Operational Risk Management, Risk Management Approaches, and Risk Mitigation Techniques: Challenges Faced By Islamic Financial Services

Abstract

The present study discussed and analyzed a number of issues concerning the operational risk faced by Islamic Financial Services, for example concepts of operational risks, risk management approaches and risk mitigation techniques and standards as these exist in the financial industry, unique operational risks of the Islamic Financial Services industry and the perceptions of Islamic Financial Services about these risks, regulatory concerns with respect to operational risks and their management, a nd Shari'ah related challenges concerning risk management has been identified and discussed. This study is an exploratory study therefore, based on the literature review relating to operational risk, risk management approaches and risk mitigation techniques. Guidelines on Stress Testing, issued by State Bank of Pakistan including sensitivity analysis and scenario analysis were also studied. The major part of the data consisting of secondary source was collected through research journals, internet and relevant books. Citation and literature discussion have been the major approach of this study. Banks should aim to develop a framework for operational risk management particularly for collecting operational loss data. In respect of designing operational risk stress tests, key indicators, like human errors, frauds, or failure to perform in timely manner, breaching limits, failure of information technology systems or events such as major fires or other disasters may be identified against the business lines. Shocks may be given to these risk events, their frequency and severity of losses. Once the operational loss events are identified, the level of shocks may be designed by looking into both the historical as well as hypothetical level of losses under those risk events.