Enhancing Sustainable Food Systems Through Halal Standards Compliance: A Study of Community Enterprise Food Manufacturers in Pattani Province Supporting SDGs

Objectives: This study investigates the key factors affecting community enterprise compliance with halal standards among food manufacturers in Pattani Province, Thailand, focusing on understanding the complex interplay between organizational capabilities, religious awareness, and market dynamics in shaping compliance behavior. Theoretical Framework: The research integrates multiple theoretical perspectives, including institutional theory, resource-based view (RBV), and religious orientation theory, to develop a comprehensive framework for understanding halal standard compliance in community enterprises. This framework examines how regulatory, normative, and cultural-cognitive pressures interact with organizational resources and capabilities to influence compliance decisions. Method: The study employs a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative analysis through structural equation modeling (SEM) with qualitative insights from semi-structured interviews. Data were collected from 384 community enterprise owners and managers through structured questionnaires, supplemented by 25 in-depth interviews. The research design incorporated stratified random sampling across different districts and food manufacturing categories, ensuring representative coverage of the target population. Results and Discussion: The findings reveal that organizational capability (β = 0.422, p < 0.001) and religious awareness (β = 0.384, p < 0.001) are the strongest predictors of compliance behavior. Resource availability demonstrates a significant indirect effect through organizational capability (β = 0.154, p < 0.01), highlighting the importance of capability development in resource utilization. The qualitative analysis reveals complex interactions between cultural values, economic constraints, and operational capabilities in shaping compliance decisions. Regional analysis shows significant variations in compliance levels across districts, with Muang district demonstrating the highest compliance rates (72.4%). Research Implications: The study contributes to both theoretical understanding and practical application in halal certification compliance. The findings suggest that enhancing organizational capabilities through targeted training programs and strengthening regulatory support mechanisms could significantly improve compliance rates among community enterprises. The research also highlights the importance of integrating religious values with market-oriented approaches in developing support programs. Originality/Value: This study presents the first comprehensive analysis of halal standard compliance among community enterprises in Southern Thailand, offering novel insights into the mediating role of organizational capability in the relationship between resources and compliance behavior. The research provides a validated framework for understanding compliance decisions in community-based enterprises, while offering practical recommendations for policymakers and certification bodies working to enhance halal compliance in similar cultural contexts.