Alzarooni, FarahFarahAlzarooni2022-12-092022-12-092022 the A2022http://hdl.handle.net/10197/13315The UAE vision 2021 aims to make the UAE among the best countries in the world in terms of economic and social development. In line with this vision, the Islamic Economic Strategy was launched. To this end, the country needed to cement its role as a global regulator of the halal industry. Therefore, a new policy for halal products was introduced in 2014, which provide a comprehensive approach that outlines the requirements and process by which food and other products should be certified halal. The process entails that HCBs comply with the policy requirements, including obtaining accreditation to certify products for the UAE market. This study, therefore, investigates the impact of the UAE-HP on HCBs, who play a key role in this policy and further seeks to understand the challenges they face as policy implementers. The study also proposes regulatory changes to alleviate those challenges to maintain and enhance smooth and successful policy implementation. The two research questions that guided this study were: (i) Research Question 1: What are the challenges faced by HCBs during the introduction of the new UAE halal policy?( ii) Research Question 2: What regulatory design amendments are needed to alleviate the challenges faced by HCBs during the implementation of the new UAE halal policy? The theoretical framework of this study was based on the model proposed by Jensen & Youngs (2015), which presents a set of variables that influence the implementation process and determine the success or failure of a policy. In addition, specific variables from the literature review relevant to the halal implementation context were also incorporated. The interpretive method was adopted using a qualitative exploratory case study design using a thematic analysis approach. Data was collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews conducted with 26 global HCBs divided into three groups (old, enduring and new). In addition, further interviews were conducted with representatives from accreditation bodies and the regulatory body. The study's findings correspond to earlier research findings on the need for institutions to accurately understand and consider various stakeholders' capacity and provide them a reasonable time to prepare themselves and fulfil the policy requirements (Waluyo 2020; Barthwal and Sah 2008; Weaver 2009). In addition, however, findings confirm earlier studies of the noticeable effect that animal welfare and anti-halal groups can have on halal certification in Europe, North America, Australia, and Asia (Fuseini et al. 2016; Yusoff & Sarjoon 2017; Ahmad et al. 2017; Van Waarden & Van Dalen 2011). Nevertheless, the findings indicate that the impact of these groups is minimal and does not hinder the day-to-day certification activities. While the study’s exploratory nature aims to identify challenges in the UAE policy implementation, the findings also shed light on the opportunities HCBs obtained during their journey with the UAE halal policy. This study is unique in the UAE context. It discusses its halal policy as an extraterritorial jurisdiction policy, which adds complexity to the regulator and the implementing body. Hence, the study findings can be helpful not only for the UAE policymakers but also for similar contexts. As a result of this study, a new conceptual framework on halal policy implementation was developed. Furthermore, practical ideas were provided to improve policy implementation in the Gulf and similar countries with a halal top-down policy implementation approach. The case study contributes to implementation theory by utilising Western policy implementation theories in different contexts. The study, therefore, fills the scarcity of empirical research studies on policy implementation in the UAE and similar regions of top-down implementation models. Furthermore, this study contributes to halal policy implementation research, which was limited (Aziz & Chok 2013).enHalalCertificationPolicyImplementationDoctoral Thesis2022-11-30https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/ie/