Media Highlights

Media Interviews and Features

Digitally-assisted empowerment: How a simple algorithm helped to improve smaller convenience stores
SMU Associate Professor Liang Xu's research shows how a basic AI system on inventory management can reap significant savings in time and labour for small-to-medium sized convenience store businesses. 
Research@SMU August 2026
 

Boost screening habits, systems for cancer treatment: SMU leads study for a Healthier SG
SMU Associate Professor of Operations Management Gao Yini is spearheading a three-year project, Enhancing Preventive Healthcare in Singapore: Evaluating the Effectiveness of Healthier SG Initiative in Cancer Screening, to explore the short- and long-term effects of cancer screenings and improve preventive healthcare under Healthier SG. This project has been awarded a distinguished Population Health Research Grant, under the auspices of the Singapore Ministry of Health’s National Medical Research Council. Assoc Prof Gao, the project’s principal investigator (PI), noted that screening is “an end-to-end care pathway” and stressed that more screening is not automatically better unless the system is ready. The project involves SMU, MOH, SingHealth, and NUS, with SMU Associate Professor of Operations Management Zhichao Zheng, as one of the co-PIs .
EurekAlert! 28 August 2026
Research@SMU August 2026
 

First from China! Fuzhou University expertise enters Harvard classroom
A hospital management case co-authored by SMU Associate Professor of Operations Management Daniel Zheng and Fuzhou University Professor Li Debiao has been included in the Harvard Business School case library. It is the first Harvard case on research organisational management involving a Chinese public hospital. The case highlights innovative reforms at Fujian Provincial Hospital and will be taught globally alongside leading international healthcare institutions.
FZNEWS, 28 February 2026
HXNEWS, 28 February 2026
 

When the Artic opens, what happens to Singapore?
Commenting on Singapore’s hub status on the development of the Northern Sea Route (NSR), SMU Assistant Professor of Operations Management (Education) Joyce Low opined that any direct impact will be limited because the route is not suitable for most container trade. Therefore, she added that the core containerised trade that sustains Singapore’s transhipment hub role will continue to rely primarily on the Suez-Malacca corridor and intra-Asia networks. Asst Prof Low also said that Singapore has evolved from a transit port into a comprehensive maritime and logistics ecosystem offering bunkering, ship management, finance, arbitration, digital logistics and regional headquarters functions, and these roles cannot be replicated by Arctic ports.
The Business Times Online, 15 February 2026
Think China, 6 February 2026
 

Journey along Northern Sea Route may be reduced with icebreakers, but it is too early to bypass Singapore
Commenting on the journey along the Northern Sea Route, SMU Assistant Professor of Operations Management (Education) Joyce Low said that seasonal electronic products and consumer products may be transported via the Northern Sea Route, reducing export costs to Asia. She added that if the Northern Sea Route is perceived as a complement to existing trade corridors and not a substitute, a win-win situation can be achieved by enhancing the resilience and flexibility of the global transport network. Asst Prof Low said Greenland’s position along North Atlantic trade routes and Arctic sea and air corridors gives it strategic value, adding that its rare earth resources could reach European and Asian markets faster and more cheaply via the Northern Sea Route.
Lianhe Zaobao, p22, 25 January 2026
Lianhe Zaobao Online, 25 January 2026
Related: Zaochenbao, 25 January 2026
 

Overcoming AI scepticism: The case for a Darwinian strategy
In a commentary, SMU Professor Emeritus of Operations Management Arnoud De Meyer observed the scepticism surrounding artificial intelligence’s (AI) real impact, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Prof De Meyer opined that SMEs should focus on automation, augmentation and addition. He added that SMEs needed to begin with strong data discipline and adopt a Darwinian approach by building a culture of openness, making AI use transparent, and adopting a “learn fast, scale fast” mindset. He concluded that SMEs could turn ambiguity into an advantage through solid data, open experimentation, continuous learning, as well as swift execution and diffusion.
The Business Times, p30, 29 November 2025
The Business Times Online, 28 November 2025
 

Singapore factory activity rises even as US imposes tariffs on pharmaceuticals
Singapore’s manufacturing output rose in September 2025 despite US tariffs on pharmaceuticals. SMU Lee Kong Chian Professor of Operations Management Shantanu Bhattacharya said that Asia will continue to have an edge in active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) manufacturing, which is not cost-effective in the US. Prof Bhattacharya attributed this to labour cost, which is much higher in the US compared to Asia.
The Straits Times, pA1, 3 October 2025
Related: The Straits Times Online, 2 October 2025
Related: Nestia, 2 October 2025
Related: Fortune Times, 3 October 2025
 

Is Singapore's cinema scene fading to black, with fewer movie halls?
On 1 August 2025, The Projector announced its departure from its Golden Village (GV) collaboration at Cineleisure, resuming its screenings at Golden Mile Tower. While The Projector has touted the move as a return to its roots, observers argued that its niche focus may also be an obstacle to its success. SMU Lee Kong Chian Professor of Operations Management Shantanu Bhattacharya inferred that The Projector sees lower customer volumes and has a higher fixed cost per offering as an arthouse cinema. Prof Shantanu believes the future of cinema operators is tied to technological advancements, such as interactive cinema, 3D cinema, augmented reality and virtual reality cinematic experiences, which will require a rethink and revamp of infrastructure.
The Business Times, p1-2, 7 August 2025
The Business Times Online, 6 August 2025

'Affordable, safe and rigorous' – but are Singapore’s universities truly elite?
Singapore’s local institutions are increasingly distinguishing themselves in global rankings and drawing international students. Singapore has four ranked universities in the latest QS World University Rankings for 2026, with SMU jumping from 585th to 511st. SMU Provost Professor Alan Chan said that SMU's “steady upward movement” in global rankings over the past year is encouraging. He highlighted that SMU graduates are “known for being career-ready and resilient”, with the university attracting top students through its interdisciplinary, industry-relevant, and responsive approach to emerging global challenges. Commenting on Singaporean scholars’ preference for overseas education, SMU Professor Emeritus of Operations Management Arnoud De Meyer, who co-authored a book, “Building Excellence in Higher Education: Singapore’s Experience”, said that this dates back to founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew where he and many of the pioneers of the early years of Singapore's political development were educated overseas. He added that studying overseas remains a popular option for scholars because of the opportunities to build a strong international network for future placements in the civil service or politics.
CNA Online, 27 June 2025

EFMD Welcomes 29 new members during 2025 General Assemblies
SMU Professor Emeritus of Operations Management Arnoud De Meyer has been appointed as an Honorary Member of European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD). The honorary membership recognises him for leaving a lasting mark on global business education, contributing to strengthening international quality standards, and advancing the EFMD mission.
EFMD Global Online, 16 June 2025
 

Analyts: Airfares may rise in the short term, Changi Airport needs to attract other budget airlines

Jetstar Asia’s decision to cease operations on July 31 has raised concerns over short-term airfare hikes and the need for Changi Airport to find replacements for four exclusive routes. SMU Assistant Professor of Operations Management (Education) Joyce Low said the move was expected, citing rising operational costs –like fuel – as a growing challenge for low-cost carriers. She noted that Changi Airport must now step up efforts to attract other budget airlines to cover the affected routes.
Lianhe Zaobao, p2, 12 June 2025
Zaobao Online, 11 June 2025
 

Tiny solar-plus-battery kits yield annual savings exceeding hardware cost

SMU Assistant Professor of Operations Management Bhavani Shanker Uppari and another academic conducted a study titled “Impact of solar lighting kits on the lives of the poor”. The study found that distributing free solar-plus-battery kits to rural households in Ghana has positive effects on expenditure patterns, children’s education, safety, and security. The authors said that off-grid electricity can be an effective solution for those waiting for grid electricity to become accessible, cheaper and reliable. 
PV Magazine Online, 13 May 2025
 

Tariff policy unlikely to bring supply chains back to the US
In a commentary on U.S. tariff policy, SMU Associate Professor of Operations Management Fang Xin opined that U.S President Donald Trump's efforts to "reshore" supply chains to the U.S. are unlikely to succeed. Instead, these policies may accelerate the global reshuffling and regional diversification of supply chains. Rather than relocating operations back to a high-cost, industrially underdeveloped, and uncertain U.S. market, multinational corporations are more likely to spread their operations across emerging markets to reduce trade war risks. Assoc Prof Fang believes that with the intensification of the trade war – particularly as Mr Trump suspends reciprocal tariffs for countries other than China –regions such as ASEAN, South Asia, and Latin America will increasingly absorb China’s manufacturing capacity and serve as alternative suppliers for the U.S. market.
Lianhe Zaobao, p24, 17 April 2025
Zaobao Online, 17 April 2025
 

Optimizing Screening for Colorectal Cancer
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a common––but preventable––cancer. Early detection can lower mortality rates, as CRC often has no symptoms in the early stages. But screening programs often face low participation and poor take-up of follow-up tests. This research, by Professors Sarah Yini Gao, Yan He, Ruijie Zhang, Zhichao (Daniel) ZHENG, Shao Wei Lam, and Emile Kwong-Wei Tan, suggests how to improve screening and optimize public health and resources.

LinkedIn - Management Science, April 2025
 

Contributing to research impact in urban last-mile delivery

Discover how SMU's impactful research on urban last-mile delivery, recognised by the Financial Times, is shaping sustainable business models and reducing congestion and pollution. 
SMU Engage, 13 March 2025
 

Why the right payment system matters for the poor

SMU Assistant Professor Bhavani Shanker highlighted that private solar companies, over the past decade, have offered pay-as-you-go (PAYGo) solar panels to impoverished communities in Asia and Africa. This system allows flexible payments but has led to delays and defaults, threatening the financial viability of these companies. Bankruptcies result in poor families losing their access to electricity, which boosts job creation and education. Many customers are unaware that their payments are insufficient, leading to equipment repossessions. Asst Prof Shanker suggested better ways to help consumers understand their payment status and its impact on their access to electricity.
Lianhe Zaobao, p17, 23 December 2024
Zaobao Online, 23 December 2024
 

Patents signal positive impact of business school insights on innovation

SMU Professor of Operations Management Lim Yun Fong, SMU Associate Professor of Operations Management Fang Xin and another academic co-authored a paper, “Urban consolidation centre or peer-to-peer platform? The solution to urban last-mile delivery”, which was published in the journal Production and Operations Management. He shared that he was “thrilled” when the Financial Times told him his academic paper on last-mile delivery had been cited in a patent application by ecommerce company eBay, as it shows their research has some impact. He added, "It’s always more rewarding to work on research projects motivated by real settings in industry. It creates more opportunities for us to interact with industry, and means our students are more engaged when we share our research findings in the classroom.” The paper concluded that having a central location for deliveries in cities can be better than using a system where individual drivers respond to customer orders (placed on an app), collect the product from the shop/restaurant and deliver it to the customer’s address.
Financial Times Online, 14 November 2024
 

Transparency and rigorous oversight urged for U.S. Medicare Advantage program

New findings from a team of researchers including SMU Assistant Professor of Operations Management She Zhaowei called for transparency and rigorous oversight of the United States' largest healthcare capitation programme, Medicare Advantage (MA). According to their paper, "Strategic Cross-Subsidisation in Healthcare Capitation Programmes: Evidence from Medicare Advantage", some MA health plans conduct strategic cross-subsidisation, which allows them to unfairly increase their profits and resulting in reduced care quality for sicker patients and obvious inequity in care. Asst Prof She said, "For each one-point increase in a patient's risk score, their annual 'spending-cost difference' (the gap between what MA plans spend on a patient vs. what they receive in payments) decreases by over $9,000." These findings should alert policymakers to revisit the design and implementation of Medicare Advantage Plans to end this unfair process and enable the Centres for Medicare & Medicaid Services to more effectively administer the MA programme.
MSN Online, 9 October 2024
News Medical Online, 8 October 2024
 

CNA Explains: Original equipment manufacturers or OEMs, and why companies rely on them

Commenting on original equipment manufacturers (OEM) being sold on e-commerce sites under different brand names, SMU Professor Emeritus of Operations Management Arnoud De Meyer said that in the case of the Apple iPhone, the whole product is assembled by OEMs, from multiple electronics manufacturers and suppliers such as Foxconn and Pegatron. He said having an OEM was "very common practice" for companies – and thus unavoidable for consumers. Prof De Meyer also commented on the benefits of using OEMs, and explained, "It is all about focus and specialisation. This may lead to better products produced at higher volumes and thus at lower cost because of the economies of scale." However, he also pointed to the example of problematic engines produced by aerospace manufacturer Pratt & Whitney to highlight how using an OEM could mean a lack of oversight over the production process. Prof De Meyer also shared his observation that a consumer's purchase decision is almost always a mix of rationality and emotions.
CNA Online, 18 September 2024
 

Like the Olympics, education is not always about winning

In a commentary, SMU Professor Emeritus of Operations Management Arnoud De Meyer discussed the need to measure and reward learning for the effort put in and how students challenge themselves. He pointed out the need for a more multifaceted approach to measuring learning success, and shared that the University has invested in developing systems where students define their learning objectives and then measure the progress they make over the course of a term.
The Straits Times, pB3, 13 August 2024
The Straits Times Online, 13 August 2024
 

Chinese Food Chains in Southeast Asia

SMU Associate Professor Fang Xin highlights that Luckin Coffee’s Southeast Asia expansion will test whether Chinese brands can move beyond their domestic growth playbook. While Luckin is eyeing Malaysia after gaining traction in Singapore, Prof. Fang cautions that Southeast Asia is not simply “China ten years ago.” Instead of a “lower-dimensional” market, Chinese companies face a different competitive landscape that requires deep localisation, cross-cultural management and a strong local team.
Huxiu, 14 July 2024

Number of new ships arrived last year reached record high of 3.09 billion gross tons

SMU Assistant Professor of Operations Management Pan Meiling said the shipping industry may have a significant impact on the economy, local prices and inflation. Fluctuations in shipping costs and fuel prices may experience considerable volatility. Therefore, maritime operators, manufacturers, retailers, and even consumers should closely monitor and understand market conditions and make corresponding adjustments.
Lianhe Zaobao, pA1, 13 January 2024
Zaobao Online, 13 January 2024

Managing a city of electric vehicles: How can this happen (Helen Zhou)

SMU City Perspectives, 22 December 2023

OM Prof's paper on charging electric vehicles wins best publication award (Helen Zhou)

Newsroom, 8 December 2023

A Smarter Way to Design Business Strategies to Serve the Poor (Bhavani Shanker Uppari)

INSEAD Knowledge, 5 October 2023

Study on Electric Vehicle Charging to be Published (Helen Zhou)

Newsroom, 24 March 2023

Sustainable strategic planning: 3 ways to become a responsible organisation (Helen Zhou)

SMU City Perspectives, 7 February 2023

Charging smart for profit and benefit (Helen Zhou)

Research@SMU November 2022

Providing Off-Grid Light to Poor Communities (Bhavani Shanker Uppari)

ORMS Today Magazine, 12 April 2022

A Doctor of Philosophy focused on Healthcare (Gao Yini)

Newsroom, 7 February 2022

Shedding Light on Solar Challenges (Helen Zhou)

The SMU Blog, 14 January 2022

Serguei Netessine and co-authors win Public Sector Operations Research award (Bhavani Shanker Uppari)

Amazon Science, 12 November 2021

Riding The Solar Power Wave (Helen Zhou)

Money Mind, CNA Insider, 12 February 2021

Fast Fashion Companies Are Closing Their Stores (Fang Xin)

Zaobao Online, 31 July 2020

The Impact of Mega-Ships (Joyce Low)

Port Technology, April 2020

Making hospital medical decisions safer (Daniel Zheng)

Research@SMU November 2019

Cosmeceutical Retailing Expands in Singapore (Fang Xin)

Zaobao Online, 13 September 2019

Managing shipping's ever-increasing vessel size... and shrinking margins (Joyce Low)

Research@SMU August 2019

The rebirth of a maritime nation with a mega port set to open (Joyce Low)

CNA Commentary, 7 July 2019

To tackle child labour, start with consumers (Fang Xin)

Research@SMU May 2019

Lighting up Rwanda: Assessing the demand for pay-as-you-go lighting (Bhavani Shanker Uppari)

International Growth Centre Report, 26 April 2019

Greening the supply chain one business model at a time (Buket Avci)

Research@SMU Issue 45, 30 June 2017

When the switch flips on electricity prices (Helen Zhou)

Research@SMU Issue 45, 30 June 2017

Reinventing Retail (Lim Yun Fong)

Research@SMU Issue 38, 28 June 2016

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