Mohamed Syazwan Ab Talib

Halal logistics in Malaysia: a SWOT analysis

Purpose – The purpose of this strengths or weaknesses, and its external opportunities or threats (SWOT) analysis study on Halal logistics industry in Malaysia is to identify SWOT in the Halal logistics environment and to uncover strategies to leverage on the strengths and opportunities and rectifying the weaknesses as well as overcoming the threats. Design/methodology/approach – This study comprises two methods: literature review and interviews. Extensive literature reviews were obtained from leading databases and the articles recorded matches or related with the keywords. In addition, the respondents from the interviews consist of middle- and top-level managers with reputable knowledge, expertise and experience in the Logistics and Halal industry. After the literature was reviewed and information was transcribed from the interviews, reduction techniques were used to group and summarize the variables into the four SWOT categories. Findings – The SWOT categories, consisting of SWOT, are generated from the ...

Halal supply chain critical success factors: a literature review

Purpose – The aim of this study is to discover the critical success factors (CSFs) for the Halal supply chain management because this area is gaining recognition. Plus, the aim is to use the CSFs for future research. Design/methodology/approach – The study is based on the application of CSFs on the Halal supply chain. A comprehensive literature review is undertaken to discover the CSFs of conventional supply chain and to apply it to the Halal supply chain. Findings – Government support, transportation planning, information technology, human resource management, collaborative relationship, Halal certification and Halal traceability are the CSFs for the Halal supply chain. Research limitations/implications – This study only discusses the CSFs related to the Halal supply chain and ignoring other forms of Halal businesses. This study only concerns on English literatures and omit other languages. The study lacks empirical evidence and future research should be done to test the CSFs relevancy. Practical implica...

Motivations and limitations in implementing halal food certification: A pareto analysis

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to review, analyse, and synthesise the motivation and limitation factors in implementing Halal food certification. Design/methodology/approach – A systematic online library search gathered 50 recent journal articles between the years 2004 and 2014. After common motivation and limitation factors were identified and reviewed, a Pareto analysis was performed. This is done to prioritise the motivation and limitation factors and ultimately revealed the major factors that influence the implementation of Halal food certification. Findings – A total of 36 motivation and 37 limitation factors were identified. Through Pareto analysis, 15 motivation factors accounted for 80.07 per cent and 20 limitation factors are responsible for 79.65 per cent. These factors are considered the major factors in implementing Halal food certification. Practical implications – For academicians, this study provides the most recent review of food safety and quality certification literature and the ...

Emerging Halal food market: an Institutional Theory of Halal certificate implementation

Purpose The emergence of the Halal food market as one of the largest consumer food markets has encouraged firms to implement Halal food certification. However, the theoretical gap in Halal studies and the unequal focus of Halal food certification research prove the deficiency of theoretical development and understanding. Hence, this paper aims to ascertain the theoretical background of Halal food certificate implementation. Design/methodology/approach The paper reviews and synthesises literature focusing on Halal certification, food certification and the Institutional Theory factors that could potentially explain the impetus of Halal food certificate implementation. Findings The Institutional Theory offers a suitable explanation that grounds the motivation to implement Halal food certification. The highly institutionalised Halal industry comprising government regulations, Muslim demands for Halal foods and intense industry competition instigate Halal food certificate implementation. Three propositions are presented and a conceptual model is developed. Research limitations/implications The notions of this paper are based on the institutional perspective, i.e. the external motivation factors. An alternative view on a management theory that explains the internal motivation factors would provide a more comprehensive interpretation of reasons to implement Halal food certification. Nevertheless, the Institutional Theory offers strong understandings behind the motivation to implement Halal food certification. Practical implications Discussions and propositions from this paper could contribute to theory formation that is unique to Halal or Muslim food certification. This paper could also provide a sense of direction for researchers in mapping out future research undertakings. Originality/value The paper presents a valuable understanding of the dynamic of the Institutional Theory in the field of Halal food certification. It is the first attempt that considers the institutional isomorphism of government decree, consumer demand and inter-firm competition as motivation factors of Halal food certificate implementation.

Critical success factors of supply chain management: a literature survey and Pareto analysis

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is three pronged. First, to review the existing critical success factors (CSF) literature in the context of supply chain management (SCM). Second, to analyze the occurrence frequency of every possible CSF in SCM literature. Third, to identify the “vital few” and the “useful many” CSF that are harmonized across the SCM field. Design/methodology/approach – A time-specific and term-sensitive literature review technique is undertaken to generate a list of possible CSF in SCM. The review yielded 55 papers, but only 26 empirical CSF papers were selected for analysis as the reliability and validity of the factors had been rigorously tested. Consequently, a Pareto analysis approach was applied to trace the CSF frequency of occurrence in SCM literature. By performing a Pareto analysis, this present study is able to identify and categorize the “vital few” and “useful many” CSF that are consistent throughout various fields of SCM. The review and results are tabulated and a Pareto ...

Can halal certification influence logistics performance

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to establish the halal certification–logistics performance relationship by means of developing a theoretical model and to suggest areas for future research undertakings. The relationship between various forms of certification and logistics performance has been reported in many logistics literature. However, there is paucity in research concerning the relationship between halal certification and logistics performance. Design/methodology/approach The literature representing the concept of halal, halal logistics, institutional support and logistics performance are synthesised to develop a framework. Two distinguished management theories, namely, the resource-based view (RBV) and institutional theory, set the foundation of the proposed theoretical framework. Findings The paper suggests that proper application of resources, in this case halal certification, could positively influence logistics performance. The paper asserts that governmental factors act as the moderator between the halal certification–logistics performance relationship, or could directly influence logistics performance. Research limitations/implications The paper presents a synthesis of previously unconnected variables of halal certification and logistics performance, and integrates the RBV and institutional theories as the basis for a theoretical framework. However, the proposed theoretical framework requires further validation through the supports of additional empirical research. Practical implications Apart from implementing halal certification as a tool to gain business legitimacy, the paper offers insights to logistics service provider as to how halal certification can be used as a mechanism to improve organisational performance, particularly logistics performance. Originality/value This paper is one of the first to establish the relation between halal certification and logistics performance and highlights the prominent role of government support as an independent and moderating factor. It constitutes a preliminary argument that entices research within the halal certification and halal logistics spectrum.

Barriers to Halal logistics operation: views from Malaysian logistics experts

There is a growing demand for Halal-certified logistics service, but the supply of such logistics service is limited. This study asserts that there is a potential area for research, and argue that logistics service providers (LSP) are resistant to adopt Halal logistics operation. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to determine the barriers in adopting Halal logistics operation. Additionally, this study tries to highlight the core reasons behind the barrier to Halal logistics operation. This study fills in the gap exist between insufficient supply of Halal LSP and the rising demand for Halal logistics. Semistructured interview technique is used to gather information from four Halal LSP in Malaysia. The respondents are identified from purposive judgement sampling. Four major barriers to Halal logistics operation are identified, and there are four core reasons behind these barriers. This study appraised and contributed to the growing knowledge of Halal and Halal logistics. Research limitations are highlighted and future research agendas are proposed.

Motivations and benefits of halal food safety certification

Purpose This paper aims to review the motivation and benefits of implementing halal food safety certification (HFSC) from the upstream perspectives. Food safety certification (FSC) has long been a prevailing issue in the field of food safety research. However, there remains a general paucity of research in religion-specific form of FSC, such as the HFSC. At present, the limited existing studies on HFSC focus on the demand side, but studies on the supply side are scarce and largely inconclusive. The review is further scrutinised by addressing the internal and external motivations and benefits of HFSC. Design/methodology/approach The explanatory and general review of this paper is based on an extensive literature review in FSC as well as the author’s personal reflections on past research in halal certification. Findings The internal motivations concern a firm’s internal processes, people and the available resources, while the external motivations relate to a firm’s external elements such as government intervention and market pressure. A firm can reap the internal benefits, such as improved product quality, or enjoy the external benefits of better marketing and larger market shares. Originality/value The paper offers unique acumens and advances of a less-researched side of the halal food chain. It also compiles the conclusions of FSC research that could have a significant bearing on the internal and external impetuses and advantages of HFSC.

Linking Halal food certification and business performance

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between Halal food certification (HFC) and business performance. This study argues that Halal food certificate implementation positively influences business performance. Design/methodology/approach A total of 210 Halal certified food manufacturing companies in Malaysia participated in the study. Data were gathered through a structured questionnaire and were analysed using partial least squares structural equation modelling technique. Findings The study proved that HFC has a positive relationship with operational performance. Additionally, operational performance mediates the relationship between HFC and financial performance. Altogether, this signifies that Halal food certificate implementation positively influences business performance. Practical implications By linking HFC and business performance, managers may be aware of the significant role of HFC in influencing operational and financial performance. It would entice more food companies to become Halal certified that opens up an opportunity to a lucrative Halal food industry. It also empirically justifies that a religion-based food certification has the ability to influence business performance, consistent with other established food standards such as ISO 22000 or HACCP. Originality/value Although numerous studies have concentrated on well-established food certifications, the expanding Muslim population, rising demand for Halal food, and lucrative Halal food market have raised the attention on HFC research among academicians and practitioners. This research is able to highlight the importance of implementing HFC among food companies as it could potentially lead to superior business outcomes.