I’m delighted to share insights from my undergraduate dissertation, which earned the prestigious “Best Assignment with Business Partnership” award from Brunel Business School in 2022. My research explored how blockchain technology could revolutionize halal certification processes and enhance business performance for halal enterprises.
In my dissertation, I addressed a critical gap in existing research by investigating: “How can blockchain technology help halal enterprises improve their performance while presenting a validated halal certification?” This question emerged from recognizing that while blockchain applications in supply chain management were being explored, limited research examined its specific impact on business performance for halal enterprises.
To answer this question comprehensively, I employed a mixed-methods approach. I analyzed 108 academic papers through the Scopus database, focusing on keywords including ‘Halal,’ ‘Certification,’ ‘business,’ ‘performance,’ and ‘blockchain.’ I also conducted interviews with key stakeholders in the halal industry, including small and medium enterprises (SMEs), Muslim consumers, and Halal Certification Authorities. This methodology allowed me to bridge theory and practice, providing valuable insights into real-world applications of blockchain in halal certification.
My research identified several challenges faced by different stakeholders in the halal certification process. Enterprises often struggle with a lack of knowledge and skills regarding blockchain technology, high initial implementation costs, and supply chain management difficulties. Consumers face limited access to real-time information about halal products, difficulty verifying the authenticity of halal certification, and trust issues regarding compliance with Islamic requirements. Halal Certification Bodies have limited insight into end-to-end halal supply chain compliance, time-consuming investigation processes when issues arise, and difficulties in monitoring global supply chains.
Implementing blockchain technology can address these challenges through enhanced transparency, increased trust, improved business performance, and better certification processes. Blockchain creates an immutable record of the entire halal supply chain, allowing real-time tracking from farm to fork. Consumers can verify product authenticity and halal compliance through mobile applications linked to blockchain networks. By streamlining certification processes and building consumer trust, halal businesses can increase their market reach and efficiency. Halal Certification Bodies can more efficiently verify compliance and respond to issues with real-time data access.
I’m deeply grateful to Dr. Monomita Nandy for her exceptional guidance throughout this research journey. Her expertise in business technology applications and patient supervision helped me navigate complex interdisciplinary concepts bridging religious compliance, business performance, and cutting-edge technology. Dr. Nandy’s feedback was instrumental in helping me structure my research methodology and develop insightful analyses that connected theoretical concepts with practical applications. Her encouragement to pursue primary research alongside literature review significantly strengthened the real-world relevance of my findings.
My dissertation contributes to both academic understanding and practical implementation in several ways. For businesses, it provides a framework for halal enterprises to understand how blockchain can enhance their performance and address specific operational challenges. For consumers, it demonstrates how technology can empower Muslim consumers with greater transparency and confidence in their food choices. For certification bodies, it offers insights into how technological innovation can streamline certification processes and enhance monitoring capabilities. It also highlights the connection between halal certification, blockchain technology, and sustainability goals.
The integration of blockchain technology in halal certification represents an exciting frontier for innovation. As both Muslim populations and technological capabilities continue to grow, this intersection offers numerous opportunities for further research and practical applications. I’m honored that my work in this area has been recognized by Brunel Business School, and I look forward to seeing how these concepts continue to evolve and shape the future of halal certification and business performance.
How has the evolution of blockchain technology since 2022 transformed the halal certification landscape, and what new opportunities exist for halal enterprises to improve transparency and consumer trust today?
