Halal Supply Chain Management

“Principles in halal purchasing” was chosen as a Highly Commended Paper winner as it is one of the most impressive pieces of work the Emerald team has seen throughout 2013. Purpose – The purpose of this conceptual article is to investigate the application of halal in purchasing. Design/methodology/approach – This article provides a discussion on the implications of halal for the purchasing function, in particular the purchasing portfolio matrix of Kraljic and the purchasing process model of van Weele. Findings – Halal leads to stronger partnerships with suppliers (strategic and leverage products) and adopting various strategies to secure continuity of supply (bottleneck products). Therefore, conventional commodity categories in certain industries can be allocated different for halal certified products and services, resulting in possible different product and supplier strategies. Halal requirements also have impact on the purchasing process; its tactical and operational purchasing activ...

Halal is extending towards logistics. This paper proposes a halal assurance system for transportation, warehousing and terminals as a proof of a halal logistics system. Next to an extensive literature review, focus group sessions have been conducted in Malaysia, the Netherlands and China in identifying halal control activities and assurance activities in logistics business processes. The findings show that product characteristics (bulk versus unitized, ambient versus a cool chain) and market requirements (Muslim versus non-Muslim country) influence the vulnerability of halal supply chains. Vulnerability is reduced through establishing halal control activities and assurance activities in logistics business processes. Vulnerability can be avoided in (parts of) the supply chain by having dedicated logistics infrastructure, like a dedicated halal warehouse and designated transport, or through containerisation at a lower level. The proposed halal assurance system can be an important instrum...