Donor's Sense of Agency and Religious Giving Behavior: A Survey of Young Muslim Worshipers in Coastal Kenya

Abstract

Although research shows that philanthropic intermediaries can reach more donors and raise more funds, donors' perception of control over the distribution of their donations may decrease in an intermediated environment, leading to lower than expected donations. This study aims to augment the scant literature on the moderating effect of donors' sense of agency on Islamic religious giving behavior. Using a quantitative research design, a balanced sample of 300 Muslim worshipers in coastal Kenya aged 18 to 25 was selected using stratified sampling technique and surveyed using an online questionnaire. PLS-SEM and regression statistical data analysis was conducted using SmartPLS 4 statistical package. The study finds significant positive relationships between the independent variables (intention, socialization and trust) and the dependent variable (religious giving behavior). Additionally, donors' sense of agency moderates the all the above relationships. This suggests that providing donors with options over the distribution of their donations may increase their donors’ sense of agency and consequently increase religious giving. Nonetheless, the young research population, quantitative research methodology, lack of preexisting sampling frame, and limited geographical scope are some limitations that provide directions for future research. The study recommends researching populations with higher disposable income and a preexisting sampling frame (such as customers of Islamic financial institutions), using mixed methods design, and expanding the geographical scope.