Purpose This study aims to formulate a strategy for optimizing zakat governance in zakat institutions in East Java Province by identifying priority problems, creating solutions and developing strategies. Design/methodology/approach This qualitative research uses the analytical network process method. Ten respondents representing practitioners, academics, associations and regulators were selected for their expertise in zakat governance. The data were processed using Super Decision software program and Excel. Findings Priority issues in optimizing zakat governance found in this study are lack of information on Mustahik’s needs and development to Muzakki and the low motivation and ability of Mustahik to develop. Improving the quality and capacity of Amil’s, especially in the technological aspect, is a priority solution. The priority strategy considers intensification (by developing Amil’s ability to use technology) and extensification (by increasing Amil’s numbers who master technology). Practical implications The results highlight the urgency of increasing Amil’s capacity and capability in technology-based zakat management. Zakat institutions need to prepare for management’s transformation toward zakat technology as one of the priorities in optimizing zakat governance. Originality/value Problems, solutions and strategies for optimizing zakat governance are collected by connecting it to the Zakat Core Principles, namely, the ninth principle of collection management and the tenth principle of distribution management. Further, for identifying problems, solutions and strategies, four aspects must be considered of Amil, Muzakki, Mustahiq and other supporting elements to present better policies to optimize zakat governance.

Zakat is an instrument of Islamic economic and social funds that contributes to the achievement of people wellbeing. This study examines the business growth as a mediating variable on the relationship between the impact of the zakat empowerment programs and mustahiq's (zakat recipient) welfare. This quantitative study employs Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) analysis on 100 mustahiqs from different zakat empowerment programs in East Java and DI Yogyakarta. Zakat empowerment positively affects mustahiq's welfare. This indicates that the empowerment program successfully increases mustahiqs' wellbeing and their business. Business growth as a mediating variable on the relationship between business assistantship and mustahiq welfare also shows a positive and significant effect. Further, macroeconomic indicators consisting of GRDP and inflation and internal factors consisting of age and educational level, have different impacts on the business growth of mustahiq. This study confirms the zakat empowerment program's role in improving the mustahiq's welfare based on maqashid al-shariah (the Islamic objectives). Zakat community empowerment is a solution to suppress the poverty rate and possible for reducing inequality and ending poverty in Indonesia. This study extends Tika Widiastuti ABOUT THE AUTHORS Tika Widiastuti is a lecturer and researcher at the Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Airlangga. She holds a doctorate in Islamic Economics. Her research interest includes zakat governance and Islamic economics. Ilmiawan Auwalin is a lecturer and researcher at the Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Airlangga. He holds a Ph. D in Economics from the School of Economics, the University of Sydney. His research interest includes economic development, labor market studies, and micro and small enterprises development. Lina Nugraha Rani is a lecturer and researcher at the Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Airlangga. She holds a Master in Islamic Economics. Her research interest includes Islamic economics, Islamic Finance and Banking.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to present the characteristics of incarcerated women in two prisons in Java, Indonesia and discuss the specific problems and needs incarcerated women with children face with regard to mothering. Design/methodology/approach A cross-sectional survey using a semi-structured questionnaire was administered to 399 incarcerated women in two prisons. Focus group discussions provided additional information on mother’s experiences in prison. Findings This research finds that children’s welfare was an important concern for mothers while in prison and that they faced various problems in maintaining family ties during their incarceration, including distance, costs and time for family to visit (49.3 percent), and challenges to being able to communicate with family and children (26.6 percent). Originality/value This study contributes to the limited research on incarcerated women in Indonesia, broadly, and on mothering and incarceration, in particular, and suggests that women’s needs as mothers have not been taken into consideration by prisons and the criminal justice system.

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Purpose This study aims to investigate the effects of zakat and business assistance on the growth and well-being of mustahiqs (zakat recipients). This study also investigates the impact of macroeconomic variables on the welfare of mutahiqs. Design/methodology/approach The partial least squares-structural equation modelling method is used in this quantitative study, examining data from 137 mustahiqs. The data was collected from seven zakat institutions, which run effective zakat programmes to empower mustahiqs. Findings Zakat empowerment programmes and business assistantships positively impact the growth of mustahiqs’ businesses, beneficial to their well-being. Nevertheless, their well-being is unaffected by the proxy of the macroeconomy. Originality/value This study adds to the zakat literature by identifying the relationship between zakat, business growth, macroeconomic conditions and mustahiq welfare. Accordingly, this approach was made by combining primary and secondary data. This research offers a unique measure of welfare based on the concept of the Islamic objectives (Maqasid al-Shariah).