recognition of ethics in practice, in particular the importance of ongoing dialogue between researchers and participant-stakeholders at all stages of the research process.
Ethics of access in contemporary applied linguistics projects
Authors: Halvorsen Kristin , Hammerstad Gøril Thomassen
Published: February 2025

Increasingly, contemporary research practice is taking place in complex, multi-agency projects with funding from various public agencies and high demands for social relevance. The researcher–practitioner relationship, especially between researchers and stakeholders, plays a vital role in these kinds of projects, representing new challenges for many researchers. Within this field, issues relating to research ethics gain importance beyond established guidelines and institutional regulations. The aim of this paper is to contribute to a methodological debate on research ethics, highlighting the complex communicative practices that constitute the micro-ethics of the early stages of research, in which access to research sites and empirical data is at stake. We discuss three such activities in a project studying professional practice in welfare: (1) joint problematization of key issues; (2) negotiation of the research topic with multiple stakeholders; and (3) collaborative response to emerging ethical dilemmas. By opening up the often-neglected micro-ethical practices of research, we discuss how reflexivity and critical engagement might support the researcher's ethical practices in complex project surroundings. By fostering increased awareness of ethically important moments in the early stages of the research process, researchers might be better prepared to negotiate the many communicative events that form an integral part of the practices of research ethics.
Available Financing Resources For Islamic Microfinance Institutions To Alleviate Poverty- Cash Waqf Approach
Authors: Arwa Abubaker Alamoudi  , Anwar Hasan Abdullah Othman
Published: February 2025

Islamic Microfinance (IM) is considered an important element of economic prosperity and an instrument in reducing poverty rates in the Islamic world. However, the IM industry faces many problems in its efforts to serve the community. One of these problems is the lack of financing resources. This research studies the current Islamic financing channels that are used to finance IM institutions and determine the appropriate mechanisms or models practiced by IM institutions to finance the micro-enterprises and therefore reduce the poverty rate in Muslim communities. This research applied a qualitative approach by reviewing the current literature in the IM industry. This research focused on Cash Waqf as an alternative channel to finance IM institutions as this model has been successfully implemented and experienced by many Islamic countries, to deal with various social problems and poverty alleviation. The desired development can be achieved by investing Cash Waqf funds in micro-enterprises that may help to maximize investment and low-income people’s returns also enhance economic development to a direct impact poverty alleviation. It has been found that the Cash Waqf model is considered an appropriate source of funding to finance IM instigations that will utilize the Cash Waqf fund to finance micro-enterprises through several models like Mudarabah, Murabaha, Musharakah Mutanaqisah and Qard Hassan. These models were discussed after merging them with the concept of Cash Waqf through the previous literature, weighing the advantages and disadvantages of each one, and proposing some solutions that could contribute to solving the problems faced by the micro-enterprises.
Blue Sukuk as a Solution to Indonesia Maritime Economic Crisis due to the Global Covid Pandemic
Authors: Asep Maulana  , Firdayanti Zahro  , Mar’atus Sholikah
Published: February 2025

The aim of this paper is to analyze and provide a solution related to the maritime economic crisis in Indonesia which occurred due to the COVID-19 pandemic, affecting almost all countries in the world. The research technique used in this research is descriptive qualitative using secondary data. As the largest archipelagic country in the world, the ocean plays an important role in Indonesia. The marine and fisheries sector contributes to food security, livelihoods, and foreign exchange earnings. Currently, more than 6 million people are involved in Indonesia's maritime and fisheries sector, including small businessmen and fishermen. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, it has disrupted Indonesia's economic sector, one of which is in the fisheries sector. According to the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused a decline in the price of fishery products in several national fishing ports by up to 50 percent. This price decline occurred due to distribution disruptions caused by the emergency to contain the spread of COVID-19. This policy resulted in the accumulation of fish stocks in almost all cold storage. Thus, a stimulus is needed so that this crisis will not harm fishermen and other related industry players further. Blue sukuk can be a solution to this problem. With the issuance of the blue sukuk, it can become a reserve fund in the maritime sector and can be a long-term solution for the government in increasing Indonesia's maritime potential.
A Deep Learning Robo-Advisor Framework for Shariah-Compliant Investment into Chinese A-Shares
Authors: Shanxuan Yu  , Sara AlSaud
Published: February 2025

The economic growth of China has led to a growth of investment opportunities in China that has strengthened its collaboration with many Muslim countries. The One-Belt-One-Road initiative has led to growth in bilateral investment with many Muslim countries, requiring the investing Chinese companies to adopt more and more Islamic finance principles. Until recently, Muslim investors had relatively little information and options to invest into the Chinese markets, making the investment potentially impermissible according to Shariah Law. With the growing access provided by Islamic banks to Muslim investors, exchange traded funds incorporating Shariah compliant Chinese A-Share stocks have been set up. For individual investors, determining efficiently which stocks are Shariah compliant remains a considerable challenge and requires extensive manual analysis. Overcoming this challenge, the paper represents a deep learning Robo-advisor prescriptive framework for Shariah compliant investment advice in the Chinese stock market. The performance of the framework was evaluated on recent stock and company financial information, outlining the strong estimation and advisory functionality of the framework. The framework represents an important step towards making high quality Shariah-compliant investment advisory available to a wider audience.
A Distributionally AI Robust Islamic Portfolio Approach- A Case Study of The Impact of Sanctions on The Incorporation of Chinese Stocks into Islamic ETF
Authors: Katterbauer Klemens , Hassan Syed  , Laurent Cleenewerck  , Genc Sema Yilmaz
Published: February 2025

Sanctions have long been utilized as a form of forcing the sanctioned countries and entities to change their course and conform to the objectives of the sanction imposing country or entity. Sanctions have been primarily used for trade embargoes and restrictions on the types of goods and services that can be exported from a specific country. Financial sanctions have been instituted primarily in the last century, given the growing importance of the international financial system and interconnection between countries. Furthermore, the role of the US Dollar as the international reserve currency, combined with its extraterritorial legal aspect and the prevalence of US institutions to facilitate cross-border transfers, has made financial sanctions an attractive tool of international coercive action. While the effectiveness of financial sanctions is debatable, they have still been attractive for many nations to be employed. The United States and China have experienced considerable disagreements with respect to their view on trade terms and the exchange of information. This has led to the sanctioning of several businesses by the United States and even forced some corporations to delist from US exchanges. For investors, this poses a significant risk as corporations may be required to delist, which will lead to significant losses. We present a distributionally robust optimization framework for the optimal Islamic portfolio when taking into account the risk of sanctions. The key feature of the framework is that it both integrates Islamic values in addition to ensuring robustness against the impact of possible sanctions. The results demonstrated that the investments are within a limited number of enterprises in order to avoid potential significant downside risks related to sanctions. The framework and study represent an important step towards greater risk assessment of sanctions-related effects on Shariah-compliant portfolios and safeguarding the returns of Islamic ETF investors. This contributes significantly to maintaining Shariah principles that focus on value investment and reduce the risk of fund managers engaging in gambling risks to drive returns.
Competency of Shariah Auditors in Malaysia: Issues and Challenges
Authors: Ali Nor Aishah Mohd , Mohamed Zakiah Muhammadun , Shahimi Shahida , Shafii Zurina
Published: February 2025

Over the last decade since the inception of the first Islamic bank in Malaysia in 1983, Malaysia saw an increasing demand for Islamic banking services from consumers.Â  Whilst the need for highly trained and skilled manpower in the Islamic banking industry is well established, the main challenge is really a mismatch of talent pool between what is required by the banks and what is offered by the market. Thus, this paper argues for a competency framework for shariah auditors in Malaysia. Prior research reveals that the competency requirements for shariah auditors were still not developed even though there is a need for it. A more recent empirical study reveals that most shariah auditors are either trained in shariah or auditing discipline. There is indeed an urgent need to draft the competency requirements which will include the knowledge, skills and other characteristics (KSOC) requirements to ensure adequate supply of competent shariah auditors to meet the expanding market demand. This paper proposes a new KSOC model as a basis for competency framework for shariah auditors that can uphold their effective functioning in our Islamic banking system.
Cash Waqf: Historical Evolution, Nature and Role as an Alternative to Riba-Based Financing for the Grass Root
Authors: Ahmad Mahadi
Published: February 2025

It is a settled matter among the Muslim jurists that riba in its any form is prohibited. It is so due to the exploitation and injustice associated with riba-based loans. To overcome the resulting hardship of non-availability of easy loans, sustainable alternatives are provided under the Shariah to enhance mutual dealings and promote commercial transactions. This paper sets to explore the Islamic heritage of cash waqf as alternative to riba based financing, the nature and its potentials in assisting the grass root in the society. This is because entrepreneurship which could be one of the key solutions to the growing poverty in the world, availability of cash is a prerequisite to making its wide practice a possibility. It is undisputable that the poor are unbankable and so they are denied access to commercial loans. This research contends that cash waqf could serve as a solution to this problem, by investigating the historical evolution and identifying the challenges that could stand against its development through lessons from the past. The paper finds that cash waqf is capable of promoting entrepreneurship in the world with interest free loans from the cash waqf institutions, making the poor self reliant and dignified.
Corporate Governance Disclosure Practices and Performance of Islamic Banks in GCC Countries
Authors: Srairi Samir
Published: February 2025

This paper investigates the impact of the level of corporate governance disclosure on bank performance by constructing a corporate governance disclosure index (CGDI) for 27 Islamic banks operating in five Arab Gulf countries. Using content analysis on the banksâ€™ annual reports for 3 years (2011-2013), the composite index construction uses information on six important corporate governance mechanisms, namely board structure, risk management, transparency and disclosure, audit committee, Sharia supervisory board and investment account holders. The results demonstrate that Islamic banks adhere to 54% of the attributes addressed in the CGDI. The most frequently reported and disclosed elements are Sharia supervisory board followed by board structure and risk management. The findings related to countries revealed that only two countries, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, possess a higher level of CGDI. Our regression results provide evidence that Islamic banks with higher levels of corporate governance disclosure report high operating performance measured by return on assets and return on equity. Finally, as of the effect of internal and external factors, we identified four variables that were associated with bank performance, namely size, equity, risk and concentration.
An Analytical Framework to Examine Shari'ah-Compliant Mortgage Financing by Financial Cooperatives in Malaysia
Authors: Md Zabri Mohd Zaidi , Abdul Razak Dzuljastri , Omar Mohammed Mustafa
Published: February 2025

This paper utilises an analytical framework to explore and critically examine issues and challenges of offering Shariâ€™ah-compliant mortgage financing by financial cooperatives in Malaysia. Concepts from five distinct theories (Theory of Credit Cooperative, Transaction Costs Theory, Agency Theory, Stakeholder Theory, and Theory of Credit Rationing) are modified and integrated to form a hybrid, layered framework. This is then used as a â€˜lensâ€™ to highlight the issues pertaining to business models and strategies, good governance, regulation and supervision, risk management, human resource management, which may influence the success of mortgage financing. This analytical framework is useful for relevant stakeholders on how to manage the issues, challenges, and harnessing the prospects of Shariâ€™ah-compliant mortgage financing products.
Business Process Improvement of Funding: A Proposition to Increase the Performance of Indonesian Islamic Banking
Authors: Widigdo Aslam Mei Nur , - Marimin , Fahmi Idqan , Beik Irfan Syauqi
Published: February 2025

The aims of this research paper are to analyze the problems related to some aspects of the Indonesia Islamic Banking such as the implementation of Shariâ€™ah principles and its value chain on the Funding of Islamic Banking, and to formulate an improvement proposal to improve the business process of third party mobilization in order to increase the performance of Islamic Banking in Indonesia. This is a combined qualitative and quantitative research. Value Stream Mapping, Business Process Re-engineering (BPR) and Analytic Network Process were used in a qualitative approach. Likert scale questionnaire was used in a quantitative approach. The results of this research involve a proposition to change the business process of funding, which was actually an outcome of business process reengineering with enablers of information technology development and adjustment of policies related with the enhancement of Islamic principles implementation and business strategy formulation. Design of BPR was able to reduce the waiting time (queue) as a waste or non value added sub process (NVA) and re-layout several necessary but non value-added sub process (NNVA). The business process changes will be effective with the two groups of enabler. The first enabler is information technology development, such as online regristation, and instalation of self service banking machine (SSBM) and/or Cash Deposit Machine (CDM). The second enabler is the policies adjustment that included the recommendations to increase Shariâ€™ah values implementation, as well as the adjustment of strategies combined with a sequential priority of resources empowerment, product development, institutional strengthening, and increase in marketing.