Exploring the Impact on Islamic Financial Literacy: A Moderating Model Using a Structural Equation Modelling Approach

Keywords: Goal Setting Theory, Islamic financial literacy, Malaysia, Social Learning Theory, Theory of Planned Behaviour, university students

Abstract

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This study examined the factors influencing Intention (IT) toward Islamic financial literacy by integrating three theories. Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) involves several constructs including Attitude (ATT), Subjective Norm (SN), and Perceived Behavioural Control (PBC). Social Learning Theory (SLT) comprises the construct including Observational Knowledge (OK); and Goal Setting Theory (GST) contains the construct including Goal Commitment(GC). This study employs a quantitative approach, using a cross-sectional survey and random sampling to select respondents. Accordingly, 379 respondents from a Malaysian public university were gathered at the end of the study. The construct was analysed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) through SMARTPLS4. The findings of this study revealed that ATT (β = 0.112, p = 0.039), SN (β = 0.144, p = 0.027), PBC (β = 0.278, p < 0.001), and OK (β = 0.124, p = 0.009) significantly influenced students’ IT toward Islamic financial literacy. Additionally, GC moderated the relationship between SN and IT (β = 0.140, p = 0.029). Furthermore, the model explained 60.6% variance when R-squared indicates the value of 0.606, with SRMR being 0.072, and achieved a satisfactory model fit. This study’s finding encourages promoting Islamic financial literacy through educational programmes, social observation, and motivational strategies. Overall, future research should explore SLT or GST as a whole to strengthen Islamic financial literacy.

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References

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Published
2026-05-11
How to Cite
Norizan, Siti Noraisyah, and Nashirah Abu Bakar. 2026. “Exploring the Impact on Islamic Financial Literacy: A Moderating Model Using a Structural Equation Modelling Approach”. Journal of Islamic Thought and Civilization 16 (1), 146-63. https://doi.org/10.32350/jitc.161.09.
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Articles