Strategic Health Communication and Digital Business Transformation in the Halal Supplement Industry: Evidence from an Indonesian SME

Authors

  • Rendi Rendi STEBI Global Mulia
  • Yulianto Yulianto STEBI Global Mulia
  • Yoyo Hambali STEBI Global Mulia
  • Wantoro Wantoro STEBI Global Mulia
  • M. Ali Murtado STEBI Global Mulia
  • Mawarni Mawarni STEBI Global Mulia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.58192/wawasan.v4i3.4637

Keywords:

Consumer Trust, Digital Business Transformation, Halal Supplement Industry, Health Literacy, Strategic Health Communication

Abstract

The global halal pharmaceutical and health supplement industry is experiencing rapid digital transformation, requiring companies to develop not only product competitiveness but also strategic communication capabilities capable of strengthening consumer trust and health literacy. This study aims to analyse the strategic positioning and business development strategy of PT VitaBrain Indonesia, a halal brain health supplement company producing Centella asiatica-based products, through the integration of SWOT analysis, the Internal-External (IE) Matrix, and strategic health communication perspectives. This study employed a qualitative-dominant mixed-methods case study approach using semi-structured interviews, digital observations, and source triangulation involving company management, distributor agents, and loyal consumers. Internal and external strategic factors were analysed using IFAS–EFAS matrices, IE Matrix positioning, and TOWS strategic formulation. The findings indicate that PT VitaBrain Indonesia is positioned within Quadrant V (“Hold and Maintain”) with an IFAS score of 2.71 and an EFAS score of 2.57. The study reveals that the company’s primary challenge does not originate from product legitimacy or quality limitations, but rather from insufficient digital communication capability, declining conventional distribution effectiveness, and increasing digital misinformation threats. The results further demonstrate that strategic health communication functions as a critical organizational capability capable of strengthening health literacy, digital trust, consumer engagement, and sustainable competitiveness within digital halal healthcare markets. Theoretically, this study contributes to the strategic management and health communication literature by extending the Resource-Based View (RBV) and Health Belief Model (HBM) into the context of halal digital healthcare SMEs. The study proposes that strategic health communication should be conceptualized as an intangible strategic asset capable of supporting sustainable business transformation within highly competitive digital marketplaces.

References

Abed, S. S. (2020). Social commerce adoption using TOE framework: An empirical investigation of Saudi Arabian SMEs. International Journal of Information Management, 53, 102118. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijinfomgt.2020.102118

Al-Ansi, A., Olya, H. G. T., & Han, H. (2019). Effect of general risk on trust, satisfaction, and recommendation intention for halal food. International Journal of Hospitality Management, 83, 210–219. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhm.2018.10.017

Attaran, A., Barry, D., Basheer, S., Bate, R., Benton, D., Chauvin, J., et al. (2012). How to achieve international action on falsified and substandard medicines. BMJ, 345, e7381. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.e7381

Battour, M., Hakimian, F., & Ismail, M. (2024). Halal supply chain management and competitive advantage: A strategic approach. Journal of Business Research, 154, 113334. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2022.113334

Dwivedi, Y. K., Ismagilova, E., Hughes, D. L., et al. (2021). Setting the future of digital and social media marketing research: Perspectives and research propositions. International Journal of Information Management, 59, 102168. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijinfomgt.2020.102168

Finset, A., Bosworth, H., MacFarlane, P., et al. (2020). Effective health communication—A key factor in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic and mitigating its impacts. Patient Education and Counseling, 103(5), 873–876. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pec.2020.03.027

Gohil, K. J., & Patel, M. R. (2022). Neurological applications of Centella asiatica: A comprehensive update on clinical and pharmacological efficacy. Phytomedicine, 98, 153965. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phymed.2022.153965

Hair, J. F., Harrison, D. E., & Risher, J. J. (2023). Marketing research in the digital economy: A paradigm shift. Journal of Business Research, 160, 113795. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2023.113795

Herhausen, D., Miočević, D., Morgan, R. E., & Kleijnen, M. H. (2020). The digital marketing capabilities gap. Industrial Marketing Management, 90, 276–290. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indmarman.2020.07.022

Huda, N., Rini, N., Mardoni, Y., & Putra, P. (2022). The Islamic business strategy framework: A case of halal certified enterprises. Journal of Islamic Marketing, 13(2), 341–358. https://doi.org/10.1108/JIMA-09-2020-0278

Izzuddin, A. (2023). Strategic management of halal pharmaceutical industries in Southeast Asia: A SWOT-AHP approach. Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business, 10(2), 405–415. https://doi.org/10.13106/jafeb.2023.vol10.no2.0405

Kannan, P. K., & Li, H. A. (2021). Digital marketing: A framework, review and research agenda. International Journal of Research in Marketing, 38(1), 22–45. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijresmar.2020.09.001

Kraus, S., Roig-Tierno, N., & Bresciani, S. (2024). Digital transformation in business and management research: An update. Journal of Business Research, 172, 114400. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2023.114400

Kreps, G. L. (2021). The value of strategic health communication in promoting consumer health literacy and navigating a complex healthcare system. Journal of Health Communication, 26(1), 1–5. https://doi.org/10.1080/10810730.2021.1883686

Rejeb, A., Rejeb, K., Zailani, S., Treiblmaier, H., & Hand, K. J. (2021). Integrating the Internet of Things in the halal food supply chain. Internet of Things, 13, 100361. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.iot.2020.100361

Saura, J. R., Ribeiro-Soriano, D., & Palacios-Marqués, D. (2021). Using environmental, social and governance (ESG) data to drive business value. Journal of Innovation & Knowledge, 6(4), 211–222. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jik.2021.10.001

Shabbir, M. S., et al. (2022). The role of digital marketing in the performance of SMEs during crises. Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, 65, 102871. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jretconser.2021.102871

Wilson, J. A. J. (2022). Halal branding: A systematic review and future research agenda. International Journal of Consumer Studies, 46(3), 856–879. https://doi.org/10.1111/ijcs.12713

Chaffey, D., & Ellis-Chadwick, F. (2022). Digital marketing: Strategy, implementation and practice (8th ed.). Pearson.

David, F. R., & David, F. R. (2021). Strategic management: A competitive advantage approach, concepts and cases (17th ed.). Pearson.

Kotler, P., Kartajaya, H., & Setiawan, I. (2021). Marketing 5.0: Technology for humanity. Wiley.

Schiavo, R. (2013). Health communication: From theory to practice (2nd ed.). Jossey-Bass.

Downloads

Published

2026-06-29

How to Cite

Rendi Rendi, Yulianto Yulianto, Yoyo Hambali, Wantoro Wantoro, M. Ali Murtado, & Mawarni Mawarni. (2026). Strategic Health Communication and Digital Business Transformation in the Halal Supplement Industry: Evidence from an Indonesian SME. Wawasan : Jurnal Ilmu Manajemen, Ekonomi Dan Kewirausahaan, 4(3), 483–502. https://doi.org/10.58192/wawasan.v4i3.4637