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This study aims to determine client’s attitude explanatory factors for the selection of an Islamic bank at Jordan. Mainly, the study identifies factors shaping client’s attitude toward Islamic banks that are considered in clients' decision choices related to different behavioral theories. Data were randomly collected from Islamic banks clients in Jordan. A questionnaire was developed, distributed, and analyzed via the model of t-test on 138 clients. The results show that clients consider several factors in their choices between religious and non-religious. Essentially, religious factors are principles, absence of interest, religious edict or justification, profit-sharing, and Islamic price basis of banking services. The non-religious related factors were sufficient branches, caring and comfortable, appearance and internal decoration design, fast services, response to their clients’ needs, sufficient number of staff, giving clients the top priorities, clients' needs to include disclosing information as a part of accounting system adequacy. Adequate attention is needed to every client, competitive service prices, and the influence of friends and family. The study concludes that it is not possible to say that religious factors are enough, but the interest-free banking greatly represents the non-religious or the economic factors, and the profit-sharing principle is important; Policymakers must consider this to buildup a positive attitude toward Islamic banks. The findings recommend that religious and non-religious values significantly influence clients’ intentions and choices. It suggests that religious ethics is the most important factor, and the availability of information systems disclosing clients' needs.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is twofold: first, to estimate the water demand elasticities using a parametric linear programming (LP) model to provide an insight into the accurate and flexible pricing policy of irrigation water in the Jordan Valley; and second, to highlight key risk aspects, related to water demand, which are likely to impact the community. Design/methodology/approach A parametric LP model was used in this research. Primary and secondary data were collected. Findings Results revealed that the demand elasticity is high in Spring and Summer than in Fall and Winter, meaning that during Spring and Summer farmers are willing to forgo larger amounts of water than in other months. This is because of areas planted during Spring seasons are much less than those of Autumn and Winter. Practical implications The Jordan Valley suffers from water scarcity risk, and consequently the area to be planted is not fully utilized, leading to lower cropping intensities. Responsible authorities in Jordan need to address these issues and propose proper solutions in order to reduce further escalation of this risk and subsequent impact on local communities. Insight into the value of water demand elasticities is essential to support and mitigate policy decision making under risk conditions, concerning investments in water supply systems; investments in the water distribution and irrigation systems; efficient allocation of water with competing sectors; setting water pricing and tariffs; setting cost recovery mechanisms, and the risks encountered under lack of mitigated policy decision making. Originality/value This is one of few studies that addresses in detail using a parametric LP model the issue of water scarcity, related risks and subsequent impact on society in Jordan. It is expected to help policy and decision makers better formulate future estimates and demand which subsequently reduce related risks.

PurposeThis paper aims to investigate Jordan’s framework specifics of the anti-money laundering (AML) policy and factors related to the Central Bank instructions on money laundering.Design/methodology/approachA questionnaire has been distributed to a random data sample of 100 branch bank managers and supervisors who have a sufficient experience in this issue, and at-test statistical technique has been used.FindingsThe results revealed that commercial banks of Jordan are committed to the instruction of the central bank, and they are highly qualified in all investigated measures.Practical implicationsThis study supports the Central Bank of Jordan’s efforts in combating money laundering, which encourage all commercial banks of one country to follow the same adopted regulations to identify and report transactions of suspicious behaviour: investigate capability of the tellers and customer account representatives to report such activities, use AML software, filter customer’s data classify available information according to levels of suspicion or based on the uncertain customers without being subject to the institutional secrecy jurisdiction and to work under cooperative management.Originality/valueIt has been recommended to utilize more advanced technology, intensify training and ensure for more knowing clients’ knowledge. The importance of this paper is to insure the following: first, the banking system is obliged to recognize and report suspicious money laundering transactions, regarding up to date the FATFA equivalence status of other countries; second, increase the awareness and ensure the central bank efforts’ success; third, assure the adequacy of different issues such as the internal control system tools; devices or tools availability; and sufficient employees’ qualifications in facing launderers attempts; fourth, to be sure that suspected transactions are checked against any commercial bank records; finally, to be sure that commercial banks are giving enough considerations to all the AML proactive actions such as the regulations of checking while opening an account, accepting money on deposit, giving loans, issuing a debit card, traveller’s check and collecting enough information about new clients.

This study aims to investigate the impact of intangible assets internally generated (development costs, and patents) in the market value of pharmaceutical companies in Jordan. The study population of financial employees (Auditors, analysts, accountants) working in six Jordanian pharmaceutical companies, the sample was chosen randomly consisted of 62 financials. The study data were collected through the development of a questionnaire. The results showed that investment in intangible assets strongly affect maximize the market value of Jordanian pharmaceutical companies .It has also shown to maintain the confidentiality of information of manufacturing of patents to conserve the competitive position of the pharmaceutical companies for a long time. The study supports the success of the Jordanian pharmaceutical companies to maximize their competitiveness through development costs and patents.

This study adds on prior studies that have examined SOX 404 effect on external audit fees, internal controls and financial restatements. The paper examined the outcomes of Dodd–Frank Act that have exempted non-accelerated filers from SOX 404 (B). Where through this paper it has been assumed that this Act has decreased SOX 404 compliance costs on non-accelerated filers, and it also suggested that this Act did not have any negative effects on the effectiveness of the internal controls forthese companies. After performing a correlation analysis on this assumption the results turned out to be consistent with what was previously assumed. Where the correlation results indicated that external audit fees for non-accelerated filers had declined, and the internal controls deficiencies count showed a constant declining trend. The paper examined also the extent to which investor’s confidence has been enhanced through the implementation of SOX 404. The assumption that was assumed in this paper was that; when a restatement is announced the amount of demand on that company’s share will decline resulting in a decrease in the share price. The results of the correlation analysis that was performed on this assumption showed that after implementing SOX 404 the financial restatements announcements stopped to have the same negative effect on share prices, in relation to the before implementation period. The finding that led to the conclusion that SOX 404 has successfully enhanced investors’ confidence.