The Scale of Muslims’ Consumption Intelligence: A Maqāṣid Insight

Abstract

Purpose — This paper aims to develop a scale for measuring consumer intelligence based on the maqāṣid framework (al-nitāq al-maqāṣidi).

Design/Methodology/Approach — A large pool of items representing consumer intelligence based on maqāṣid al-Sharīʿah (objectives of Islamic law) was generated from one of the primary Islamic sources, i.e., Qurʾānic texts. The initial scale was purified and validated. A survey of 388 respondents who completed a usable questionnaire was used to run the analysis. The latter was split into two. The first half was utilised to run the exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and the second half was used to run the confirmatory factor analysis (CFA).

Findings — The EFA result revealed that the maqāṣid-consumption intelligence scale is a four-dimensional construct consisting of 21 items. The scale includes metacognition, cognition, motivation, and behaviour. The CFA confirmed the dimensionality, reliability and validity of the maqāṣid-consumption intelligence scale.

Originality/Value — There is currently no readily available scale to measure consumption intelligence among Muslims based on maqāṣid al-Sharīʿah. The study is expected to fill this gap.

Research Limitations/Implications — The maqāṣid-consumption intelligence scale can determine an individual’s level of consumption intelligence based on maqāṣid al-Sharīʿah. It is expected that the scale will stimulate further research on Muslim consumption intelligence, i.e., how is the consumption of an ideal Muslim consistent with Sharīʿah (Islamic law) values.

Practical Implications — The maqāṣid-consumption intelligence scale may eventually assist halal industries in formulating strategies to increase product demand.