JURNAL ECONOMIA
Vol. 22 No. 2 (2026): June 2026

Balancing Financial and Socioemotional Wealth: How Zakat Empowerment Programs Influence Family Business Decisions

Gunawan Baharuddin (Universitas Pancasila)
Bayu Taufik Possumah (Politeknik Wahdah Islamiyah Makassar)
Asmak Ab Rahman (Universiti Malaya)
Hafizah Abdul Rahim (Universiti Malaysia Perlis)
Hareth Zuhair Alshamayleh (Arab Open University)



Article Info

Publish Date
30 Jun 2026

Abstract

This study investigates the relationship between zakat empowerment programs and the balance of financial and socioemotional wealth (SEW) in family-owned businesses. Using survey data from 178 Muslim-owned family businesses across three countries, this study examines how strategic zakat distribution influences business decision-making and performance. Study findings reveal that businesses with formalized zakat empowerment programs demonstrate higher levels of SEW preservation while maintaining comparable financial performance to those with traditional zakat practices. Path analysis indicates that strategic zakat distribution positively mediates the relationship between family values and business sustainability. Furthermore, cluster analysis identifies three distinct approaches to balancing financial and socioemotional wealth through zakat: community-focused, business-integrated, and tradition-oriented. This study contributes to SEW theory and Islamic business ethics by offering empirical evidence on how religious financial obligations can be strategically leveraged to support both socioemotional and financial goals in family firms.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

economia

Publisher

Subject

Economics, Econometrics & Finance

Description

Jurnal Economia (JECO) is published by Faculty of Economics, Yogyakarta State University. It publishes theoretical or research manuscripts related to 1. Economics 2. Accounting 3. Management 4. Business 5. Entrepreneurship, and 6. ...