In an interview, SMU Assistant Professor of Strategic Management & Entrepreneurship (Education) Terence Fan discussed the potential effects of the new taxi fare hikes placed on pickups from Changi Airport and Mandai Wildlife Reserve and whether it could put people off grabbing a taxi from these locations. He also discussed how the surcharge would go straight to the drivers, and how the ride-hailing industry might be impacted by the new fare hikes.
In his new book, Clash: Amazon vs Walmart, SMU Lee Kong Chian Professor of Marketing Nirmalya Kumar gave an analytical account of the fight between the world’s largest retailers, Walmart and Amazon, in their home market of the United States. The book is intended as a warning for all those who are bullish on e-commerce around the world. Prof Nirmalya noted that Amazon still loses tens of billions of dollars every year in online retailing in North America, which contributes a majority of its retailing revenues worldwide.
Sharing her views on why "loan sharks" still attract borrowers, SMU Associate Professor of Finance (Education) Mandy Tham noted that as legal lending requires the credit assessment of the borrower, it is less accessible to “subprime borrowers” whose credit assessment may not meet the loan requirements. “When one could not meet the credit assessment of legal lenders, one has no choice but to borrow from loan sharks as a last resort, especially after exhausting friends and families,” said Assoc Prof Tham.
Commenting on collaborations between content creators and politicians gaining traction worldwide, SMU Senior Lecturer of Communication Management Tracy Loh noted that the government’s hold over society in Singapore was strong and many members of the public would want to pose with ministers and members of parliament and be seen on social media. For sponsored posts, Dr Loh said it was important that such paid partnerships were made clear to followers.
SMU’s Executive MBA programme moved up the ranks to place 3rd in Asia and 27th worldwide in the latest QS Executive MBA Rankings, newly released on 17 July. SMU's Executive MBA programme climbed five spots in the 2024 edition of the highly regarded annual ranking by U.K. analytics firm Quacquarelli Symonds, placing it within the Top 30 globally amongst the 222 Executive MBA programmes rated. In Asia, it ranked 3rd, rising from 10th the previous year.
Commenting on China’s ride-hailing industry hitting saturation point in more cities, SMU Assistant Professor of Strategy & Entrepreneurship (Education) Terence Fan said that despite robust public transport systems in major Chinese cities, ride-hailing boomed in the country because it offered a “reasonable way of life for many ordinary citizens, and made (it much easier for) those wanting to get a ride in fast-growing cities”.
Commenting on sentiments that Singapore cinemas can do more to win audiences, SMU Associate Professor of Marketing Hannah Chang said cinema operators here have been innovating. “Many cinemas have rolled out cutting-edge projection and sound options, and more luxurious seating, and added dine-in options,” she said.
The Vietnam-Singapore Board Forum (VSBF 2024) co-organised by VIETSTAR Consulting and Training JSC and SMU was held in Hanoi on 23 May. The VSBF 2024 focused on the theme "Leading for Tomorrow: Pioneering Green Business Solutions", and explored the upcoming challenges and opportunities arising from economic volatility, climate change, energy transition, green businesses, green technology, and green finance.
SMU Lee Kong Chian Professor of Marketing Nirmalya Kumar has been observing the ups and downs of the retail business for decades – from Amazon’s pioneering of ecommerce to the recent rise of quick commerce.
Commenting on TikTok’s global cuts of hundreds of staff, SMU Senior Lecturer of Communication Management Tracy Loh said TikTok’s move is not unexpected against the backdrop of tech layoffs in recent months. In fact, the firm has slashed headcount later than other big tech companies, she noted. She noted Douyin, TikTok's sister firm in China, has been more aggressive, and added, “What might be slightly more interesting for TikTok is they have said that they are letting people go in the marketing, the content marketing as well as in the user support teams.
