TAWAP-i — Research summary
Beyond Rules: Understanding Workplace Ethics Through Islamic Values

PROJECT TITLE
Development and Test of TASAWWUR-Based Employee Ethical Preference Index
(TAWAP-i) for Madani Work Performance in Malaysia

IERIF-funded research / i-RISE / Equitable Economy

INSIGHTS
The study developed and tested the Tasawwur-Based Employee Ethical
Preference Index (TAWAP-i), drawing on Tasawwur principles and the
objectives of Maqasid al-Shariah. It examined ethical preferences among
employees across five Malaysian public universities and identified
10 dimensions contributing to the index.

TOP THREE DIMENSIONS
1. Jazaa — Consequences in this world and the hereafter.
   Index score: 0.470. Mean score: 4.699.
2. Religious satisfaction — Fulfilment associated with religious values.
   Index score: 0.470. Mean score: 4.695.
3. Piety — Personal religious commitment.
   Index score: 0.469. Mean score: 4.686.

Index scores represent mean values, not percentages. The mean scores
indicate the ranking of the key factors.

REFLECTIONS
The findings invite reflection on spiritual values alongside organisational
factors in workplace ethics. Seeing work as an act of ibadah (worship)
may deepen a sense of responsibility to do what is right.

ADVANCING MASLAHAH
TAWAP-i offers a potential framework for understanding employees' ethical
preferences. Its findings could inform employee training, ethical leadership
and policies that reinforce accountability, transparency, justice and
trustworthiness alongside spiritual values. Further research is needed
to validate the index across different workplace settings and establish
its application.

The research aligns with Ekonomi MADANI and supports SDG 8 (Decent Work
and Economic Growth) and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions).

RESEARCH TEAM
Principal Researcher: Prof. Dr. Hanudin Amin — Universiti Malaysia Sabah.
Co-Researcher: Dr. Imran M. Shaikh — Universiti Malaysia Sabah.
Co-Researcher: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dzuljastri Abdul Razak — International
Islamic University Malaysia.
Co-Researcher: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mohd Zulkifli Muhammad — Universiti
Malaysia Kelantan.
Industrial Collaborator: Dr. Putera Aliif Al’Ain Jasni — Majlis Ugama
Islam Sabah.

For the full report and policy brief, contact i-RISE:
https://i-rise.my/index.html#contact

Project page:
https://i-rise.my/tasawwur-ethical-preference-index.html