There has been a noticeable increase in the number of research projects and post-graduate doctoral (PhD) theses across increasingly wider fields related to the Halal sector.
In this burgeoning industry, PhD theses are often the catalysts for new thinking or the inspiration for new product development.
In collaboration with WHS partners at the Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), the final Academics Forum session of the World Halal Summit (WHS 2015) held here at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre showcased the current doctoral theses and research projects being done at the universities across Malaysia, as well as in the region.
Papers ranged from science-based methods to quantitative studies were a clear indication of the enormous potential for growth and expansion within the Halal sectors.
The session started off with Kunthia Salae from Chulalongkorn University, Thailand, who presented a research on “Classification Of Plant And Animal-Based Glycerin By Using ATR-FTIR: A Rapid Screening Tool Applicable For Halal Cosmetics”.
Out of the 14 papers, three were Halal tourism oriented, indicating the rapidly building interest and focus within this area. All three papers were geared towards researching the concept of Syariah-compliant hotels or “dry” hotels (i.e. alcoholic beverages not served on premise).
Norain Othman from Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) presented a paper on “Comparative Study of Islamic Quality Standard for Hotel in Malaysia and Indonesia”; while Nik Rozilaini Wan Mohamed from UiTM Melaka presented a paper on “Tourists’ Satisfaction on the Products and Services in Dry and Shariah Compliant Hotel: A Case Study in Hotel Industry in Selangor”.
Dr Rohana Kamaruddin from UITM meanwhile, presented a paper on “Converting to Shariah Compliance Hotel: Can it be Done? – A Case Study: PNB Darby Park Hotel”.
In the business aspect, Dr Asbi Ali from Management and Science University, Malaysia (MSU) presented a paper on “MIM: Muslim Industrialists & Manufacturers – Introducing a New Way to Conduct Muslims-to-Muslims Businesses for the Global Halal Industry” that proposed an alternate logo to certify a business owned by a Muslim.
Noryati Ahmad from the Arshad Ayub Graduate Business School, Universiti Teknologi MARA presented a paper on “Ownership Structure and Diversification on Firm Value: A Comparison between Shariah and Non-Syariah Compliant REITs Companies”.
There was also some focus on food, when Mohamed Syazwan Ab Talib from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia presented his ongoing doctoral research on “Conceptualising the Implementation of Halal Food Certification: An Institutional Theory Perspective” paper.
Masturah Ma’in and Wani Najibah Ibrahim from UiTM meanwhile, focused on “Determinants of Intellectual Capital Disclosure: Evidence from Syariah Listed Companies”. To assist in sustaining a safe, hygienic and quality food supply chain, Ahmad Rusydi Razak from UiTM presented a paper on “Halal Food Services Management Priority (HFMP) using Multi Criteria Decision Making (MCDM)”.
Intersecting food services and logistics was a study on Halal logistics, where Sariwati Shariff from UiTM presented findings from “Halal Logistics Operations in MS2400 Standards: A Literary Review”.
Not just limited to traditional Halal spheres, there was also a focus on marketing and consumer behaviour, with presentations by Nor Hashima Hashim, UITM on her research “Revisit Intention of Generation Y Muslim Customers to A Shopping Mall: Between Male and Female Customers”, as well as Abaidullah Mustaffa from UUM on “Understanding the Abstract and Psychological Concepts of Brand Loyalty for Halal Market Industry”.
Also include was a paper on regression and statistical analysis by Muhammad Abdul Adib Abd Aziz entitled “The Influence of Theory of Planned Behavior, Religion and Halal Certification on Consumers’ Purchase Intention of Halal Food at Restaurant in Subang Jaya”.
Zurina Ismail’s “Regaining Consumer Trust Over Halal Certification Authority” and a paper by Masturah Ma’in and Wani Najibah Ibrahim entitled “Factorial Validation and Measurement Model of Attitude and Intention Towards Adoption of Islamic Financing Among Non-User” made up the entire list of PhD theses on Halal.
