The Role of Customer-focused Strategies to Improve Islamic Microfinance Institutions Performance: Empirical Evidence and Lessons from Yemen

Abdo Ali Homaid, Ali Yusob Md Zain, Yahya Ali Al-Matari, Mohd Sobri Minai and Fais Bin Ahmad
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Abdo Ali Homaid: School of Business Management, College of Business, Universiti Utara Malaysia, Kedah, Malaysia,
Ali Yusob Md Zain: School of Business Management, College of Business, Universiti Utara Malaysia, Kedah, Malaysia,
Yahya Ali Al-Matari: Department of Banking and Risk Management, School of Economics, Finance and Banking, Universiti Utara Malaysia, Kedah, Malaysia,
Mohd Sobri Minai: School of Business Management, College of Business, Universiti Utara Malaysia, Kedah, Malaysia,
Fais Bin Ahmad: School of Business Management, College of Business, Universiti Utara Malaysia, Kedah, Malaysia.

International Review of Management and Marketing, 2017, vol. 7, issue 1, 291-299

Abstract: Microfinance, a tool to fight poverty and to promote economic development, has attracted the attention of governments, international organizations, and academicians across the globe. Although the literature provides substantial evidence on the significant effects of the customer-focused strategies such as Total Quality Management (TQM) and Market Orientation (MO) on organizational performance, research on the role of these factors in the context of microfinance is still too limited, and in the field of Islamic microfinance is even more neglected. Moreover, empirical research related to these factors has shown that the findings are not conclusive, indicating the need for further research in the area. Thus, this study aims at examining the roles of TQM and MO on Islamic Microfinance Institutions (MFIs) performance in Yemen which provides additional insights into the literature. Cross-sectional survey was employed, and questionnaires were administered to collect data from the branch managers of Islamic MFIs in Yemen. Out of 93 questionnaires distributed through a self-administered approach, 71 usable responses were used for the analysis. Partial least square-structural equation modeling was used and the results provide an empirical evidence of the significant roles of TQM and MO on the Islamic MFIs performance. The study is of great importance for academicians as it opens the door for further research into the area. It is also useful for practitioners as it provides empirical evidence on the significant roles of these strategies in achieving sustainability and better performance by Islamic MFIs in Yemen. These strategies are essential in establishing the platform for innovation to enable Islamic MFIs to develop and generate new Islamic financing products that satisfy Muslims entrepreneurs.

Keywords: Total Quality Management; Market Orientation; Islamic Microfinance Institutions Performance; Yemen (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: G21 L1 M3 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2017
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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