Young Consumers’ Attitude towards Halal Food Outlets and JAKIM's Halal Certification in Malaysia

AbstractThe attitude of Muslims on halal food is imperative in determining the Muslims’ behavior towards consuming halal food. There are several studies on consumers’ attitude in purchasing halal food in Malaysia focusing on consumers in general. But less attention is given to young Muslim consumers’ on their attitude of halal food outlets and Malaysia's Department of Islamic Development (JAKIM)’s halal certification. Therefore, this paper focuses on young people who will determine the future of halal industry in this country. The main objectives of this paper are a) to indentify the attitude of young Muslim consumers towards halal food outlets, b) to determine their attitude towards halal certification issued by JAKIM and c) to identify the relationship between subjective norm and perceived behavioral control towards the attitude of young consumers in choosing halal food outlets. The framework of consumers’ attitude in this study is based on the Ajzen's Theory of Planned Behavior which postulates three conceptually independent determinants of behavioral intention: attitude, subjective norm and perceived behavioral control. Data were collected through self administered questionnaires and the respondents comprised of Muslim students between 16 and 35 years old from Higher Learning Private Institutions. The findings of this study revealed young Muslims’ positive attitude towards halal food outlets and JAKIM's certification. However, the subjective norms have less significant influences compared to attitude and behavioral control of young consumers in choosing halal food outlets. The study suggests that to increase positive attitude of Muslim consumers, relevant bodies and media should augment the promotion and publicity of halal certification issued by JAKIM to increase awareness among young Muslim consumers in Malaysia. Future research may look into the relationship between the three independent variables of the Planned Behaviors Theory towards young consumers’ intention to choose halal food products in different geographical locations in Malaysia

Determinants influencing halal food consumption among generation y Muslims in Malaysian private universities / Aiedah Abdul Khalek

Previous researches have shown that there are three main determinants of halal consumption, namely attitude, subjective norms and perceived behavioral control. In addition, religiosity has been an important inquiry in human consumption, particularly in halal food consumption. In Malaysia, many initiatives have been conducted by the Malaysian government to encourage halal consumption. However, the influence attitude, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, religiosity and the government initiatives in influencing halal food consumption among Generation Y as the main food consumers are still vague. Therefore, this study aims to identify and analyze the determinants influencing Generation Y Muslim consumers’ intention in consuming halal food. The Theory of Planned Behavior with two added predictors which are religiosity and the government initiatives is proposed as the conceptual framework. This study employed a quantitative method by using questionnaires to achieve its objectives. Data were collected from 452 respondents from five Private Universities located in the Klang Valley. Descriptive analysis, Exploratory Factor Analysis, Multiple Linear Regression and Moderated Multiple Regression tests were used to analyse the findings. In determining the determinants of behavioral intentions to consume halal food, a five predictors Multiple Linear Regression model was used. In addition, this study, explores the possibility of gender and halal knowledge acquired at the university in moderating the relationship between all five predictors and behavioral intentions in consuming halal food. The results indicated that religiosity, subjective norms and attitude of Generation Y significantly influenced them to consume halal iv food. The findings of this study have also shown that gender plays a moderating role between attitude and behavioral intentions in consuming halal. In a nutshell, this study presents three main contributions which are contribution to the body of knowledge, contribution to the fiqh consumption and to the government in improving policies and strategies of halal food consumption in Malaysia

Unlocking sociocultural and community factors for the global adoption of genomic medicine

Advances in genomic sequencing and genetic testing are increasingly transforming the diagnosis and treatment of diseases—specifically, rare diseases. However, the application and benefit of such technologies remain inequitable globally. There is a clear and urgent need to provide genomic sequencing to people across the global population, including people living in under-resourced areas and/or underrepresented populations. Financial considerations are the most obvious barriers to the adoption of genomic medicine, yet there are many other factors that are not so obvious, such as geography, language, communication, and culture. Herein, we use the lens of rare diseases and focus on firstly, selected socio-cultural factors, and in particular stigma; and secondly, empowering community factors such as education, advocacy and connectivity amongst people living with rare diseases globally. These are critical areas of need and opportunity if genomic medicine is to achieve equitable and global adoption in the patient best-interest across low- middle- and high-income country health systems. Furthermore, we touch on specific child health aspects and how they can point towards opportunities to build on specific infrastructures