International and Area Studies Commons^™

China Business At A Crossroads: Institutions, Innovation, And International Competitiveness, Joseph L. C. Cheng, Daphne W. Yiu

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

As the world's fastest growing economy with over a billion population, China is a country that the world needs to know more about in order to understand and anticipate her global and regional impact. Toward this end, the current special issue seeks to advance knowledge about the changing institutions in China and their impact on China business from both the perspectives of foreign firms investing in China and Chinese firms expanding internationally. Four articles selected from a pool of over 50 submissions are presented here, each covering one or more of the country's changing economic, political, and technological institutions. Collectively, …

How To Revive Beauty Subscription Boxes In Asia, Shilpa Madan

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

After being acquired by consumer goods behemoth Unilever for a whopping $1 billion, Dollar Shave Club became the indisputable poster child of the subscription economy era. So will the next Dollar Shave Club come from Asia?

New Skills At Work: Managing Skills Challenges In Asean-5, Kim Song Tan, James T. H. Tang

Research Collection School Of Economics

The dynamic economies of Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines (ASEAN-5) boasts a growth rate of close to 5% a year despite the sluggish global economy. However, whether ASEAN-5 can grow to be significant players in the global economy will depend critically on their abilities to train workers with relevant job skills required by growth-driving industries. This challenge requires governments and employers to work together and develop coherent policies and targeted incentive structures for workers to acquire general and job-specific skills. The report Managing Skills Challenges in ASEAN-5 provides insights and recommendations on how the ASEAN-5 countries can respond …

Smu Libraries: “Sensory” In Library Spaces, Nursyeha Yahaya, Salihin Mohammed Ali, Devika Sangaram

Research Collection Library

No abstract provided.

Catalyst Asia Issue 03, Institute For Societal Leadership

Catalyst Asia

STORIES FROM THE GROUND

Grooming The Bright But Underprivileged For A Better Future

A Gift From The Forest

No Ordinary Clinic

Helping The Most Vulnerable In A Thai Border Town

Fighting To Change The Fate Of Street Children In Vietnam

Voices That Must Not Be Forgotten

Giving Children A New Lease Of Life

Leading The Long Road To Recovery

Helping Girls In Myanmar Find Their Voices

Cambodia’s Growing Mental Health Problem

Saving Babies One At A Time

Gone Adventurin’ For Good

IN THE HOT SEAT

Rohingya – A Forgotten People

Want To Help, Will Travel

Coffee Against Cultural Colonisation

Empowering …

Customer Satisfaction Index Of Singapore 2016: Q2 Results, Institute Of Service Excellence, Smu

Research Collection Institute of Service Excellence (2007-2024)

The Customer Satisfaction Index of Singapore (CSISG) computes customer satisfaction scores at the national, sector, sub-sector, and company levels. The CSISG serves as a quantitative benchmark of the quality of goods and services produced by the Singapore economy over time and across countries. This is the CSISG’s tenth year of measurement.

A Guide To The Singapore Constitution (2nd Ed.), Smu Apolitical

Student Publications

This primer is an introductory guide to the Constitution, its history, the legal concepts associated with it (such as the separation of powers and constitutional supremacy) and so much more. With illustrations and diagrams to aid in understanding, it is designed for readers of all ages and from all walks of life. The Constitution is the supreme law of the land. It provides for, among other things, the 3 branches of the Singapore government (namely, the executive, the legislature and the judiciary) and secures our fundamental liberties. The provisions in the Constitution are applied in our daily lives, both directly …

When To Turn To Mediation In Telco Disputes, Dorcas Quek Anderson

Research Collection Yong Pung How School Of Law

The Ministry of Communications and Information(MCI) proposed the introduction of an alternative dispute resolution schemeto assist telecos and consumers in resolving their disputes. The mediationprocess is likely to be used. In response to this suggestion, Straits Times’ Tech Editor MsIrene Tham questioned whether mediation goes far enough to settle telcodisputes. This op-ed discusses the basic principles involved in the mediation process, as well as when mediation is appropriate and conversely when it is not. Recommendations are made on how to decide on the appropriate mode of dispute resolution for a particular dispute.

Financial Reporting Quality Of Chinese Reverse Merger Firms: The Reverse Merger Effect Or The China Effect?, Kun-Chih Chen, Qiang Cheng, Ying Chou Lin, Yu-Chen Lin, Xing Xiao

Research Collection School Of Accountancy

In this paper, we examine why Chinese reverse merger (RM) firms have lower financial reporting quality than U.S. IPO firms. We find that the financial reporting quality of U.S. RM firms is similar to that of matched U.S. IPO firms, but Chinese RM firms exhibit lower financial reporting quality than Chinese ADR firms. We also find that Chinese RM firms exhibit lower financial reporting quality than U.S. RM firms. These results indicate that the use of the RM process is associated with poor financial reporting quality only in firms from China, where legal enforcement and investor protection are weak. In …

Human-Scale Economics: Economic Growth And Poverty Reduction In Northeastern Thailand, Joel D. Moore, John A. Donaldson

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

Under what conditions does economic growth benefit the poor? One way to answer this question is to identify and compare positive and negative outlier areas, those that experience greater and lesser poverty reduction, respectively, compared to what was anticipated given their levels of economic growth. The more similar these areas, the more leverage there is to unearth the factors that allow the poor to benefit from growth. In this paper, we employ an inductive approach to glean possible pathways out of poverty from two highly similar underdeveloped neighboring provinces in northeastern Thailand. Using extensive fieldwork and interviews, we explore factors …

How Agribusiness Can Win In Partnership With Small Farms, John A. Donaldson

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

Can large-scale agribusiness reduce costs and obtain less-expensive food while also reducing poverty and inequality by engaging small-scale farmers? Many conclude that such an attractive outcome is unimaginable, but innovative pilot projects hold promise that such a reality is within reach and replicable.

Addressing The Implementation Gap: An Integrated Approach To Identifying Barriers And Facilitators To Flexi Work Arrangements In Singapore, Paulin Tay Straughan, Mindy E Tadai

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

This article addresses the implementation gap in the provision of work—life policies in Singapore. While both employers and government in principle endorse the ideology of flexibility in the work place, this has not yet translated into widely adopted policies. This study examines barriers and facilitators to part-time work, and highlights organisational and managerial factors contributing to the implementation gap. It is imperative in ageing societies with declining fertility rates that flexibility be mainstreamed to encourage optimum labour force participation. For both married women with childcare responsibilities and older adults, flexiwork is central to their continued economic participation. In particular, part-time …

Managing Trade Conflicts In The Ict Industry: A Case Study Of Eu-Greater China Area, Han-Wei Liu, Shin-Yi Peng

Research Collection Yong Pung How School Of Law

Trade policy is formulated through a rather complex decision-making process that involves two-way interactions between actors in public and private sectors. Such interactions are of particular importance in resolving trade controversies in the information and communication technology (ICT) sector. Focusing on the conflicts between the EU and its trading partners in the Greater China Area regarding certain innovation policies in this high-tech industry, this Article underscores how catch-up strategies adopted by latecomer economies in East Asia may implicate the world trade order in recent years. Loosely built upon the insights of public-private network theory, this Article identifies key variables—economic, legal, …

Lessons For Singapore From Schooling’S Win, David Chan

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

Joseph Schooling’s gold medal win at theRio Olympics over the weekend highlightsthe achievements of human potential andthe indomitable spirit of human nature

Exploring A New Frontier In Singapore's Private International Law: Im Skaugen Se V Man Diesel & Turbo Se [2016] Sghcr 6, Wei Yao, Kenny Chng

Research Collection Yong Pung How School Of Law

The establishment of the Singapore International Commercial Court (“SICC”) marks a significant development in Singapore’s private international law. This note leverages on the Singapore High Court decision of IM Skaugen SE v MAN Diesel & Turbo SE [2016] SGHCR 6 to discuss two key issues raised by the SICC: the relationship between the Singapore High Court’s and the SICC’s jurisdictional rules, and the applicable test for the exercise of the SICC’s jurisdiction. This note argues that the possibility of a transfer to the SICC should influence the High Court’s exercise of its international jurisdiction, and that the SICC should not …

Market Failure And Reemergence: A Study Of Chinese Firms Listed In The Us., Hai Lu, Hai Lu, Wei Luo

Research Collection School Of Accountancy

Our study documents a “Lemons” market failure of Chinese firms listed in the US in 2011 and a subsequent rebound by 2013. Our tests reveal that there was little difference in ex ante observable characteristics of fraudulent and non-fraudulent Chinese firms listed in the US prior to 2011 while entrepreneurs appear to have known their type. We document substantial costs of dishonesty and the failure of traditional market signaling mechanisms such as auditor or underwriter quality. We also show a return of Chinese firms after US and Chinese regulatory intervention in 2013 although this intervention was insufficient to fundamentally change …

Between Judicial Oligarchy And Parliamentary Supremacy: Understanding The Court's Dilemma In Constitutional Judicial Review, Seow Hon Tan

Research Collection Yong Pung How School Of Law

This article considers the dilemma that constitutional judicial review presents to the most well-meaning of judges — that of navigating the narrow and difficult road between parliamentary supremacy and judicial oligarchy. It examines the Singapore Court of Appeal’s delineation of legal and extra-legal considerations in view of Ronald Dworkin’s theory of adjudication in determining the constitutionality of section 377A of the Penal Code in Lim Meng Suang v. Attorney General. It proposes an alternative natural law approach to constitutional judicial review based on Radbruch’s formula, which helps courts to avoid the pitfalls of judicial idiosyncrasies and usurpation of legislative mandate …

Reserved Election: Boost For Multiracialism?, Tan K. B. Eugene

Research Collection Yong Pung How School Of Law

Singapore is on the threshold of the most significant re-engineering to its constitutional architecture since the introduction of the Elected Presidency (EP) in 1991.

Incense Burning During Pregnancy And Birth Weight And Head Circumference Among Term Births: The Taiwan Birth Cohort Study, Le-Yu Chen, Christine Ho

Research Collection School Of Economics

Incense burning for rituals or religious purposes is an important tradition in many countries. However, incense smoke contains particulate matter and gas products such as carbon monoxide, sulfur and nitrogen dioxide, which are potentially harmful to health. We analyzed the relationship between prenatal incense burning and birth weight and head circumference at birth using the Taiwan Birth Cohort Study. We performed multivariate regression analysis on a sample of 15,773 Taiwanese babies born in 2005 and controlled extensively for factors that may be correlated with incense burning and birth outcomes. Prenatal incense burning environment was associated with lower birth weight and …

Climate Change And Vulnerability To Poverty: An Empirical Investigation In Rural Indonesia, Tomoki Fujii

Research Collection School Of Economics

Scientists estimate that anthropogenic climate change leads to increased surface temperature, sea-level rise, more frequent and significant extreme weather and climate events, among others. In this study, we investigate how climate change can potentially change the vulnerability to poverty using a panel data set in Indonesia. We focus on the effect of drought and flood, two of the commonly observed disasters there. Our simulation results indicate that vulnerability to poverty may increase substantially as a result of climate change in Indonesia.

Concepts And Measurement Of Vulnerability To Poverty And Other Issues: A Review Of Literature, Tomoki Fujii

Research Collection School Of Economics

This paper reviews the growing body of literature on vulnerability. We first provide a survey of existing studies on the concepts and measurements of vulnerability to poverty by classifying them into welfarist, expected poverty, and axiomatic approaches. We then review a number of empirical studies on vulnerability to poverty in Asia and elsewhere. This review shows that poverty and vulnerability are related, but different, and that key determinants of vulnerability often include education and location. We also briefly review other areas of vulnerability analysis such as vulnerability to climate change and offer various policy implications arising from vulnerability analysis.

High Correlation Of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Spread With Google Search And Twitter Trends In Korea, Soo-Yong Shin, Dong-Woo Seo, Jisun An, Haewoon Kwak, Sung-Han Kim, Jin Gwack, Min-Woo Jo

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

The Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) was exported to Korea in 2015, resulting in a threat to neighboring nations. We evaluated the possibility of using a digital surveillance system based on web searches and social media data to monitor this MERS outbreak. We collected the number of daily laboratory-confirmed MERS cases and quarantined cases from May 11, 2015 to June 26, 2015 using the Korean government MERS portal. The daily trends observed via Google search and Twitter during the same time period were also ascertained using Google Trends and Topsy. Correlations among the data were then examined using Spearman …

In Fair Value We Trust, Or Not, Joyce Tang, Nick Leong, Pan, Gary, Keng Kevin Ow Yong, Chu Yeong Lim, Tee Yong Jeffrey Ng

Research Collection School Of Accountancy

The objective of financial reporting is to provide financial information that is useful to existing and potential investors, lenders and other creditors (IASB’s Conceptual Framework ED/2015/3). General purpose financial reports provide information about the financial position of a reporting entity, as well as information about the effects of transactions and other events that will change a reporting entity’s economic resources and claims (para 1.12 ED/2015/3). Investor confidence and trust in the financial statements is a crucial component for financial markets to function smoothly. This report presents the attitudes and concerns of over 700 respondents toward fair value accounting. The survey …

Preparing Students For The Future Workforce: An Experiential Learning Approach To Deliver An Accounting Analytics Course, Gary Pan, Venky Shankararaman, Poh Sun Seow, Gan Hup Tan

Research Collection School Of Accountancy

This paper describes an undergraduate accounting analytics course which was delivered based on an experiential learning approach. This accounting analytics course is timely as, with the proliferation of Big Data, several accounting professional bodies have highlighted the importance of developing analytical skills among accounting graduates. The experiential learning approach was adopted because there is a need to equip students with future work skills so as to tackle increasingly complex problems. The professors collaborate with external partners to design a course which combines theory with experiential learning through heavy use of projects involving real world problems. Students rated the course favourably. …

What Singapore, Singaporeans And The Sports Fraternity Can Learn From Schooling’S Olympic Heroics, Tan K. B. Eugene

Research Collection Yong Pung How School Of Law

For a young country starved of Olympic Games success, Joseph Schooling’s superlative achievement in winning an individual gold medal in the 100m Butterfly event at the Rio Olympics deserves due recognition, including Monday’s unprecedented parliamentary motion formally recognising his achievements.

Product Intervention For Retail Structured Investment Products: A Comparison Of Rules In Singapore, Hong Kong And Taiwan, Christopher C. H. Chen

Research Collection Yong Pung How School Of Law

This article compares new product intervention rules in Singapore, Hong Kong and Taiwan for complex structured investment products. Singapore’s approach is to improve firms’ internal safeguard, while Hong Kong’s approach is to require prior authorisation for new unlisted structured investment products by the securities regulator. Taiwan’s approach is to have a self regulatory body reviewing a product beforehand. This article argues that it is difficult to review the merit of a financial product in advance and thus it is difficult to have a true gatekeeper for toxic financial products. Before product intervention, we must first identify clear objectives. Regulators have …

Hedging The Aging Society: Challenges To The Insurance Market And Law In Singapore, Christopher C. H. Chen

Research Collection Yong Pung How School Of Law

The greying of society has become a significant problem in Singapore and many parts of Asia, putting great financial pressure on various aspects of the economy, including the insurance and pension markets. In this article, we generally examine certain key aspect of legal infrastructure in Singapore to see if insurance law and financial regulations in Singapore is well equipped to cope with potential problems from an aging society in the near future. In addition to conventional insurance products, we also explore other ways to hedge the so-called ‘longevity risk’ by alternative risk management products in both the wholesale and retail …

The Audacity Of Schooling’S Faith, Tan K. B. Eugene

Research Collection Yong Pung How School Of Law

For a young country starved of sporting success on the world stage, Singapore has lionised and feted its Rio Oympics hero, Joseph Schooling, since his sensational victory in the 100m butterfly event — and rightfully so.

Moving From Tension To Symbiosis In A Distinctive City, Tan K. B. Eugene

Research Collection Yong Pung How School Of Law

In a commentary, SMU Associate Professor of Law Eugene Tan noted that meticulous urban planning has enabled Singapore to attain a high quality of living, delicately balancing the inherent tension between the economy and the environment. He shared his views on relevant issues such as the conflicting interests between Singapore’s immigration policy and its national identity, as well as the inherent tension between the economy and the environment. Associate Prof Tan pointed out that the quest to balance economic growth with environment concerns and social character is not a mere luxury but a growing imperative. He added that as Singapore …

Contingent Value Of Director Identification: The Role Of Government Directors In Monitoring And Resource Provision In An Emerging Economy, Hongjin Zhu, Toru Yoshikawa

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

Although previous studies have explored the value of government directors, less attention has been directed at the antecedents of government directors' engagement in value-adding activities, such as managerial monitoring and resource provision. Drawing on social identity theory, we offer a novel model that specifies how a government director's dual identifications with the focal firm, and with the government individually and interactively affect his or her governance behavior. An investigation of government directors in China shows that their identification with the focal firm enhances monitoring and resource provision, while their identification with the government affects monitoring and resource provision differently. depending …