SMU Assistant Professor of Organisational Behaviour & Human Resources Ko Yea Hee said that workplace design plays a huge role in shaping employees' experiences and their performance outcomes. Asst. Prof Ko added that open-concept offices not only fall short in promoting collaborations but could also be disruptive to focused work. Activity-based workspaces, in contrast, are more ideal as employees could choose their spot depending on what they are working on.
Experts said that with many countries wavering on their climate goals, Singapore's consistent approach to tackling climate change would be attractive to firms which are serious about reducing their emissions. SMU Associate Professor of Finance Liang Hao shared that Singapore's higher carbon price and stricter environmental regulations could actually be a feature, not a bug, for leading global firms that are serious about sustainability.
SMU Senior Lecturer of Organisational Behaviour & Human Resources Paul Lim said that for job seekers, the key is staying up to date on industry trends in what employees - and their automated systems - are looking for. Dr Lim also does not recommend copying and pasting the job description into resumes, as they are unlikely to make the shortlist on a more sophisticated system. He added that some organisations now use technology to interview candidates before progressing to an interview with a human hiring manager.
SMU Associate Professor of Strategy & Entrepreneurship (Education) and Academic Director of SMU's Business Families Institute Kenneth Goh noted that heritage restaurants often operate with legacy cost structures, operating models and business models that are deeply tied to a past era, which serves as a constraint. Assoc Prof Goh added, "...
The Conference on FinTech Advances in Emerging Markets 2025 concluded successfully at The Chinese University of Hongkong-Shenzhen, drawing scholars and experts worldwide to explore fintech's role in emerging markets. Topics included BigTech lending. Buy Now, Pay Later regulation, and green credit. SMU was represented by Professor of Finance Zhang Hong.
Businesses at Leisure Park Kallang are grappling with declining foot traffic and dwindling sales following the March closure of its long-time anchor tenant, Cold Storage. SMU Associate Professor of Marketing (Education) Seshan Ramaswami said that mass marketers like supermarkets and cinemas often lead to destination retailing, where shoppers make that outlet the reason for visiting the mall, and the other smaller tenants then benefit from the foot traffic that is created.
In a podcast interview, SMU Associate Provost (Undergraduate Education) and Associate Professor of Marketing (Education) Michelle Lee shared her perspectives on the evolving role of generative AI in education. Responding to recent concerns over student misuse, she noted that AI can be a legitimate tool for research or citations - provided it is properly acknowledged and used within academic guidelines.
CNA938 spoke with SMU Assistant Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship (Education) Terence Fan on the potential impact of the RTS Link. He expects a shift from private vehicles to the train, as commuters find it more convenient. The RTS Link may also attract new travellers who don't typically cross the Causeway. On pricing, Asst Prof Fan noted it will likely start low to encourage adoption, with adjustments based on demand. He added that the RTS is designed for regular commuters, marking a significant improvement over older rail system.
Chinese customs authorities recently seized over 46,000 counterfeit Labubu toys, known as "Lafufus" highlighting a growing black market that exploits consumers and violates intellectual property rights. In an interview, SMU Associate Professor of Marketing Hannah Chang discussed the implications of these fakes flooding the market. Assoc Prof Chang explained how such knockoffs can undermine the Labubu brand, impact market dynamics, and affect collectors who value authenticity causing down-stream impact.
SMU Senior Lecturer of Organisational Behaviour & Human Resources Paul Lim explained that candidate ghosting is a reflection of power dynamics in the job market, where companies prioritising efficiency may not respond to unsuccessful candidates in an employer's market. Conversely, in a candidate's market, job seekers may ghost employers.
