Youth Entrepreneurs and Halal Food Labelling in Sabah: Demographic Influences and Policy Implications
This study examines how demographic and behavioural factors influence youth entrepreneurs’ engagement in halal food product labelling in Sabah, with attention to the key challenges and enablers that shape their involvement in the halal certification process.
Malaysia is recognised globally for its strong halal governance system and growing halal economy. Youth entrepreneurs are increasingly important to this sector, yet engagement in halal food labelling remains uneven in Sabah due to limited knowledge, financial constraints, and restricted access to certification support. Understanding these demographic and policy-related barriers is essential for strengthening youth engagement and supporting Malaysia’s broader halal industry goals.
A quantitative cross-sectional survey was conducted with 60 youth entrepreneurs in Sabah using purposive sampling. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire and analysed using the KMO measure, Bartlett’s Test of Sphericity, and factor analysis. All constructs demonstrated acceptable sampling adequacy and strong explanatory power.
Subjective norm emerged as the strongest predictor of youth entrepreneurs’ engagement in halal food labelling, followed by attitude and perceived behavioural control. The results highlight the central role of social influence in shaping halal compliance behaviour among young entrepreneurs in Sabah.
The study underscores the importance of social support systems such as family, community networks, and religious institutions in encouraging halal-oriented business practices among youth. Strengthening engagement in halal labelling enhances consumer trust, supports youth entrepreneurship, and contributes to Malaysia’s long-term development as a global halal hub.
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