INNOVATION IN A RELIGIOUS ENVIRONMENT: ESTABLISHING AN INTER-ORGANIZATIONAL NETWORK ORIENTED TO THE ISLAMIC MARKET

ABSTRACT Purpose: Understand the generation of innovation in a religious environment subject to the requirements of Islamic precepts. Brazil stands out in terms of its exports to the Middle East, particularly for items such as Halal chicken, produced according to Islamic precepts. For such business to be viable, an innovative network has emerged, with actors organizing their activities around religious precepts. Originality/gap/relevance/implications: Management of business product and processes is preponderantly oriented towards efficiency and productivity (e.g. cost reduction). Notwithstanding, they must comply to additional demands in supply networks where religion plays a major role. Key methodological aspects: Documentary research, exploratory interviews with key respondents at the strategic level, non-participant observation of workplaces and production lines. Summary of key results: Actors are linked to the network by a common goal, both economic and social, mobilized by institutionalized rules and religious principles in the network. Product and process changes are subject to compulsory religious rules, and no change may occur if not aligned to ancient practiced beliefs. Key considerations/conclusions: Knowledge transfer and innovation are intertwined with religious rules, guiding product and process changes for both Muslim and non-Muslim network actors. New business approaches, however great their benefits in terms of productivity and conferring excellence, need the approval of religious leaders who interpret such innovation, judging the case for acceptance based on the precepts of the Qur'an, i.e. whether the practice is lawful or Halal.摘要 研究目的：探究符合伊斯兰戒律要求的宗教环境下的创新生成机制。巴西在对中东出口领域表现突出，尤其在依据伊斯兰戒律生产的清真（Halal）鸡肉等品类上。为推动此类业务实现可行落地，一个围绕宗教戒律开展活动的创新型网络应运而生。 原创性/研究缺口/研究意义/实践启示：当前商业产品与流程管理的核心导向为效率与生产力提升（例如成本削减）。尽管如此，在宗教扮演核心角色的供应链网络中，商业活动还需满足额外的合规要求。 核心研究方法：采用文献研究法、对战略层面关键受访者开展探索性访谈、对工作场所与生产线进行非参与式观察。 核心研究结果概述：网络内各主体通过兼具经济与社会属性的共同目标建立联结，并依托网络中制度化的规则与宗教原则实现协同。产品与流程变更需严格遵循强制性宗教规则，任何变更若与传统践行的信仰相悖，则不得实施。 核心思考与结论：知识转移与创新与宗教规则深度绑定，指导着穆斯林与非穆斯林网络主体的产品及流程变革。然而，无论新商业模式在生产力提升与卓越性塑造上具备多大优势，都需要获得宗教领袖的认可——后者会依据《古兰经》（Qur'an）戒律对创新进行解读，判断该实践是否合法合规，即是否符合清真（Halal）标准。