Juwaidah Sharifuddin

A comparative analysis of global Halal certification requirements

The aim of this study is to compare the various Halal certification bodies around the world based on the criteria for Halal certification. As the process of awarding Halal certificates varies among the certification bodies, it is pertinent to identify the differences between these selected certification bodies to gauge the gap existing among them. This study will also identify the position of JAKIM, which is the main Halal certification body in Malaysia, among the other main certification bodies around the world. Nine categories were identified in awarding Halal certification to companies. Comparative analysis was then used to see the differences that exist between these certification bodies. The results of the analysis indicate that, based on the nine categories identified, JAKIM is the strictest body in awarding Halal certification to companies.

Implementing Green Practices as Sustainable Innovation Among Herbal-Based SME Entrepreneurs

ABSTRACT The need for policies to foster green practices, sustainable environmental management and conservation of biodiversity has been given priority by world leaders. Various factors causing environmental degradation such as global warming, pollution, climate change, deforestation and increasingly threatened biodiversity have triggered awareness among the upstream and downstream players in the manufacturing industry, providing impetus for industries to practice sustainable manufacturing and environmentally friendly management. As a result, consumers are now increasing their demand for products that are made from natural or traditional rather resources, such as herbal based pharmaceutical products, rather than chemical-based products. The sustainability issue not only places pressure on entrepreneurs to move towards green practices, but also to meet the increasing demand for herbal-based products that are produced in a sustainable environment. This article aims to assess herbal based SME entrepreneurs’ intention to adopt green practices in their business activities. Two hundred fifty six (256) herbal based entrepreneurs were interviewed via a structural questionnaire to gather information regarding their perception of green practices and their intention to adopt them. The Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) was used as the theoretical framework to determine the relationships between TPB constructs. Structural equation modeling was used to analyze the information. The results indicate that positive attitudes towards sustainability are being embraced by those who are concerned about the environment and the intention to adopt innovative green practices is realized by their possession of the caring attribute.

Malaysian consumers' willingness-to-pay toward eco-labeled food products in Klang Valley

Food labeling is an important aspect of food law that provides consumers with information about food products, and eco-labeling is one such tool for conveying that information. The products that are produced under environmentally friendly and sustainable practices can qualify to apply for eco-label certification. The purpose of this article is to investigate how much consumers are willing to pay for eco-labeled food products in Malaysia. A survey was conducted in Klang Valley, Malaysia, and 1,115 respondents were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Consumers’ willingness to pay for eco-labeled food products is determined by using contingent valuation method (CVM). Theory of planned behavior (TPB) is chosen for use in this study. Descriptive analysis summarizes the sociodemographic data, and binary logistic model is used to identify consumers’ sociodemographic factors, past experience, and knowledge in predicting the likelihood of willingness to pay for eco-labeled food products. The results indicate that education level, income, age, marital status, household size, attitude, past experience, and knowledge significantly influence consumers’ willingness to pay for eco-labeled food products.

Factors affecting intention to purchase edible bird’s nest products: the case of Malaysian consumers

Malaysia is the second largest producer of edible bird’s nest (EBN) in the world, but it has encountered problems when its main export market, China, imposed a ban on EBN products originating from the country. Edible bird’s nest products are products made of the hardened saliva secretions of swiftlet birds. Purchasing intention of edible bird’s nest products is a vital variable in determining customers’ purchasing behavior for these products. This research explores how attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control can influence the buyer’s intention toward purchasing edible bird’s nest products. A total of 1,361 respondents were interviewed using a structured questionnaire from July to November 2012. Descriptive analysis, factor analysis, and multiple regression were used to analyze the data. Multiple regression analysis shows that attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control are statistically significant predictors of consumer intention toward purchasing edible bird’s nest products.

FACTORS AFFECTING URBAN DWELLERS TO PRACTICE URBAN AGRICULTURE.

Urban farming is becoming an important activity among the urban dwellers in most developing countries. It is not only to ensure full utilization of the available space for agriculture, but also for sustaining the need of food among the urban dwellers. Since the related campaign and concept of urban agriculture are quite new in Malaysia, the objective of this study is to investigate the intention of urban dwellers towards practicing urban agriculture especially among the strata households. A multistage sampling technique involving stratified sampling was used to select the respondents. A face-to-face interview was carried out using structured questionnaires distributed to 400 respondents. The descriptive analysis, factor analysis, and binary logistic analysis were applied to analyze the data. The results of the study show that respondents have positive perceptions on urban agriculture and most of them have intentions to practice urban agriculture in the future. Factor analysis generated four latent factors that prescribe respondents intention to practice urban agriculture. These factors were positive attitude towards urban agriculture concept, confidence in practicing urban agriculture, societal environment and role model influences. A binary logistic analysis model was used to determine the socio demographic characteristics, and the extracted factors from factor analysis influenced the urban dwellers to practice urban agriculture. The results indicate that age, gender, educational level, and household size with the four latent factors mentioned previously were the likely factors that will influence urban dwellers to have intention to practice urban agriculture.

Effects of Export Duty Structure on the Performance of the Malaysian Palm Oil Industry

This study examines the impact of the abatement of the export duty on the Malaysian palm oil industry performance. The simulation results show that the impact of reductions in the export duty rates and the impact of increases in the threshold prices on the Malaysian palm oil industry have the same impact but with different magnitudes. Even the simulated results indicate that the policy of further reductions in the Malaysian export duty will promote its positive effects on the local palm oil industry; however, the impact is shown to not be significant. The further reduction of the export tax is very constrained and believed to no longer be the most effective policy in enhancing the competitiveness of local palm oil industry in the future. Hence, policymakers have to be aware of the possibility that the reduction of the export tax may no longer be an effective sustainable approach in facilitating the development of Malaysian palm oil industry.

A Comparative Assessment of Consumer and Non-Consumer Preference for Beef Cuts Consumption in Malaysia

Malaysia is currently enjoying an economic revival, resulting in a rising per capita income and an increasing urban population. There are consumers whose taste buds have become more accustomed to international cuisines, including meaty Western food, to satisfy their quest for diversity in their new lifestyles. This group of consumers in Malaysia plays an important role in shaping the rising trend in the consumption of meat products, and this changing attitude calls for empirical research to clarify factors shaping it. The results also indicate that there are three factors (attributes of beef cuts, quality and safety, and the variety of Malaysian dishes) that greatly influence the preference for beef consumers toward their consumption of beef cuts. It was also determined that four factors that influenced the preference for non-beef consumers are price of beef cuts, lifestyle, risk associated with beef cuts consumption, taste, and preferences influencing non-beef consumers.

Asymmetric Farm Retail Price Movements in the Malaysian Poultry Market

The relationship between farm, wholesale, and retail prices provides insight into marketing efficiency including the welfare of both consumers and farmers. Investigating the price transmission process at different levels in the marketing channel is crucial in assessing the market efficiency in poultry meat and egg subsectors in Malaysia. Changes in the farm or wholesale price could lead to changes in retail prices asymmetrically and this might distort the poultry and egg markets. This study applied the error correction model of price transmission for the entire poultry meat and egg value chain. The test was carried out using retail and farm monthly price data of poultry meat and eggs from 2000 to 2007. Empirical results suggest that the farm and retail price transmission process for the poultry and egg market is asymmetric. Price transmission estimates with rising farm prices generally are larger than corresponding estimates associated with falling farm prices.