Impact investing, which counts a variety of causes among its beneficiaries, is much harder to quantify, compared with carbon accounting. According to panellists at the seventh annual Global Research Alliance for Sustainable Finance and Investment (GRASFI) conference on 2 September at SMU, there is currently no perfect solution. Koh Lin-Net, institutional relations lead at Temasek Trust hoped the academic community could help the sector collect the data cost-effectively using technology.
Commenting on Cathay Pacific grounding 48 planes for checks on Monday after a Zurich-bound flight had to return to the city shortly after take-off, SMU Assistant Professor of Strategy & Entrepreneurship (Education) Terence Fan said the Airbus 350 planes had an "airworthiness directive" issued on them by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency this year.
Commenting on DFI Retail Group closing its Giant stores in Singapore and exiting the Malaysian grocery market, SMU Lee Kong Chian Professor of Marketing Kapil Tuli said DFI could be pivoting to the high-end market, where there are likely to be better margins. “That makes sense (for DFI) because Cold Storage stores tend to be in more affluent neighbourhoods, and that affordability parameter is in place,” he said.
Commenting on Cathay Pacific grounding 48 planes for checks on Monday after a Zurich-bound flight had to return to the city shortly after take-off, SMU Assistant Professor of Strategy & Entrepreneurship (Education) Terence Fan said defective engine lines could affect fuel flow, which is "urgent and of critical importance". "This seems to be a mechanical issue... one would definitely not want the same to be found in two out of two engines on the same aircraft mid-air," said Asst Prof Fan.
Commenting on the popularity of blind boxes in Asia, SMU Associate Professor of Marketing Hannah Chang noted that their success relies on consumer psychology, driven by surprise and uncertainty. She argued that while the chance element might resemble gambling, key differences exist: blind boxes always provide an item, unlike gambling, which may offer nothing in return. However, she also emphasised the importance of responsible consumption to keep the experience enjoyable and safe.
SMU Associate Professor Kenneth Goh, the new Singapore Aquatics President, has introduced a SwimSingapore national swimming framework to improve standards. He envisions every Singaporean becoming a proficient swimmer and making aquatic sports accessible, promoting a healthier and more active nation. After the Olympics, the team aims to retain dominance at the 2025 SEA Games, win more medals at the 2026 Asian Games, and perform better at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
SMU Associate Professor of Marketing (Education) Seshan Ramaswami clarified that oat milk is termed "milk" even though it's not from animals because the naming aims to “help consumers instantly grasp the main benefit of using it”. He noted that calling plant-based drinks “milk” instead of “juice” or “drink” indicates their primary role as a milk substitute. He further mentioned that this naming strategy by plant-based product producers has led to legal disputes with traditional dairy manufacturers.
In a commentary, SMU Associate Provost (Undergraduate Education) and Associate Professor of Marketing (Education) Michelle Lee, who teaches a course in sustainable consumption, discussed the need to curb consumerism and gave advice on how people can curb their consumption. She concluded that instead of waiting on companies to innovate and offer more sustainable alternatives, we should take matters into our own hands and simply curb our consumption.
SMU Assistant Professor of Finance (Education) Aurobindo Ghosh discussed the 2023 Singlife Financial Freedom Index. The survey of 3,000 Singaporeans and permanent residents aged 18 to 65 found that over 40% feel they might never achieve financial freedom. On average, respondents estimated needing $612,000 for financial freedom, an increase of 8% from last year, with a 30-year timeline to save this amount. Additionally, 80% aim to retire by 65, expecting to need over $2,800 monthly for a comfortable life.
Commenting on the TikTok trend known as “underconsumption core”, SMU Associate Professor of Marketing (Education) Seshan Ramaswami said that when making their lists, participants would be more conscious of why they are buying things. They may then realise that some purchases are to escape from deeper emotional issues, and find healthier ways to address these instead. Assoc Prof Ramaswami also said the underconsumption trend could be a bane for retailers, whose profits are closely tied to consumer spending, but it could also create other business opportunities.
