Asian Studies Commons^™

“Fly Buddha To Mars”: The Co-Production Between Religiosity And Science & Technology At Longquan Monastery, Beijing, Han Zhang, Junxi Qian, Lily Kong

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

This article attempts at a re-theorization towards the symbiosis and co-production of religion, modern science and technology, inspired by theoretical thinking within geographies of religion and science and technology studies (STS). Recent scholarship on the geographies of religion has made substantive advancements in discerning the convergence of religion and secular modernity. However, science and technology (S&T), as an essential condition and driving force of secular modernity, remain peripheral to this ongoing theoretical agenda, yet to be fully incorporated into the analytical framework about the co-constitution of religion and secular modernity, arguably because of the entrench divide between the rationalism of …

Introduction, Jirayudh Sinthuphan

Asian Review

In recent decades, it has been widely accepted that the creative industry in an important sector to global development. This is not just for its direct economic benefits but also for its broader impact on culture, society, and innovation. The creative industry enriches lives, fosters cultural understanding, and drives progress in various domains, making it a cornerstone of sustainable and inclusive development. The compelling collection of articles in this issue of The Asian Review offers readers a rich tapestry of insights, analysis, and reflections to the creative industry. Each essay within this anthology delves into unique aspects of culture, architecture, …

Exploring The Vernacular Architecture In The Eastern Commercial And Tourism Districts Of Mueang Chiang Mai, Aumpika Amloy

Asian Review

This research article aims to analyze the vernacular architecture in  the commercial and tourist districts of eastern Chiang Mai, covering the Chang Moi, Wat Ket, and San Pa Khoi districts. The methods of study are field surveys, historical documentation, and architectural analysis focusing on exploring the architectural elements, materials, and design principles that shape the urban environment in Mueang Chiang Mai. The study results identified six vernacular architecture styles in the study areas: wooden houses, wooden shophouses, wooden-concrete houses, wooden-concrete shophouses, concrete houses, and concrete shophouses. First, the vernacular architecture was built mainly from wood, representing the use of natural …

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 …

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.

Hague Service Convention Enters Into Force In Singapore, Adeline Chong

Research Collection Yong Pung How School Of Law

Singapore acceded to the Hague Convention on the Service Abroad of Judicial and Extrajudicial Documents in Civil or Commercial Matters (‘Service Convention’) on 16 May 2023. It has now entered into force in Singapore on 1 December 2023. Two declarations were lodged: first, against Article 8(1) objecting to the direct service of judicial documents upon persons in Singapore through foreign diplomatic or consular agents unless the documents are to be served upon a national of the State from which the documents originate; and secondly, objecting to service of judicial and extrajudicial documents in Singapore by the methods of transmission set …

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.

The Islamisation Of The English Trust: The Hibah Trust In Malaysia, Hang Wu Tang

Research Collection Yong Pung How School Of Law

Malaysia, being a former English colony, inherited a corpus of English law which includes equity and trusts. In recent times, major banks, financial institutions, and trust companies have reimagined the English trust in combination with Islamic law, by offering an innovation called the hibah trust. This instrument represents the Islamisation of the English trust concept where the Islamic idea of the hibah, an inter vivos gift and the English trust is combined as a wealth management offering to clients. This article explores how the hibah trust works, reasons why institutions may be offering this hybrid instrument, and potential challenges to …

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 …

Using Team Rewards And Individual Assessment To Incentivize Collaboration In Team Projects, Prasart Jongjaroenkamol

Research Collection School Of Accountancy

Team projects are commonly used in higher education across different disciplines to promote cooperation among students. However, achieving this objective can be challenging. To address this issue, educators have explored various strategies, such as implementing peer evaluation or having periodic consultations with teams. In this paper, I present a novel approach to team assessment that combines team rewards with individual assessment. In this assessment, each team member independently takes a quiz, and the team's score is determined by the average performance of its members. Consequently, the team reward becomes intricately tied to the individual learning outcomes of all team members. …

Competition Among Purposes: The Chinese Experience In The Governance Of Climate Change And Energy Transition, Henry S. Gao, Weihuan Zhou

Research Collection Yong Pung How School Of Law

Energy governance at the international level is fraught with difficulties due to the 'competition among purposes' between different bodies of international law. In this paper, we extend this thesis to argue that the same tension may be found in domestic energy governance. Drawing from China's experience in the governance of climate change and energy transition, we analyse how the misalignment of incentives between different actors and the incomplete market reform led to a drastic shift in policy in 2021. We also compare the different approaches in China's energy governance and trade governance and draw some general lessons on how developing …

Criminal Law In Myanmar, Wing Cheong Chan, Mark Mcbride, Neil Morgan, Stanley Yeo

Research Collection Yong Pung How School Of Law

A commentary on the Myanmar Penal Code that describes and critically evaluates the general principles of criminal responsibility contained in the Code. This book was originally published in English in 2016. It was republished in Burmese in 2023.