Purpose Inter-organizational trust has a vital role in any external trade relationship. However, there are not many studies relating to growth strategies and inter-organizational trust in firms in emerging markets. The purpose of this paper is to identify and compare the effect of external growth strategies on the organizational performance of companies and to examine the mediating role of inter-organizational trust between growth strategies and organizational performance. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected from 240 senior managers from public listed companies (PLCs) in Malaysia and were analyzed using analysis of a moment structures. Findings The findings indicate that growth strategies have a significant effect on organizational performance. Strategic alliances and acquisitions also have significant effects on organizational performance. Moreover, inter-organizational trust fully mediates the effect of growth strategies on organizational performance. Research limitations/implications As purposive sampling was used, selecting only managers with experience of the issues concerned, any common findings are likely to be generalizable to managers in similar situations. Practical implications Building inter-organizational trust among companies and relying on strategic alliance and acquisition, rather than merger, will sharpen their competitiveness and enable them to survive and thrive. Social implications The increase in organizational performance of PLCs will have a significant effect on employment and on gross domestic product (GDP), which will have a beneficial effect on citizens. Originality/value Studies that are related to these variables in emerging economies are still in their infancy. This study compared the effect of external growth strategies and contributed to the literature in the area of trust and external growth strategies.

The Global Islamic Economy Indicator recognizes Malaysia as a global leader of the Islamic/Halal economy. Malaysia is also expanding its Islamic Economy and Business Ecosystem. Accordingly, the Ministry of Entrepreneur Development (MED) in Malaysia aims to produce a million small and medium enterprise (SME) entrepreneurs in 2019-2023. However, the Global Innovation Index in 2018 and 2019 ranked Malaysia in the 35th place globally, behind top Asian innovators like Singapore, South Korea, and Japan. This raises an important question: How can Malaysia foster its entrepreneurial economy using its advantageous position in the Halal industry? Malaysia must act now to prepare for a future led by innovation and technology. The country can use the Halal Entrepreneurship Success Scale to foster sustainable innovation and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Measuring the success of Halal entrepreneurs in Malaysia can help it to achieve the SDGs. The religious background of Halal entrepreneurs motivates them to contribute positively to their society and environment. Halal entrepreneurship can be a driver of transformation that can help attain and deliver the SDGs while promoting sustainable economic growth. The findings of this paper can be useful to policy makers, regulators, practitioners, and academics.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine how Halal entrepreneurs perceive success and accordingly develop a novel scale to measure Halal entrepreneurship success. Design/methodology/approach A sequential mixed methodology was used to develop the Halal entrepreneurship success scale (HESS). The qualitative phase began with a literature review to gain insights into (Halal) entrepreneurship success and identify gaps. Ten respondents were then interviewed to understand how they perceive success. The scale items were then generated based on insights from the literature and the interview findings. The quantitative phase was carried out in two cycles. In the first cycle, a questionnaire was developed and pilot data were collected from a representative sample of 100 respondents. In the second cycle, the revised scale was tested on 300 respondents to confirm its final items and dimensions. Exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis were used in the quantitative phase. Findings The final HESS scale contains 24 items divided into four dimensions: Islamic success (seven items), economic success (six items), social success (five items) and environmental success (six items). Originality/value This scale is perhaps the first to measure entrepreneurial success in its association with religion. It is expected to be a useful contribution to entrepreneurship theory and the Halal industry. The paper presents a foundation for future works on how to define the measures of success of Halal entrepreneurs.

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