ABSTRACT
PurposeThe purpose of this study is to assess small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) owners' intentions to participate in waqf, involving two countries, which are Malaysia and Indonesia, using the theory of planned behavior. SMEs are the backbone of many economies, representing 95% of all companies worldwide and accounting for 60% of employment. Based on this fact, this paper analyzes the influence of religiosity, knowledge and attitude to predict the intentions of SMEs' owners in waqf participation in Malaysia and Indonesia.Design/methodology/approachData were randomly obtained from 175 SMEs owners from Malaysia and Indonesia with the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) used for analysis.FindingsThe empirical analysis data suggest that knowledge and attitude show a significant impact on the intentions of SMEs' owners to participate in waqf, while religiosity does not have a significant impact on the intentions of Malaysian and Indonesian SMEs' owners to participate in waqf.Practical implicationsThis study aims to assist SMEs in Malaysia and Indonesia to formulate appropriate strategies and marketing using waqf for the sustainability of SMEs which represent more than 90% of business establishments in both countries. The strategy is a necessity, especially because the government is targeting to promote a sustainable Islamic financial system, improve governance policy and halal industry for SMEs, strengthen the development of Malay Reserve land, providing as financial independence to higher learning institutions and invest in digitalization and advanced technology through waqf funds. Therefore, both countries should take the initiative to provide training to equip SMEs with extensive knowledge through multiple platforms to further encourage their participation in waqf.Originality/valueBecause of the increasing interest in waqf participation both in Malaysia and Indonesia, this study claims three essential contributions. First, it aims to examine the intention of SMEs in waqf participation among the business owners in Malaysia and Indonesia. Second, the study findings are expected to benefit the development of literature in accordance with Islamic social finance, particularly waqf. Third, this study provides an insight into the inclusive knowledge and attitude of SME owners and their intention to participate in waqf.
ABSTRACT
Despite helping to solve problems in society and the environment and enabling financial independence, a disproportionately low number of women enter engineering careers. Contributing factors may include a lack of female role models and activities that would increase the interest and confidence in STEM pathways during the developing years. Our university has initiated activities to provide exposure to role models and STEM activities to young females. This year Ron Burton Training Village (RBTV) started a new STEM program for female students grades 6-11 which would span over 6 years. The students would attend a different experience every weekend and conclude the yearly experience with a capstone project. Our university partnered with RBTV for one weekend workshop experience. The program was intended to be an in-person event but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this program was conducted synchronously through Zoom virtual meetings. Our university is well known for “hands-on” learning, and we decided to keep the experience hands-on even if it had to be virtual. Students participated in STEM-related hands-on projects, connecting them to real life applications and boosting students' interests in different STEM disciplines. The program represents part of our university's ongoing efforts to interest young women in STEM. The core of the half-day workshop was three 45-minute STEM modules: Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. The students rotated between the different workshops. The three modules are presented in this paper. Civil Engineering project was Soil Testing, Electrical Engineering project was Food Battery, and Computer Science project was Smart Picker. 38 female students participated in this new STEM program. A survey was conducted at the end of the event to evaluate the content of the program. Students were excited about our program, learning, and experiencing different fields of engineering. We received very positive feedback from the students. The students really enjoyed the hands-on experience. Students reflected that they would like to participate in more STEM related activities in the future. © American Society for Engineering Education, 2022.
ABSTRACT
La pandémie de Covid-19 a impacté sanitairement, économiquement et socialement les individus dans tous les pays du monde. Les conséquences liées aux mesures prophylactiques ont ralenti ou arrêté l'économie mondiale, les marchés du travail nationaux et, in fine, la condition des femmes. Dans un contexte national moins favorable aux femmes, il leur est toujours difficile d'obtenir une double indépendance familiale et professionnelle. Être conjoint-collaborateur, aide familiale, micro-entrepreneuse, pluriactive, travailleuse indépendante, chef d'entreprise, voire employeuse ne donne pas le même statut social et économique. La disparité entre les genres dans les sphères privées et professionnelles se ressent davantage dans un environnement inédit de restrictions des possibles. Contrairement aux précédentes crises économiques, la crise sanitaire a touché massivement des secteurs féminins, impactant plus les femmes, malgré les politiques publiques d'aides financières. Les femmes ont été davantage en première ligne dans les activités de soin (care) professionnel, mais également de soin (care) privé, en supportant une charge domestique encore plus élevée. Le travail indépendant n'est pas la solution miraculeuse, qu'il soit complet ou d'appoint, même s'il peut donner l'illusion d'une autonomie financière et d'une émancipation familiale.Alternate :The Covid-19 pandemic has had health, economic and social impacts on individuals in every country in the world. The consequences of prophylactic measures have slowed or stopped the global economy, national labour markets and women's rights. In a national context that is less favourable to women, the latter still struggle to achieve dual family and professional independence. Being a collaborating spouse, a family helper, a micro-entrepreneur, a multi-tasker, a self-employed woman, a CEO or an employer does not give the same social and economic status. Gender disparity in the private and professional spheres is further felt in an unprecedented environment of restricted possibilities. Unlike previous economic crises, the health crisis has massively affected women's sectors, impacting women more despite public policies of financial support. Women have been in the forefront of professional care activities and also of private care, bearing an even higher domestic burden. Self-employment is not a miracle solution, whether it is full or part-time, even if it can give the illusion of financial independence and family emancipation.
ABSTRACT
Purpose: This study aims to understand and analyse the financial independence of women in small island developing states, with a focus on Mauritius. Factors such as employer choice, domestic violence, sociological factors, lack of opportunities and empowerment and the legal framework have been identified as potential influencers of the financial independence of women. Design/methodology/approach: A survey was conducted where residents of Mauritius were targeted to have a more generic overview of the subject matter. A response rate of 347 was received. The partial least square structural equation modeling was used to analyse the proposed framework. Findings: A total of 12 hypotheses were proposed and only 2 hypotheses were confirmed. The sociological factors, lack of opportunities, domestic violence and employer choice appeared not to have a significant influence on the financial independence of women. The legal system had a significant influence on the financial independence of women. Originality/value: It must be acknowledged that the literature is rich with studies on financial independence. Nevertheless, not much has been prescribed in the literature from the perspective of small developing economies and having women at the centre of the debate. The theory of gender and power and the social learning theory were used as the theoretical foundation. © 2022, Emerald Publishing Limited.