This book explores several challenges facing FinTech in Islamic financial institutions. Firstly, large banks and financial institutions in countries with updated and innovative technological channels will earn the technology arbitrage from FinTech. This 'size' puzzle may create a challenge for Islamic financial institutions that are of smaller size and from technologically less-developed countries. Secondly, while access to FinTech is getting broader day by day, usage of FinTech is still limited due to personal and governance-related limitations. Moreover, the level of awareness of the emerging FinTech services (i.e., bitcoin, blockchain, etc.) remains extremely poor even among the residents of technologically-advanced countries. Thirdly, use of FinTech by Islamic financial institutions is limited to Islamic banking, to users from developed countries, among young customers, and for a limited number of traditional banking services such as the deposits and payment services. Also, banks hope to use FinTech to increase the size of a new breed of technology-savvy depositors and loan customers to achieve economies of scale, which may help stabilize the banking sector. Automation in Islamic banks and the participation of Islamic financial institutions in blockchain and bitcoin domains require extensive research from Shariah-compliance as well as market and consumer-related grounds. With all the opportunities and challenges of FinTech-promoting inclusion, easier loan monitoring, and risk of Shariah non-compliance-this book explores the implications for Islamic financial institutions and will be of interest to scholars, researchers, and students of Islamic finance and financial technology.

Most existing texts covering topics in Islamic finance discuss the potential of Islamic banking; very few talk about other forms of financing and the investment activities of Islamic firms from the standpoint of owners and managers. This book fills this gap by looking at the traditional as well as non-traditional financing and investment activities of shariah-compliant companies. The chapters in this edited text offer a full range of topics on corporate finance for Islamic firms, including global comparisons of shariah screening, dividend policy and capital structure of Islamic firms, details of global Islamic equity markets, trends and performance of sukuk markets, and a brief account of derivative securities that can be used in Islamic finance. This is a useful reference for anyone who wishes to learn more about the performance of shariah-compliant companies vis-a-vis conventional firms. The book includes both technical and non-technical information that would be suitable for classroom teaching as well as a reference for postgraduate research students.

Here is a comprehensive overview of the drugs that act on the central and peripheral nervous systems. This volume thoroughly describes the diseases associated with the nervous system and the drugs used for their treatment while also looking at the current status of these drugs and their future potential and challenges. Divided into three sections, the book first focuses on the drugs that affect the functions of the autonomic nervous system to produce therapeutic effects. These drugs may act presynaptically by manipulating the genesis, storage, and secretion, and by blocking the action of neurotransmitters. Some drugs may trigger or impede postsynaptic receptors. Section 2 focuses on drugs that affect the central nervous system, including antianxiety drugs, sedative and hypnotic drugs, antidepressant drugs, antipsychotic drugs, antiepileptic drugs, and many more. It covers the pharmacological management of various diseases, including Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Huntington's, and others. The last section offers explanations of neurochemical interactions with the aim to develop drugs that have beneficial effects on neurochemical imbalances. This section demonstrates models to assess the transport of drugs across the blood-brain barrier and nanomedicine to treat brain disorders. This rich compilation provides thorough and extensive research updates on the important advances in neuropharmacological drugs and drug therapy from experienced and eminent academicians, researchers, and scientists from throughout the world.

Demonstrating high quality theoretical and empirical findings in the areas of Islamic finance, banking, entrepreneurship, insurance, capital market, Islamic leadership, and Halal marketing, this new work includes topics on consumer perception, services orientation, new product development, risk management, industry readiness for better customer satisfaction, and policy issues coupling strategy and best practices. Of interest to both academics and practitioners who assist in making Shariah-centric strategies, this work is particularly important as Asia holds a major percentage of Islamic assets in South Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East, with new opportunities opening in Central Asia.

Muslim consumers represent an untapped and viable market segment, but to date there has been very little research on catering to their needs or running and managing Islamic businesses. Innovations in Islamic business, interest in the use of Sukuk (Islamic bonds) to finance major projects, pressures on Islamic banks to reduce the financing gap in society, and the need to understand Muslim consumers, require a deeper grasp of the issues and opportunities involved, which are quite unique. In similar vein, acquiring expertise on topics specific to Shari'ah-compliant businesses requires a thorough knowledge of matters ranging from financing to branding and, in a broader sense, creating an entrepreneurial framework suitable to the market. This book fills this gap by presenting high-quality and original case studies on Islamic finance, marketing and management from around the world. Equally valuable in business school classrooms and for c-suite strategists, it will help readers shape business strategies to tap into a billion-strong market.

Here is a comprehensive overview of the drugs that act on the central and peripheral nervous systems. This volume thoroughly describes the diseases associated with the nervous system and the drugs used for their treatment while also looking at the current status of these drugs and their future potential and challenges. Divided into three sections, the book first focuses on the drugs that affect the functions of the autonomic nervous system to produce therapeutic effects. These drugs may act presynaptically by manipulating the genesis, storage, and secretion, and by blocking the action of neurotransmitters. Some drugs may trigger or impede postsynaptic receptors. Section 2 focuses on drugs that affect the central nervous system, including antianxiety drugs, sedative and hypnotic drugs, antidepressant drugs, antipsychotic drugs, antiepileptic drugs, and many more. It covers the pharmacological management of various diseases, including Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Huntington's, and others. The last section offers explanations of neurochemical interactions with the aim to develop drugs that have beneficial effects on neurochemical imbalances. This section demonstrates models to assess the transport of drugs across the blood-brain barrier and nanomedicine to treat brain disorders. This rich compilation provides thorough and extensive research updates on the important advances in neuropharmacological drugs and drug therapy from experienced and eminent academicians, researchers, and scientists from throughout the world.

Islamic finance has emerged as an alternative to century-old conventional financial instruments to cater to cater to the needs of Muslims as well as non-Muslims. The industry has seen significant growth over the last two decades and has been facing omnidirectional challenges with respect to regulation, competition, and compatibility. These challenges have presented worthy debate on the principles, practices, and performance in Islamic finance globally. In this issue, we have presented issues relevant to the most recent debate on the performance, practices, and principles of the Islamic finance industry as a whole, covering eleven distinct issues. Authors have contributed to the existing body of knowledge on risk management in Islamic banks, diversification in Islamic equity markets, performance and acceptance of Islamic microcredit and Islamic banking services, long-term corporate finance using sukuk, and the social development agenda via the development of financial intuitions, SME financing, and financial inclusion. Selected topics cover the principles in relevant areas, focus on recent practices, and highlight performance on certain influential areas. The issue is aimed at academicians, researchers, and policymakers who are working in the Islamic finance industry and who would like to explore more.

Most existing texts covering topics in Islamic finance discuss the potential of Islamic banking; very few talk about other forms of financing and the investment activities of Islamic firms from the standpoint of owners and managers. This book fills this gap by looking at the traditional as well as non-traditional financing and investment activities of shariah-compliant companies. The chapters in this edited text offer a full range of topics on corporate finance for Islamic firms, including global comparisons of shariah screening, dividend policy and capital structure of Islamic firms, details of global Islamic equity markets, trends and performance of sukuk markets, and a brief account of derivative securities that can be used in Islamic finance. This is a useful reference for anyone who wishes to learn more about the performance of shariah-compliant companies vis-a-vis conventional firms. The book includes both technical and non-technical information that would be suitable for classroom teaching as well as a reference for postgraduate research students.