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As the doors shut: uncovering interview rejections in Australia’s Halal food industry


Citation

Mohdshuhaimi, Amarul and Akanbi, Taiwo O. and Ab Karim, Shahrim and Lee, Eun Kyung and Mohamad, Siti Fairuz and Ungku Zainal Abidin, Umi Fadhlina and Arshad, Mohd Mahudin (2025) As the doors shut: uncovering interview rejections in Australia’s Halal food industry. International Food Research Journal, 32 (2). art. no. 9. pp. 433-451. ISSN 1985-4668; eISSN: 2231-7546

Abstract

Rejections to participate in scientific studies are inevitable and often overlooked in academic discourse. This study explores interview refusals among Halal food manufacturers in Australia, identifying systemic challenges in corporate communication that hinder transparency, collaboration, and industry growth. Sampling through website content analysis and gatekeeper communications, we found that manufacturers declined participation due to lack of cooperation, reluctance to discuss Halal issues, time and resource constraints, concerns over confidentiality, and gatekeeper barriers. These refusals impede efforts to improve Halal certification processes and address cultural sensitivities and logistical challenges in the Australian context. By highlighting interview refusals as a significant yet underexamined aspect of qualitative research, this study contributes to methodological discussions. It underscores the implications of non-cooperation for global competitiveness and compliance in the Halal industry. Future research should develop mechanisms to reduce rejection rates and better engage gatekeepers, particularly in segmented markets.


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Additional Metadata

Item Type: Article
Subject: Food Science
Divisions: Faculty of Educational Studies
Faculty of Food Science and Technology
DOI Number: https://doi.org/10.47836/ifrj.32.2.09
Publisher: Universiti Putra Malaysia
Keywords: Australian Halal market; Halal food manufacturers; Halal-certified products; Refusals of interview participation; Rejection in qualitative study
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
Depositing User: Ms. Nur Faseha Mohd Kadim
Date Deposited: 02 Jul 2026 05:33
Last Modified: 02 Jul 2026 05:33
Altmetrics: http://www.altmetric.com/details.php?domain=psasir.upm.edu.my&doi=10.47836/ifrj.32.2.09
URI: http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/126776
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