Business and Islamic Finance Research Group

Business and Islamic Finance Research Group (BIFRG) aspires to combine the frontier knowledge of the finance discipline with the Islamic principles and tenets reminiscent of those found Arab and other Muslim countries. BIFRG create new knowledge through implementing cutting-edge research programs that help improve financial decision making by private entities and government operating within the economic environment of the Arab and the broader Muslim world. BIFRG generally pursue research activities within two themes, namely, Business Finance and Islamic Finance. Business Finance projects cover corporate finance and governance, asset pricing and investment analysis, banking operations, financial regulation and risk management, while the Islamic Finance theme focuses on Islamic banking operations, Islamic financial assets, and Islamic investments. BIFRG facilitate cultivation of high impact knowledge in both thematic areas by undertaking relevant projects, seminars, conferences, symposiums, workshops, and collaborations with local and international scholars and institutions. This aids to identify innovative and practice-oriented research projects.

MISSION of the Research Group:

The Business and Islamic Finance Research Group's mission is to create and sustain a sound research environment by conducting high-quality research and other scholarly activities in the field of business and Islamic finance.

OBJECTIVES of the Research Group:

Identify the research knowledge gap in the field of business and Islamic finance and propose practical and relevant research topics to fill the research gap. Work as a team and conduct empirical research in business and Islamic finance. Publish research in leading academic journals and to provide a working paper series, a workshop series, and occasional symposiums/conferences. Work closely with other research teams in the College to avoid duplication and enhance coordination. Contribute to the mission in the area of research and community engagement.

The group has two thematic lines of research. Business Finance focuses on the mainstream finance and banking topics while Islamic Finance studies topics related to the Islamic financial system that includes Islamic banking, Islamic investments, and development of Islamic financial markets. Sub-topics includes research on corporate finance and bank risk management under the Business Finance thematic area, and prospects and challenges for Islamic banking under the Islamic Finance thematic area.