From Application to Certification: Identifying Bottlenecks and Best Practices in the Halal Industry: A Case Study of Four Hotels in Klang Valley, Malaysia
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.36877/jhis.a0000645Abstract
As halal certification becomes a critical competitive asset for hotels targeting Muslim travelers, understanding the efficiency of its acquisition is paramount. Purpose: This research investigates the halal certification process for four hotels in Klang Valley (Hotel A, Hotel B, Hotel C, Hotel D), identifying key inefficiencies, bottlenecks, and best practices. Design/methodology/approach: A comparative case study analysis was conducted using chronological reports of Halal certification applications, evaluating timelines, rejection rates, audit outcomes, and compliance performance. Findings: Certification durations varied widely (162–561 days). The fastest cycle was Hotel A - 1st Additional Menu (162 days), while the slowest was Hotel C - Main Application (561 days). Primary delays were document rejections, audit-scheduling gaps, and post-audit certificate handovers (e.g., 153-day handover lag in Hotel C). Hotel A achieved zero NCs at audit; Hotel B showed rapid resubmission but had a long second additional-menu cycle; Hotel D completed its additional menu in 211 days. These results show that certification outcomes are shaped by both systemic inefficiencies and internal hotel preparedness. Originality/value: Unlike prior research that has focused primarily on food manufacturing and SMEs, this study provides rare empirical evidence from the hospitality sector, offering a comparative cross-case analysis under a unified regulatory framework. Importantly, it emphasizes the underexplored post-audit phase, where delays in certificate issuance significantly extend certification timelines. Theoretical contribution: By connecting empirical results to wider discussions on governance centralization, regulatory stringency, and digital system efficiency, this research advances both theoretical understanding and practical reforms in halal governance. Practical implications: Hotels should institutionalize taskforces, mock audits, and rapid resubmission SOPs. Policymakers should improve MYeHALAL responsiveness, automate audit scheduling, and digitize certificate handovers.
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