USING ADULT LEARNING TO DEVELOP AN ISLAMIC CORPORATE CULTURE: A SIMULATION WITH IIUM MANAGEMENT STUDENTS

Abstract

This study shows how adult learning can be used to build an Islamic corporate culture. This was done by conducting a simulation with 55 International Islamic University Malaysia management students. The model assumes that Muslim leaders use conventional management practices to deal with current and future problems. Additionally, Muslim leaders must build a corporate culture that reflects the Qur’an and the Sunnah. This is done by applying the principles of adult learning. In this simulation, 55 participants explored surah an-Nisa. They compared their experience with the traditional usrah system. 87% found that reflecting on the Qur’an in groups was more effective. They also compared their experience of reflecting on the Qur’an as a group and reflecting on the Qur’an individually. 85% preferred reflecting in a group. The implications of these findings are discussed.