Bruneian SMEs amid the COVID-19 pandemic: challenges for the Halal food processing industry

Abstract

Purpose Despite the world’s effort in grappling with the coronavirus disease that has affected many sectors globally, knowledge and research on the COVID-19 pandemic as well as on the halal food and beverage industry remain limited, particularly in Brunei Darussalam. Hence, the purpose of this paper is to investigate the challenges that small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the halal food processing industry face amid the COVID-19 pandemic in the sultanate. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative approach based on four semi-structured interviews was employed using a purposive sampling of managers and business owners of the manufacturing SMEs. Several government agencies were also interviewed to further supplement the findings. This paper also uses the support from a review of relevant academic journal articles, and other secondary data including newspapers and websites, to uncover the hindering factors surrounding the phenomenon. Findings Four themes emerged, covering four overarching and inter-related challenges including limited production; closure of retail stores; delay in exporting; and less sales to cover overheads. Research limitations/implications This study positively contributes to the understanding of the challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic has brought into the country as well as adds and enriches the halal research sphere. Several implications for the SMEs, policymakers, as well as academic scholars, and limitations are also discussed. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is among the first to investigate the halal food processing industry in Brunei Darussalam especially, during the time of uncertainties such as the COVID-19 era. The paper’s value also lies in addressing the gap that there is a need to study on the impact of this outbreak on SMEs in the developing countries, inclusive of Brunei Darussalam.

Effect of source credibility and consumer ethnocentrism on halal purchase intentions in the UK: an elaboration likelihood model approach

“…The interaction among individuals on digital media platforms fosters the development of shared values that can impact product judgement (Erkan and Evans, 2018). These shared values are influenced by factors such as source credibility (central route) (Moradi and Zihagh, 2022) and emerging factors like consumer ethnocentrism (peripheral route) (Naseem and Yaprak, 2023), exemplified by the increased emphasis on “supporting local businesses” following the Covid-19 pandemic (Haji Shahlehi et al ., 2023). To address these research enquiries, our objective is to investigate the potential mediating role of Halal product judgement in the relationship between eWOM and Halal product purchase intention.…”