A Conceptual Framework of Internal Factors for Halal Certification Intention

Abstract

This conceptual paper explores the internal motivational factors that influence global food manufacturers' intentions to obtain halal certification, moving beyond the typical focus on external compliance. Using a theorybuilding approach, this study combines the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) and the Resource-Based View (RBV) to create a new conceptual framework. A thorough review of the existing literature on halal certification, organizational behavior, and strategic management informs the model. The framework highlights four main internal drivers—ethical commitment, perceived business advantage, leadership orientation, and organizational culture—as key predictors of halal certification intention. Additionally, organizational readiness is identified as a critical moderating factor that enhances the connection between these internal motivators and the decision to pursue certification. As a conceptual study, the framework needs empirical testing using quantitative methods, such as large-scale surveys. Future research should validate the proposed ideas and examine contextual factors. The results provide policymakers and certification agencies with valuable insights to develop strategies that tap into firms' intrinsic motivations. For managers, it emphasizes the importance of fostering internal readiness and aligning certification with ethical and strategic organizational goals, rather than viewing it solely as a regulatory obligation. This study offers a significant shift in understanding halal certification as a strategic, value-driven organizational choice. The combination of TPB and RBV offers a fresh theoretical perspective, shifting the discussion from external pressure to internal organizational agency and enriching the field of halal management.