قياس الوعي السلوكي في تبني التمويل الإسلامي للمشاريع صغرى والصغيرة والمتوسطة في طاجيكستان

Abstract

This study aims to measure the behavioral intention to adopt Islamic microfinance among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Tajikistan. The research problem arises from the lack of behavioral awareness towards Islamic finance, compounded by the scarcity of studies and data on the subject, which hinders the broader adoption of this type of financing. The research employed a mixed-methods approach, collecting quantitative data through surveys to assess awareness and behavioral intention, in addition to qualitative data analysis from official documents. The quantitative analysis revealed that four key factors significantly influence the behavioral intention to adopt Islamic microfinance: trust in Islamic financial institutions, financial decision control, financial knowledge, and income level. The impact of trust in financial institutions was particularly strong, with results showing that individuals and businesses with higher trust in these institutions were more inclined to adopt Islamic finance. Moreover, financial decision control played an important role, as business owners who felt they had greater independence in financial decision-making were more likely to adopt Islamic financial services, which offered them better control over their financial resources. The study also found that financial literacy is a critical factor in adopting Islamic finance. Individuals and businesses with higher levels of financial knowledge were more willing to adopt this type of finance. Conversely, income level was a significant determinant, with lower- and middle-income earners being more likely to adopt Islamic microfinance compared to higher-income earners. In terms of document analysis, official reports highlighted the importance of Islamic microfinance as a tool for enhancing financial inclusion in Tajikistan, particularly for SMEs, which constitute a large part of the national economy. The documents also demonstrated that financial technology played a pivotal role in facilitating access to finance, which bolstered businesses' ability to remain resilient during challenging times. The study recommends strengthening financial education programs to raise awareness of Islamic finance, with a focus on developing flexible and innovative financial products that meet the needs of SMEs. It also suggests increasing cooperation between the government and financial institutions to develop digital infrastructure and expand the reach of Islamic financial services in remote areas, ensuring equitable and inclusive access to these services.