Zakat institutions’ adoption of social media

Abstract

Purpose This paper aims to explore the factors of social media adoption by zakat institutions. Design/methodology/approach This study uses qualitative data as the main source of evidence. Data were collected using semi-structured face-to-face interviews. Ten respondents from eight zakat institutions across Malaysia were interviewed. Judgement sampling and snowballing techniques were used to select respondents. Data analysis was done in three phases, namely, data reduction, data display and conclusion confirmation. Findings The findings of this study found perceived benefits, ease of use, accessibility, formalization, training, management push and indirect public push to be the determinant factors that contribute to the adoption of a social media application in zakat institutions. They are discussed and organized into a few groups under four categories, namely, technological, organizational and environmental contexts based on the TOE framework. Research limitations/implications This study contributes to the existing body of knowledge in technology adoption understanding with the engagement of a range of Technology Organization Environment (TOE) framework. However, for future research, quantitative data involving the zakat payers should be anticipated to further understand the issue. Practical implications Output from this study may be useful to the adoption champions within zakat institutions, such as decision-makers and marketing officers. These people can help to provide guidelines and steer managers to focus on the identified factors in this study when adopting social media. Social implications The finding from this study may help to increase the efficiency of two-way communication between zakat institutions and the community. It was found that the adoption of social media improved communication activities with the public and better handling of negative perceptions towards zakat institutions. The findings proved that using social media applications in zakat institutions can help create a better organizational image for the public by publishing instant and continuous news feeds on activities that specifically cater to the need of the asnaf. This can alleviate negative perceptions that zakat institutions are only good in collecting money, but not effective in helping the poor. Originality/value Previous zakat literature has focussed on different issues such as the determinants of zakat compliance behaviors, zakat fund management, distribution of funds, zakat information system and digital marketing; however, little is known about how and why zakat institutions adopt social media applications as a communication tool with the public. Thus, this research makes a difference by focussing on a new aspect of study in the zakat environment, which aims to explore the factors of social media adoption by zakat institutions. This study also proposes the new appropriate TOE framework to understand the adoption behaviour by the zakat institution towards social media application.

The Effect of Bengkulu Makmur Program at BAZNAS Bengkulu Province on Welfare and Its Implications for Mustahiq's social Care

“…Findings -The research results show that (1) The Bengkulu Makmur program has a positive and significant effect on social care, meaning that as the Makmur program increases, mustahiq care more, (2) The Bengkulu Makmur program has a positive and significant effect on the welfare of mustahiq, (the more the Makmur program, the more prosperous the mustahiq will be), (3) Mustahiq's welfare has a positive and significant effect on mustahiq's social care, (the more prosperous the mustahiq is, the greater his concern for the environment), and (4) Welfare of mustahiq mediates the influence of the Bengkulu Makmur Program and social care in a positive and significant way (the more Makmur programs increase, the mustahiq's welfare and care for the environment also increase. Province.…”

“…The Zakat system ensures proper distribution of wealth and has a far-reaching impact on the entire fabric of society. If zakat is established as an institution, it will create a collective social security scheme for mutual help/sympathy and its resources can be further utilized for social development (Abdullah & Suhaib, 2011). The results of the study (Shaikh, 2015) revealed that the collection of Zakat in Pakistan can reach 7% of total GDP and is considered sufficient to cover the poverty gap in Pakistan.…”

Understanding muzaki adoption of digital zakat payments in Indonesia

“…In the times followed by technological advances, zakat organizations globally have gradually adopted the concept of technology in carrying out their operational activities (Salleh et al, 2017). Digital technology is also increasingly being used by zakat institutions in Indonesia, starting with the collection, distribution, and management of zakat and education related to zakat literacy (Abdullah et al, 2023;.…”

“…One of them is that online zakat payment platforms are not widely utilized by the public, especially when compared to the number of individuals who still make zakat payments in the traditional offline manner. The factors influencing the acceptance and usage of these platforms need to be further understood to maximize their benefits in improving zakat distribution and community welfare (Abdullah et al, 2023;Syahputra & Mukhtasar, 2021).…”

Muslim charity in the United Kingdom: Between counter-terror and social integration

“…From a scholarly perspective, the purpose of zakat is said to encourage the development of pious, moral persons in that ‘ zakat moulds the individual into responsible caring persons. It inculcates the spirit of good will, cooperation, and brotherhood in upholding social solidarity in the society’ (Abdullah and Suhaib, 2011: 85).…”