Unlocking Halal Food Performance: Exploring Technology Acceptance Model and Halal Traceability System Adoption in Malaysia's Food and Beverage SMEs

Abstract

The global halal food market has growing demands especially concerning transparency and compliance along halal food supply chains. Malaysia aims to position itself as a global Halal food hub, where the food and beverage (F&B) small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are critical in upholding halal credibility. However, due to resource constraints and a lack of technological readiness, these SMEs face challenges in adopting advanced technologies. This study examines the Halal traceability system adoption of Malaysian F&B SMEs through the lens of the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). More specifically, it explores the relationships of perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use to the halal traceability systems adoption, as well as the effects of the of halal traceability systems adoption on the Halal food performance. A quantitative cross-sectional design was adopted, and data were collected from 189 SME stakeholders and analysed using SmartPLS. The findings showed that a lack of perceived ease of use in relation to the halal traceability system significantly inhibits its adoption, thereby enhancing the Halal food performance. In contrast, perceived usefulness was shown to have no significant impact on the Halal traceability systems adoption. The Halal traceability systems adoption does mediate the relationship between perceived ease of use of the constructs and Halal food performance. These findings contribute to the limited literature on the use of technology in the Halal sector and offer insights to policymakers and SMEs striving to improve Halal verification and digital shift.