SYNTHESISING QUANTITATIVE APPROACHES TO CONDITIONAL CASH TRANSFER IMPACT EVALUATION: IMPLICATIONS FOR THE DESIGN OF ZAKAT DISTRIBUTION PROGRAMMES

SINTESIS METODOLOGI KUANTITATIF PENILAIAN IMPAK BANTUAN TUNAI BERSYARAT SERTA IMPLIKASINYA TERHADAP REKA BENTUK PROGRAM AGIHAN ZAKAT

Abstract

Despite the widespread adoption of Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) programmes in poverty alleviation initiatives, existing research has primarily focused on impact evaluation rather than the development and validation of behaviour conditionality as a measurable construct. This represents a significant gap, particularly in the context of zakat distribution, where CCT mechanisms remain largely underdeveloped. Therefore, this study examines the quantitative methodological approaches employed in CCT evaluations and identifies methodological gaps relevant to the development of a zakat-based CCT instrument. A systematic literature review was conducted using the Scopus and Web of Science databases, covering empirical studies published between 2018 and 2025. A total of 46 studies were analysed, with particular attention given to quantitative designs such as randomized controlled trials (RCTs), difference-in-differences (DiD), and propensity score matching (PSM). The findings reveal that most studies relied on causal inference techniques to estimate programme impacts through comparisons between beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries or by examining changes over time. However, the measurement and validation of behaviour conditionality received limited attention, highlighting a critical methodological gap in the literature. To address this limitation, the study proposes Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) as an appropriate approach for construct validation prior to programme implementation. This study contributes to the literature by shifting the methodological focus from outcome evaluation to construct development in CCT programmes within the context of zakat distribution. It further emphasises the need for theory-driven and empirically validated behaviour conditionality instruments to strengthen programme design and effectiveness. The findings provide practical guidance for zakat institutions and policymakers on the importance of developing structured CCT instruments to address poverty among asnaf populations. Overall, this study identifies a critical methodological gap and establishes a systematic foundation for the future development and evaluation of CCT programmes in zakat distribution.

Abstrak

Sungguhpun program Bantuan Tunai Bersyarat (Conditional Cash Transfer, CCT) digunakan secara meluas dalam program pembasmian kemiskinan, kajian sedia ada lebih menumpukan kepada penilaian impak berbanding pembangunan dan pengesahan syarat tingkah laku (behaviour conditionality) sebagai konstruk yang boleh diukur. Ia merupakan jurang yang amat signifikan dalam konteks agihan zakat di mana mekanisme CCT masih belum dibangunkan secara langsung. Justeru, kajian ini meneliti pendekatan metodologi kuantitatif yang digunakan dalam penilaian CCT serta mengenal pasti jurang metodologi yang relevan untuk pembangunan instrumen CCT berasaskan zakat. Kajian ini menggunakan pendekatan tinjauan sistematik berdasarkan pangkalan data Scopus dan Web of Science, melibatkan kajian empirikal yang diterbitkan bagi tempoh 2018 hingga 2025. Sebanyak 46 kajian dianalisis, dengan penekanan kepada reka bentuk kuantitatif seperti percubaan terkawal rawak (randomized controlled trials, RCT), perbezaan dalam perbezaan (difference-in-differences, DiD), dan padanan skor kecenderungan (propensity score matching, PSM). Dapatan menunjukkan bahawa kebanyakan kajian menggunakan kaedah inferens kausal bagi menganggarkan impak program melalui perbandingan antara penerima dan bukan penerima atau melalui analisis perubahan merentas masa. Walau bagaimanapun, aspek pengukuran dan pengesahan syarat tingkah laku masih kurang dibangunkan sekali gus menunjukkan kewujudan jurang metodologi yang kritikal. Kajian ini turut mencadangkan penggunaan Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) sebagai pendekatan yang sesuai untuk pengesahan konstruk sebelum pelaksanaan program. Kajian ini menyumbang kepada literatur dengan mengalihkan fokus metodologi daripada penilaian hasil kepada pembangunan konstruk bagi program CCT dalam pengagihan zakat serta menekankan keperluan kerangka instrumen syarat tingkah laku yang berasaskan teori dan disahkan secara empirikal. Selain itu, kajian ini memberikan panduan kepada institusi zakat dan pembuat dasar mengenai kepentingan pembangunan instrumen CCT bagi menyelesaikan masalah kemiskinan asnaf. Secara keseluruhan, kajian ini mengenal pasti jurang metodologi yang kritikal dan menyediakan asas yang sistematik bagi pembangunan serta penilaian masa hadapan program CCT dalam pengagihan zakat.