Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects of the following factors: image, awareness, Shariah compliance and individualism, on the attitude and intention of customers to use Islamic banking among Bank customers in UAE, and the mediating role of attitude in that model, using a theoretical model based on the multi-attribute attitude model, the theory of reasoned actions and the theory of planned behaviour. Design/methodology/approach The research will focus on surveying bank customers living in UAE. The researcher will use structural equation modelling to analyse the data. Findings Results show that attitude and awareness affect intention directly, while image, awareness, Shariah compliance and individualism affect attitude directly and intention indirectly mediated by attitude. Research limitations/implications The sample size includes 178 bank customers living in three cities in UAE, hence, the rest of the country is not included. Practical implications The research shows the importance of Shariah compliance, individualism and image on attitude and intention and provides suggestions for banks to benefit from these aspects to widen their customer base. Social implications The study provides an insight into individuals’ decision making and the importance of a social approach by banks when advertising. Originality/value The research is the first empirical attempt to test new factors affecting attitude towards Islamic banking in UAE.

This paper presents an empirical analysis of the factors which promote entrepreneurial activity across a number of transition, developing and developed countries. It produces results which highlight the importance of institutions in promoting entrepreneurial activity. This work is part of an on-going research project on the relationship between the legal system and factors which influence economic development. In particular, it has been shown that legal rules protecting creditors and investors influence the size of financial markets which in turn influence economic development. Our paper thus extends the analysis of the impact of institutions beyond that previously established to demonstrate its influence on another driver of economic development. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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Purpose This paper aims to use a theoretical model based on the theory of reasoned actions to investigate the effects of attitude, religious motivation, awareness and service and pricing on the intention to use Islamic banking among the Muslim minority in Spain. It also aims to determine the profile of a potential Islamic banking customer among this minority. Design/methodology/approach The research focuses on a survey of Muslims living in Barcelona, Spain, who know of the existence of Islamic finance but do not have access to it. The research uses factor analysis and logit regression to analyse the data. Findings The results show that attitude, religious motivation and awareness are important factors affecting the intention to use Islamic banking. The study also shows that the potential Islamic banking customer in Spain is a Muslim (Spanish, Moroccan or Pakistani), male, and did not reach university degree in his education. Research limitations/implications The sample has 154 participants living in Barcelona, with the rest of Spain being ignored, although results should apply to all Muslims in Spain. Also, this study does not consider attitude as a moderator. Practical implications The research shows the potential for Islamic banks in the Spanish market and the possibility of raising awareness about Islamic banking. Social implications Islamic banking in Spain could help the Muslim minority to participate effectively in financial activities, thus leveraging their capacity to integrate into the community. The study also highlights the importance of empowering the women in this minority and could help society by encouraging off-banking money to flow into the financial sector. Originality/value The research is the first empirical attempt to test the factors affecting the intention among Muslims in Spain to deal with Islamic banking. The study also highlights the importance of Islamic finance for Muslim minorities as a method to support their religious identity.