Organizational and institutional challenges to halal compliance readiness: A systematic review

Abstract

Despite growing awareness and institutional support for halal certification, organizations continue to encounter challenges in achieving sustained compliance. Existing studies have largely examined individual determinants and certification outcomes, offering limited understanding of how organizational and institutional conditions shape compliance readiness. This study systematically reviews empirical halal compliance research published between 2020 and November 2024. Based on the PRISMA 2020 guidelines, relevant articles were retrieved from Scopus and Web of Science, with 21 studies retained following screening and quality appraisal using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. A thematic synthesis supported by NVivo identified five interconnected themes: knowledge and awareness, regulatory frameworks, organizational capacity, supply chain complexity, and consumer and market dynamics. The synthesis indicates that awareness and willingness alone do not ensure organizational readiness, as the translation of halal requirements into practice depends on regulatory clarity, internal capacity, supply chain coordination, and responsiveness to market pressures. These challenges are particularly relevant to resource-constrained enterprises. The review advances a readiness-oriented perspective that conceptualises halal compliance as an organizational capability extending beyond certification attainment. It recommends that institutional interventions move beyond awareness programmes towards targeted capability development, accessible regulatory guidance, operational support, and improved supply chain coordination. Future research should examine how these interacting conditions influence the transition from awareness to operational preparedness and sustained halal compliance.

Keywords: Halal certification, Halal compliance, Institutional challenges, Organizational capability, Organizational readiness.