Analysis of enterprise risk management practices in Malaysian waqf institutions

• Published in: International journal of Islamic and Middle Eastern finance and management Vol. 15; no. 3; pp. 569 - 585
• Main Authors: Yakob, Rubayah, Bangaan Abdullah, Mohd Hafizuddin-Syah, Yakob, Sajiah, Yakob, Nooraida, Md. Razali, Nurul Hidayah, Mohamad, Hairolanuar
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Bingley Emerald Publishing Limited 06-05-2022; Emerald Group Publishing Limited
• Subjects: Accountability; Best practice; Competition; Competitive advantage; Corporate image; Data reduction; Enterprise risk management; Frequency distribution; Governance; Implementation; Institutions; Interviews; ISO standards; Management committees; Nonprofit organizations; Quality of service; Risk assessment; Risk management; Strategic planning; Sustainability; Sustainability management; Top management; Training; Trends; Verification; Malaysia; Risk management; COSO; Non-profit organisation
• ISSN: 1753-8394; 1753-8408
• DOI: 10.1108/IMEFM-07-2020-0330

Purpose
This study aims to assess enterprise risk management (ERM) practices in waqf institutions (WIs) along with their strengths and weaknesses; highlight ERM trends in WIs; and determine the best ERM practices for these institutions.
Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected via structured interviews with nine WI managers in Malaysia. A standardised questionnaire was adopted for the interviews, which focussed on ERM implementation in WIs. The collected data were analysed in three steps, namely, data reduction, data display and verification/conclusion. The frequency distribution of these data were then illustrated and the mean values and differences of the studied groups/variables were examined.
Findings
WIs have a sub-optimal ERM implementation, whose aspects need to be improved over time. These institutions have focussed on their ERM practices at the strategic level yet ignored those at the operational level. Specifically, WI officers have well-defined internal environments and objectives, but risk monitoring, which ensures effective implementation of ERM, is lacking. The presence of risk management committees and units may be linked with the successful implementation of ERM. However, ERM knowledge and top management support do not show clearly associations with ERM implementation. WIs should focus on improving their ERM implementation governance.
Research limitations/implications
Findings underscore the need for WIs to launch a formal ERM programme and for relevant stakeholders to create the appropriate infrastructures that support ERM implementation, including amended rules, ERM policies and allocated funds for training and education, to promote ERM implementation knowledge and awareness. The successful implementation of ERM not only improves the service quality, sustainability and performance of WIs but also promotes the national waqf agenda as a key economic driver.
Originality/value
ERM in non-profit organisations, such as WIs, has received limited research attention relative to that in profit-driven organisations despite having unique risks. To the best of the knowledge, this study is the first to identify those trends that explain ERM practices and to determine the ERM best practices of WIs.