Title: Halal business and sustainability: strategies, resources and capabilities of halal third-party logistics (3PLs)

Authors: Noorliza Karia; Muhammad Hasmi Abu Hassan Asaari

Addresses: School of Management, Univsersiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, 11800, Malaysia ' School of Distance Education, Univsersiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, 11800, Malaysia

Abstract: A halal business model as enshrined in the Quran emphasises the importance of innovation for a firm's competitive advantage and its sustainability. However, the current state of knowledge about the innovation capability of the halal business model has yet to be studied. This research is a novel attempt to develop a strategic model for a halal business to sustain their operations based on the knowledge of halal business prescribed in the Quran. The interview findings of a case study of halal third party logistics (3PL) providers reveal that they have shown a more proactive improvements in handling halal logistics and accessing halal resources and capabilities which enhance the firms' innovation capabilities. The strategic management of halal business drives a firm's sustainability by maximising benefits to profit, product/service, people, planet and God as well as minimising cost and hardship. Directions for future research and theoretical development are suggested.

Keywords: competitive advantage; halal business model; halal services; halal logistics; innovation capability; halal resources; halal capabilities; business strategies; sustainability; 3PL; third-party logistics; sustainable development; Quran; Islam; strategic management; Islamic law.

DOI: 10.1504/PIE.2016.082143

Progress in Industrial Ecology, An International Journal, 2016 Vol.10 No.2/3, pp.286 - 300

Received: 20 Jan 2016
Accepted: 11 May 2016
Published online: 08 Feb 2017 *

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