International and Area Studies Commons^™

Evaluating The Impact Of Covid-19 On The Human Security Of Low-Income Migrant Workers’ In Singapore: Perspectives Among Policymakers, Community Stakeholders, And Academic Experts, Mukda Pratheepwatanawong, Rayner Kay Jin Tan, Waranya Jitpong

Asian Review

This research examines human security issues of low-income migrant workers in Singapore as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. We conducted stakeholder interviews and a review of secondary data, which were deductively analysed using themes adopted from a United Nations Development Programme human security framework. This research found that while several efforts by civil society and the government have been assessed to make a lasting, positive impact on human security, other areas may still have fallen short. We suggest that despite efforts to address the immediate needs of migrant workers, structural changes are needed to create a lasting impact on …

Social Protection System: A Case Study Of Migration And Families Left Behind In Ban Sandin, Lao Pdr, Kritsada Theerakosonphong

Asian Review

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Declaration on Strengthening Social Protection, serves as a policy framework guiding the international agenda of ASEAN member countries. This emphasis on social protection within the regional bloc is aligned with the United Nation's global agenda, particularly, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This presentation analyzes the social protection system in the Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR), exploring traditional and innovative coping mechanisms and how they reflect community social dynamics. Drawing on case studies of families left behind and insights from fifteen additional informants in Ban Sandin, Lao PDR, this article synthesizes scholarly literature to …

The French Appeasement Policy Toward Siam 1937-1939, Alexandre Barthel

Asian Review

This article deals with the issue of the preparation of French Indochina for the possibility of an armed conflict with Thailand in the late 1930s. It examines the reasons that led the colony to find itself so ill-prepared for the eventuality of war. In this perspective, the article shows that, although aware of its pro-Japanese evolution and the territorial claims of Siam, the French authorities hastened to undertake nothing, an attitude which was in line with the Munich policy that marked French policy in the last month before the outbreak of war in Europe. The article also shows that reasons …

Inside Chinese Business, Raymund Sisenando Mercado

Asian Review

The book helps managers or anyone have a clearer understanding of Chinese business from its cultural perspective mostly from its history and philosophy. Managers or anyone will also better understand how Chinese business is conducted as rooted from their societal experiences such as social hardships, colonization, and other major events in the nation’s history. One is guided that conducting Chinese business revolves mostly on family, reciprocity, relationships, and trust; an extended web like networking; and the ability to sense the meaning of indirect answers or “reading between the lines.” The success in conducting Chinese business relies also on the excellent …

Smu Welcomes Two New Members To Its Board Of Trustees, Singapore Management University

SMU Press Releases and News

The Singapore Management University is pleased to announce the appointment of two new members to its Board of Trustees with effect from 12 January 2024. Their appointment will be for an initial term of three years. The new members are: (1) Dr Andrew David Hamilton – President Emeritus, New York University, (2) Mr Don Lam – Chief Executive Officer & Founding Partner, VinaCapital Group.

Theorizing Cultural Appropriation: Complications Of Globalization And Power In Hybrid K-Pop, David C. Oh

Media Studies - All Scholarship

The purpose of this paper is to theorize cultural appropriation using a critical perspective that centers structural inequity and uneven global power by examining the case of South Korean media. This paper argues that cultural appropriation is a particular form of intercultural borrowing that relies on structural inequities of power, whereby a more powerful culture takes from a less powerful culture in such a way that it causes structural and representational harm to the borrowed culture. To clarify cultural appropriation as a particular form of cultural borrowing, I provide a typology of different forms of cultural borrowing before positing six …

The Implications Of The Visa Exemption For Sino-Thai Relations, Kaiting Liang

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

นโยบายยกเว้นวีซ่าระหว่างไทยและจีนซึ่งมีผลตั้งแต่วันที่ 1 มีนาคม 2567 ถือเป็นก้าวสำคัญในความสัมพันธ์ทวิภาคี โดยนโยบายนี้ส่งเสริมการท่องเที่ยวร่วมกัน เพิ่มพูนการแลกเปลี่ยนวัฒนธรรม และเสริมสร้างความสัมพันธ์ทางเศรษฐกิจด้วยการอำนวยความสะดวกในการเดินทางโดยไม่ต้องขอวีซ่าเป็นระยะเวลาไม่เกิน 30 วันสำหรับพลเมืองของทั้งสองประเทศ โครงการนี้มุ่งหวังกระตุ้นการท่องเที่ยวหลังการระบาดใหญ่ โดยคาดว่าจะมีนักท่องเที่ยวชาวจีนเยือนไทยถึง 8 ล้านคนในปี 2567 การวิจัยนี้สำรวจผลกระทบทางสังคมและเศรษฐกิจของนโยบาย รวมถึงผลต่อการท่องเที่ยว การค้า และการแลกเปลี่ยนวัฒนธรรม แม้ว่าจะมีประโยชน์ทางเศรษฐกิจอย่างมหาศาล แต่ก็มีความท้าทาย เช่น ความกังวลด้านความปลอดภัย การท่องเที่ยวเกินขีดจำกัด และการพึ่งพาตลาดเดียว โดยมีข้อเสนอแนะเพื่อปรับปรุงนโยบายอย่างยั่งยืน เช่น การกระจายตลาดการท่องเที่ยว การพัฒนาสาธารณูปโภค และการส่งเสริมความร่วมมือทวิภาคี การศึกษานี้มีส่วนสำคัญในการทำความเข้าใจว่านโยบายวีซ่าสามารถเป็นเครื่องมือในการเสริมสร้างความสัมพันธ์ทางการทูตและเศรษฐกิจระหว่างประเทศได้อย่างไร

The Development Of The Songkran Festival In Thailand: Balancing Tradition, Tourism, And Cultural Identity, Shiyuan Huang

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

This research paper examines the development of Thailand’s Songkran Festival over the past decade, with a focus on government policies and the festival's shifting cultural identity. Initially centered on tourism promotion and cultural preservation, Songkran has become part of Thailand’s soft power strategy by 2023, transforming from a local celebration into a global cultural event. The festival's format now features grand, entertainment-driven spectacles, such as the 2024 Maha Songkran World Water Festival, aiming to extend Thailand’s cultural influence internationally. The study further explores the social transformation of Songkran, which, while rooted in traditional values of family and community, has adapted …

The Integration Of Chinese Cuisine In Contemporary Thai Society As Reflected In The Names Of Food: A Case Study Of Salapao, Yating Shen

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

This thesis aims to study the integration of Chinese cuisine in contemporary Thai society as reflected in the names of food by using the Chinese steamed bun or salapao as a case study. Objectives of the thesis include 1) to analyze the form and meaning of the names of salapao consumed in Thai society and 2) to examine the integration of salapao in contemporary Thai society as reflected in its names. 200 names of salapao with savory and sweet fillings consumed in Thailand between 2022 and 2024 are collected from the products of salapao brands in Bangkok and 24 provinces. …

The Motivations Of Chinese Digital Nomads In Moving To Chiang Mai, Thailand, Yifan Zhai

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Digital nomadism, fueled by the rise of remote work opportunities and a desire for location independence, has become a prominent lifestyle choice for many individuals globally. Within this landscape, Chiang Mai, Thailand, has emerged as a favored destination for Chinese digital nomads, offering a unique blend of affordability, cultural richness, and conducive work environments. This paper presents an exploration into the motivations driving Chinese digital nomads to select Chiang Mai as their destination. Through a mixed-methods approach combining interviews and observation, this study seeks to uncover the underlying factors influencing their decision-making processes. Grounded in the theory of motivation and …

The Role Of Traditional Skirt (Sinh) In The Formation Of Lao National Identity In Post-1975 Lao Society, Aoi Takayama

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Lao People’s Democratic Republic was founded in 1975, and since then the government has tried to reinforce Lao national identity among its citizens. This research aims to study what kind of role the Lao female traditional skirt called the “Sinh” has played out in forming Lao national identity among the Lao people since the country’s establishment, and what kind of factors have affected the perspectives towards Sinh-wearing in Lao society. This research relies on both qualitative and quantitative methodology. The findings indicate that the Sinh has played an important role in constructing Lao women’s identity, and has had crucial role …

Singapore’S Emerging Regulatory Approach To Stablecoins, Rachel Phang

Research Collection Yong Pung How School Of Law

The Monetary Authority of Singapore's vision to develop "an innovative and responsible digital asset ecosystem" has placed stablecoins firmly on the regulatory agenda. Stablecoins, as cryptoassets designed to maintain a stable value, are regarded as having the potential to serve as a tenable medium of exchange for the digital asset ecosystem - so long as they are well-regulated and securely backed. Both this vision of a flourishing digital asset ecosystem, as well as the specter of the instability wrought by the recent algorithmic stablecoin collapse, speak to the need for sound regulation of stablecoins. This article therefore seeks to critically …

Not Why, But How: Applying The Sharp Edge Of The Law In Administrative Law Judicial Review In Singapore, Tan K. B. Eugene

Research Collection Yong Pung How School Of Law

The management and control of power, and, in particular, the endeavour to strike the appropriate balance between affording governments the ability to act swiftly and decisively in the public interest while providing for adequate safeguards against governmental excess, is an intensely difficult undertaking. There is no one model that is correct for all times and all places.

An Institutional And Policy Analysis Of Adaptive Capacity To Climate Change Of The Agricultural Sector Of Bangladesh, Calvin Wood Martin

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

This thesis evaluates the adaptive capacity of Bangladesh’s agricultural sector in the context of climate change, focusing on policy and institutional capacities. An analytic framework is applied to assess policy coherence, resources, and implementation effectiveness of key national and international policies. The study also examines aspects of institutional capacity, such as administration, technological innovation, protective infrastructure, and access to benefits and resources. Through expert interviews and a comprehensive literature review, the research identifies both strengths and challenges in current efforts to enhance climate resilience. The findings highlight areas for improvement, particularly in strengthening policy coherence, resource needs, and institutional support …

Similar Fact Evidence In Contractual Interpretation: Bhoomatidevi D/O Kishinchand Chugani Mrs Kavita Gope Mirwani V Nantakumar S/O V Ramachandra And Another [2023] Sghc 37, Calvin John Kaiwen Chirnside

Research Collection Yong Pung How School Of Law

In the recent Singapore High Court case of Bhoomatidevi d/o Kishinchand Chugani Mrs Kavita Gope Mirwani v Nantakumar s/o v Ramachandra and another [2023] SGHC 37, the claimant argued, inter alia, that evidence of a prior contract between the first defendant and a third party should be admitted to prove that the defendant had entered into a loan agreement with her in his personal capacity. Justice Lee Seiu Kin dismissed her claim, applying s. 14 of the Evidence Act.

Shadow Bank, Risk-Taking, And Real Estate Financing: Evidence From The Online Loan Market, Xiaoying Deng, Chong Liu, Eng Seow Ong

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

This paper examines whether and how individual risk-taking behavior affects real estate financing through shadow banks. Using the loan data from an online platform in China, we show that riskier households tend to employ online loans to meet the increasing down-payment in their home purchase. Individual investors are likely to fund riskier real estate loans with higher expected returns. Real estate loans experience higher ex-post default rates than other types of loans. The effect is more pronounced during the period of credit constraints.

Trust: The Feature That Vending Machines And Atms Share, But Simplygo Lacks, Sun Sun Lim

Research Collection College of Integrative Studies

The article discussed the intricacies of trust in the SimplyGo debacle and highlighted how the design of physical interfaces like vending machines and ATMs and digital interfaces from apps like Grab, Parking.sg and ShopBack have critical features to instil trust. People need to be reassured that their transactions have proceeded as they should, and thay have not been short-changed.

Rethinking The Inclusionary Potential Of Religious Institutions: The Case Of Gurdwaras In Singapore, Siew Ying Shee, Orlando Woods

Research Collection College of Integrative Studies

Whilst Singapore’s Sikh community is relatively small, it is also heterogeneous. Its diversity reflects differences in ancestral and socio-economic backgrounds. As spaces of worship that regularly bring together the Sikh community in space and time, Sikh temples—gurdwaras––are often conceived as important places through which a shared sense of religiously-defined community is reproduced. Yet, as much as religion can provide a bridge that integrates people of different ethnic, racial, national, and linguistic groups into a single faith community, so too can it act as a buttress through which differences and divisions are enforced within the community. We argue that whilst gurdwaras …

Opening The Black Box Of Fitness Tracking: Understanding The Mechanisms Of Feedback In Motivating Physical Activity Among Older Singaporeans, Sapphire H. Lin, Rich Ling, Sonny Rosenthal

Research Collection College of Integrative Studies

This paper examines how older adults interact with fitness trackers and how that interaction influences their physical activity. We carried out qualitative interviews with 22 individuals between the ages of 55 and 72 who had used fitness trackers as part of a six-week field experiment investigating the effects of feedback from fitness trackers and the social influence of their spouses. From their comments, we derived an explorative process model explaining the mechanisms and the four stages of effects arising from personalised feedback, namely, cognitive, affective, conative, and intuitive. These effects were grouped into internal and external dimensions. Three types of …

India's Security Threats From Chinese Military Funding And Economic Development In South Asia, Tran My Hai Loc

Global: Jurnal Politik Internasional

Since gaining independence in 1947, India's population, expansive land size, robust economic position, and historical and cultural ties have enabled it to dominate South Asian neighbours with comparatively less developed economies and weaker military strength. Since Narendra Modi assumed office as the Prime Minister of India in 2014, the “Neighbourhood First” policy was coined to enhance India's influence in South Asia, creating a favourable environment for its ascent as a global power. However, China's increasing military presence and influence in South Asia through financial and military support to neighbouring countries have disrupted the region's security architecture. This article uses qualitative …

Whither India’S Development: Toward Being A Super Power Or A Super Civilization?, Pradip Khandwalla

Markets, Globalization & Development Review

This commentary was triggered by my reading a lecture delivered by Saurabh Kumar, a former student of mine at Indian Institute of Management, who later served as India’s ambassador in various countries and international bodies. He bemoaned that China had much greater status in global affairs than India. Many others in India hanker for a super power status for India. I find this concern to be somewhat misguided. India should be aiming to be a great civilization, rather than a domineering superpower. The record of all the superpowers till now has been quite spotty in humane terms. My vision for …

Threatening National Security Or Bridging The Digital Divide? A Case Study Of Huawei’S Expansion In Brazil, Julie Jin Zeng

Rosenberg Institute Scholars

China’s digital footprint has been expanding rapidly in Latin America in the last two decades. Neither the U.S.-China tech war nor the U.S.-led global campaign aimed at Chinese tech firms seemed to be able to reverse the trend. Much of the policy discussion in the western media surrounding China’s digital expansion focuses on the supply side, emphasizing the potential risks of adopting Chinese technologies. Yet there remains scant research on the demand side— namely, how policymakers in developing countries perceive Chinese tech firms and how they maneuver amid the intensifying rivalry between the U.S. and China. Why did Chinese tech …

Female Ceos And Investment Efficiency In The Vietnamese Market, Jun Myung Song, Chune Young Chung

Sim Kee Boon Institute for Financial Economics

This paper proposes female CEOs’ overconfidence and risky behavior stem from gender stereotype threats. Using two subsamples from Vietnam—firms in the Northern and Southern regions—we empirically show that female CEOs in the North, where there is less gender stereotyping, tend to overinvest relative to male CEOs. However, in the South, they are indifferent. Additional analysis reinforces the main finding that female CEOs in the North tend to take more risks even when dealing with market volatility and uncertainty (e.g., the COVID-19 pandemic). Such risky behaviors do not deteriorate firm value but, instead, possibly improve firm performance.

Project Silverlight: Community Based And Participant-Led Initiatives To Increase Civic Engagement Among Older Adults, Paulin T. Straughan, William Tov, Wensi Lim, Rachel Ngu, Yan Er Tan, Mindy Eiko Tadai

ROSA Research Briefs

Project Silverlight was a year-long project aimed at redefining social engagement and participation of older adults in the community. In this report, we share our findings from the project and key recommendations to community partners who are looking to adopt a similar model of participant-led programs. Our study found that by engaging student volunteers as a key partner in this initiative, participants showed a significant improvement in their perceptions of youth, and that participants derived a great sense of satisfaction from being involved in the curation of their activities.

Respectful Workplace Policy To Conceive A Security Consciousness And Gender Equality As An Implementation Of Akhlak Core Values In State-Owned Enterprises Environment, Endang Susilowati, Erwin Susanto Sadirsan

Journal of Terrorism Studies

A safe work environment, mutual respect, freedom from discrimination, harassment, violence, gender inequality, discrimination of women is highly coveted in the Indonesian work environment. In State-Owned Enterprises there are still issues of harassment, gender inequality, violence, and women's opportunities to become leaders in the workplace. In 2021, the number of women leaders in workplace is still below 10%. The Ministry of State-Owned Enterprises is aiming to increase the representation of women in the Board of Commissions or Executives, and one level below the Board of Executives by 25% in 2023.

The purpose of this research is to analyse women's issues …

A Comparison Between A Terrorist Leader And A Lone-Wolf Operative In Bangladesh, Fatema Islam

Journal of Terrorism Studies

The article compares the biography and terrorist portrait of two terrorists of Bangladesh: Mufti Abdul Hannan, a pioneer leader of the prominent terrorist organization Huji-B, and a lone wolf operative named Faizul Hasan. The study reveals the existence of the multifaceted dynamics of the leader (Mufti) and lone wolf (Faizul) encompassing organizational affiliation, operational independence, radicalization processes, motivations, objectives, and the scale of their operations. The study also finds that the pattern of operation of a terrorist leader (Mufti) and the lone wolf terrorist (Faizul) differed significantly in terms of planning, execution, and level of organizational support. While the terrorist …

Power Projection And Counter-Terrorism: Strategies For Small States Like Brunei Darussalam, Brice Tseen Fu Lee, Gulshan Bibi Ms

Journal of Terrorism Studies

This study delves into the intricacies of power projection strategies and counter-terrorism measures, emphasizing their relevance to small states, with a specific focus on Brunei Darussalam. Using a dual matrix model, the research categorizes various strategies based on risk-reward parameters, offering a structured insight into potential approaches these states can employ against potential aggressors. The counter-terrorism matrix is the initial focal point, recognizing the contemporary significance of terror threats and their unique challenges for small nations. Subsequently, the power projection matrix offers a broader view of defense tactics beyond counter-terrorism. By synthesizing information from primary academic sources, the study aims …

"Takings" And "Givings" In Singapore: Land Law And Policy In The Search For Justice, Rachel Phang

Research Collection Yong Pung How School Of Law

In the United States and globally, cities are increasingly plagued by deepening housing crisis and widening economic inequality. In the face of these crises, this Article focuses on the potentially powerful role for land law and policy in the search for justice. Specifically, it does so by reference to two unusual yet illuminating choices of theory and application: the case study of Singapore, and the school of thought of Georgism, both of which accord inordinate and paramount importance to land. Singapore’s land law and policy have been characterized by extensive takings and givings of land. In consequence, the State owns …

Challenges Of Ethnic Party Adaptation In Power-Sharing Systems: Evidence From Malaysia, Sebastian Carl Dettman

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

In authoritarian systems, ethnic power-sharing arrangements include important ethnic groups in government and decision-making while putting restraints on political competition. However, under conditions of democratization, we might expect power-sharing arrangements to fragment as political parties seize opportunities to expand their base and appeal across ethnic lines. This article draws from the case of Malaysia, where multiethnic coalitions built around ethnic parties ruled for 61 years but where increasing electoral competitiveness has destabilized coalition politics. I focus on the Democratic Action Party (DAP), one of the country's most successful parties, which has sought to build a more multiethnic support base. I …

When Social Status Gets In The Way Of Mating: The Incompatibility Between Social Status And Reproductive Goals In Modern Contexts, Jose C. Yong, Amy J. Y. Lim, Norman P. Li

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

Low fertility is a growing concern in modern societies. While economic and structural explanations of reproductive hindrances have been informative to some extent, they do not address the fundamental motives that underlie reproductive decisions and are inadequate to explain why East Asian countries, in particular, have such low fertility rates. The current paper advances a novel account of low fertility in modern contexts by describing how modern environments produce a mismatch between our evolved mechanisms and the inputs they were designed to process, leading to preoccupations with social status that get in the way of mating and reproductive outcomes. We …