ACADEMICIAN AS A CATALYST IN MAINTAINING MALAYSIA'S CATTLE SUPPLY CHAIN INDUSTRY BASED ON THE QUADRUPLE HELIX MODEL

This study explores the pivotal role of academicians in strengthening Malaysia’s cattle supply chain industry through the Quadruple Helix Model (QHM), which integrates academia, government, industry, and civil society. Despite policy efforts under initiatives such as the National Agro-Food Policy 2.0, the cattle sector faces structural weaknesses, low technological adoption, and limited youth involvement. Using a qualitative approach, data were collected through semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders, academic researchers, government officials, industry players, and NGOs, and were analysed thematically alongside case studies of successful academic-industry collaborations. Findings reveal that while academia contributes significantly through research, innovation, and capacity building, these contributions often fail to translate into practice due to weak institutional linkages and poor communication. Many stakeholders reported that academic outputs are not easily accessible or applicable in operational contexts, while government policies frequently lack alignment with research agendas. However, evidence from successful case studies shows that cattle productivity, disease management, and sustainable practices improve notably when academia is actively engaged through technology trials, training, and collaborative projects. Although increasingly influential in shaping market preferences and sustainability norms, civil society remains underrepresented in formal decision-making. This underutilization of civil input and fragmented stakeholder collaboration limits the full realization of the QHM’s potential. The study concludes that strengthening communication, aligning policies with research, and integrating civil society into innovation processes are essential to leveraging academia’s catalytic role. A robust Quadruple Helix framework promises to enhance innovation diffusion, promote sustainable practices, and improve the resilience of Malaysia’s cattle supply chain, ultimately contributing to national food security goals.