Investigating drivers of qardhul hassan financing acceptance in the time of COVID-19: a Malaysian breadwinner perspective

ABSTRACT

Purpose - This study was conducted to examine factors that could determine breadwinners' willingness to accept qardhul hassan financing in the time of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Design/methodology/approach - Drawing upon 'Attitude, Social Influence and Self-Efficacy' (ASE) model, this study examined the effects of attitude, subjective influence and self-efficacy on qardhul hassan financing acceptance during the pandemic. The sample size was 294 respondents who were all breadwinners and sourced from group bottom 40 or B40 in Malaysia. Findings - The results obtained acknowledged that attitude, subjective influence and self-efficacy shaped the formation and development of breadwinners' acceptance to take up the facility during the pandemic at best for well-being. Research limitations/implications - Future studies should include samples from other geographies in Malaysia along with new variables relevant to extend the findings. Practical implications - The results obtained offer new action plans for Islamic social financial institutions to better plan the offered qardhul hassan financing to society at large. Originality/value - There are two originalities drawn from this study. First, this study is a pioneering work in Malaysia examining the importance of qardhul hassan financing in the time of COVID-19. Second, this study used the ASE model in examining the breadwinners' acceptability of the financing facility in meeting basic needs and requirements.