Food Value Chains: Social Networks and Knowledge Transfer in a Brazilian Halal Poultry Network

Macau, Flavio Romero; Cunha, Julio Araujo Carneiro da; Alssabak, Nawfal Assa Mossa; Leandro, Januario Souza

Food Value Chains: Social Networks and Knowledge Transfer in a Brazilian Halal Poultry Network

Autores

Macau, Flavio Romero

Cunha, Julio Araujo Carneiro da

Alssabak, Nawfal Assa Mossa

Leandro, Januario Souza

Descripción

This paper describes a food value chain driven by Muslim precepts, exploring the influence of religion on social networks aspects and on knowledge transfer. Religions have a growing importance for international business, shaping the value chain. Assimilating religious precepts can contribute to better business network management for actual and intended food producers. A qualitative case study based on interviews, non-participant observation, and document analysis was conducted. The main results are that trust and commitment give a competitive edge to the Brazilian Halal poultry network when serving Muslim markets worldwide. Knowledge transfer is influenced by the religious context, with a small group of companies (Islamic Centers) governing interpretations of the Muslim precepts.