Books in the De Gruyter Studies in Islamic Economics, Finance and Business series

Islamic Economics and Finance is regarded as a discipline at the work-in-progress stage, it is important that progress is set to continue on solid platforms. One such platform is the analytical framework with issues related to Islamic law, jurisprudence, and beliefs. The principal objective of this Handbook is to probe and bring some clarity to the debate on certain questions that are essentially analytical and empirical in nature.

Crowdfunding is increasingly becoming a method of mobilizing project finance ventures, particularly in a sharing economy. Moreover, the element of risk sharing which is found in equity crowdfunding makes up the essence of Islamic finance. However, as with any type of risk-sharing contract, Islamic crowdfunding faces the problem of lack of trust and information asymmetry. The author employs a game theory approach to Islamic crowdfunding as a means to tackle the issue of information asymmetry through a "reputation mechanism" which is touted as one of the latest means of solving information asymmetry in web-based social networks. The primary objective of the reputation mechanism is to enable more efficient transactions in communities where cooperation is compromised by post-contractual opportunism or information asymmetry. The game theory approach in this study involves two different games: "without Fame" and "with Fame", and it is proposed that a "with Fame" crowdfunding game produces better results. The reputational mechanism in this research was also designed specifically to eliminate any potential moral hazards and minimize information asymmetry. In this study, "Fame" refers to the credibility of every individual within the crowdfunding system. Fame is a form of systematic, measurable and computable (implicit and explicit) reputation, which allows other members of the crowdfunding social network to better learn about the individual and their credibility.

Income inequality is a serious problem confronting not only the developed world but also developing countries. Recently, financialization has been one of the culprits identified in literature as one of the cause of income inequality. This book offers the only detailed presentation of the how financialization aided the spread of income inequality in Organization of Islamic Cooperation, OIC countries. Finance has taking a center stage in the affairs of most developing economies, surpassing the real sector of the economy. The result is the creation of an indebted society in which people are comfortable with financing their financial needs through credit. This creates a debt laden society that is trapped in the cycle of debt. This book represents a comprehensive and indispensable source for students, practitioners and the general public at large. It presents data which shows the buildup of debt and the rising income inequality in Muslim countries. It includes discussion of the rise in rentier income, financialization of everyday life, decline in physical capital accumulation and deregulation of the financial sector. The book therefore, proffers solutions on how Muslim countries can come out of the present economic problem facing them. The promotion and adoption of Islamic principles, which promotes risk sharing based contracts as against debt based transaction is the way to go. When financial contracts are based on the principles of risk sharing, any gains from economic activities get to be shared equitably. Hence, not only capital owners get to enjoy the benefit from the income derived from investments, but rather, all parties that partake in the contract. Distinguished by its clarity and readability as it is written in a very easy to understand language, it is an important reference work for any concerned individual interested on the recent causes of income inequality in Muslim World.