Improvement of Halal executive positions in the Halal certification process towards career growth in food industries in Malaysia and Australia
The establishment of a Halal Executive position in the food industry is one of the specific requirements of Halal certification. Due to this circumstance, most Halal food industry entities have begun to create such positions. However, the existing literature demonstrates limited research in understanding the position of Halal Executive in
general. Moreover, the current task scenario of Halal Executives in the food industry indicated that it is restricted to implementation processes, neglecting autocratic elements of decision-making capacity. Hence, substantial Halal-related decisions are seen to be occasionally compromised. As this is a Halal certification compliance-based position, it illustrates ambiguity to their future career growth towards critical positions in the industry, a glass ceiling position without future potential. Thus, this study aimed to deeply understand Halal Executive positions’ current state of affairs and discover the potential career growth of Halal Executive positions and how they could be improved to become critical positions in the industry. The study exercised the qualitative method and collected the data through in-depth interview sessions among Halal Executives in the food industry in Malaysia and Australia. The study also analysed official Halal certification documents established by the Malaysian and Australian governments. The study found that the challenges Halal Executives face in the workplace are derived from the unavailability of decision-making ability and the ambiguity of career growth. The study recommended several proactive measures to improve these positions such as providing a career structure, revisiting national Halal policies and updating Halal modules provided by higher institutions and training providers. Most importantly, it provided an in-depth understanding of Halal Executives’ position, filling the literature gap on Halal food management in the realm of Human Resource Management, Halal Industry Management and Food Management in the food industry. A framework of guidelines for future career growth of Halal executives has been established to guide Halal food industry players, policymakers, and other relevant stakeholders.
History
Year awarded
2025Thesis category
- Doctoral Degree
Degree
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)Supervisors
Taiwo Akanbi, University of Newcastle Muhammad Shahrim Abd Karim, Universiti Putra Malaysia Elise (Eun Kyung) Lee, Yonsei University Mohamad Siti Fatimah, Universiti Putra Malaysia Ungku Fatimah Ungku Zainal Abidin, Universiti Putra Malaysia Mohd Mursyid Arshad, Universiti Putra MalaysiaLanguage
- en, English
College/Research Centre
College of Engineering, Science & EnvironmentSchool
School of Environmental and Life SciencesOpen access
- Open Access