China, Iran, and Russia are expanding barter trade to circumvent European and US sanctions. SMU Associate Professor of Finance Fu Fangjian noted that bartering is inefficient and unsustainable but reflects growing efforts to bypass dollar settlements, further fragmenting global trade. He added that if such alternatives become widespread, they could eventually undermine the US dollar’s dominance and lead to financial decoupling from the US-led system.
Commenting on how gender plays a role in securing funds, SMU Associate Professor of Strategy & Entrepreneurship (Education) Kenneth Goh said that while women bring a broader set of legitimate motivations to entrepreneurship, the potential consequence is that they may "unintentionally reinforce societal biases that cast doubts on women’s entrepreneurial abilities". He said that these biases could create barriers to accessing capital, business networks, and other resources that enhance early growth.
In an interview with Money FM, SMU Assistant Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship (Education) Terence Fan said the continued use of private-hire vehicles for cross-border travel persists because of their convenience, despite being illegal. He noted that while these services pose safety risks, strict enforcement could hurt drivers reliant on such trips and push operations underground.
In a commentary, SMU Professor of Marketing (Practice) Sabine Benoit examined society’s fascination with celebrity engagement rings, noting that oversized diamonds serve as symbols of love, status, and branding, but risk distorting expectations by equating “big love” with “big rings.” In contrast, Prof Benoit highlighted Taylor Swift’s more modest choice and other engagements focused on personal meaning, such as heirloom rings or simple gestures, to emphasise that true love is better expressed through daily acts of care and sincerity rather than extravagant displays.
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.
Commenting on the popularity of the Singapore Grand Prix, SMU Associate Professor of Marketing (Education) Seshan Ramaswami said that the race appeals to different segments of Singaporeans. Assoc Prof Ramaswami noted that for casual spectators, the race offered a rare chance to experience a major international event at home, while for avid fans, it was an opportunity to see their favourite drivers up close. He added that many others are primarily music fans, with the race serving only as a side event and their tickets driven by the artistes performing nearby.
Commenting on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in academia, SMU Associate Professor of Marketing (Education) Seshan Ramaswami said that AI does not have the specific domain knowledge needed to properly grade papers nor the human connection with the students. Assoc Prof Ramaswami believes students would prefer an instructor’s judgment, although it might be subjective, rather than that of “an impersonal piece of software”.
In a commentary, SMU Associate Professor of Strategy & Entrepreneurship Chen Liang observed that a US consortium led by Oracle, Silver Lake, and Andreessen Horowitz is poised to take an 80% stake in a new TikTok US entity, leaving ByteDance with under 20%, with governance shifting to a US-led board and Oracle as data steward.
Commenting on the success of Pop Mart, SMU Assistant Professor of Marketing Shilpa Madan said that Pop Mart has turned Labubu into a growth engine by fusing cute aesthetics with casino-level unpredictability via surprise-box rarity, limited drops, and social media unboxings that create an addictive loop of anticipation, reveal, and community status. However, she noted that Pop Mart must weigh risks from both consumer behaviour and the wider environment, warning that desirability could decline without fresh silhouettes, storylines, or collaborations.
Commenting on the significance of signboards, SMU Associate Professor of Marketing (Education) Seshan Ramaswami said signs have the biggest impact on occasional visitors, “for whom visual imagery is what makes the first impression”. However, he added that whether it translated into a sale depends on the combination of assortment, price, and indications of quality, such as a long line of customers, or perhaps an online review or rating average.
