The Impacts of Supply Chain Integration on Halal SMEs Supply Chain Performance: the Mediating Role of Innovativeness

Abstract

This paper proposed a new conceptual framework for examining the impact of halal SMEs’ Supply Chain Integration (SCI) on their Supply Chain Performances (SCP). In the model, SCI positively impacts the SCP of halal SMEs, while innovativeness mediates the effect. There is little research on halal SMEs’ innovativeness and supply chain integration in Asia or Malaysia. This conceptual paper is unique for introducing innovativeness into studying the relationship between halal SMEs’ SCI and their SCP. Since COVID-19-induced supply chain disruptions emerged, SCI has increasingly attracted attention as an integrated business strategy for achieving business supply chain performance, competitiveness, and sustainability. Also, considering the crucial roles of Malaysian halal SMEs in the country’s economic development and the increase in demand for halal products worldwide, appropriate utilisation of innovativeness and SCI must be examined to achieve their supply chain performance. Bearing all this in mind, the researchers have proposed this framework. After reviewing the literature and citing relevant studies conducted on the subject matter, a tentative research agenda and directions for future studies are suggested. This aims to achieve efficient and competitive Supply Chain Performance (SCP) for halal SMEs