Speaking at the recent Economist Impact Sustainability Week Asia conference held in Bangkok, SMU Associate Professor of Finance and Co-Director of Singapore Green Finance Centre Hao Liang noted that while there has been much debate about green finance, transition finance is more relevant to South-east Asia given that many economies have yet to fully adopt clean energy and wean themselves off fossil fuels.
In an interview, SMU Associate Professor of Organisational Behaviour & Human Resources Tan Hwee Hoon shared her thoughts about happiness in the workplace. Assoc Prof Tan opined that happiness results from satisfaction at the workplace and the outcome of being motivated. The relationship between productivity and happiness is stronger at the organisational level than at the individual level, and leaders at an organisation thus play a huge role in ensuring that happiness is contagious at the workplace.
Commenting on Member of Parliament Saktiandi Supaat's suggestion to introduce distance-based charging to increase the total vehicle population "by a certain percentage, while still achieving our car-lite vision", SMU Assistant Professor of Strategy & Entrepreneurship (Education) Terence Fan said the government's considering of the proposal is acknowledging the pandemic and post-pandemic choice made by a "significant group" of Singaporeans to relocate further away from the traditional Central Business District area.
Commenting on the 'right to disconnect' from work, SMU Associate Professor of Organisational Behaviour & Human Resources Tan Hwee Hoon said Singapore workers are likely to take work performance as an indication of self-worth, and find it hard to disconnect from work. She also explained how Singapore's political leadership has played and continues to play a “very big” part in inculcating these worldviews on work.
On the Certificate of Entitlement (COE) premiums closing mostly higher in the latest bidding exercise, Assistant Professor of Strategy & Entrepreneurship Terence Fan comments that Singapore is likely facing a downward trend of pricing when facing an increase in COEs and that it is still debatable whether the government should implement a separated pool of COEs for private hire vehicles.
While experts believe InterContinental Singapore hotel's offer of a free night to guests whose plans have to be abandoned due to heavy rain can create some buzz for the hotel in a crowded and competitive industry, its thunder may be stolen by other factors that a visitor will consider when choosing a place to stay. SMU Associate Professor of Marketing (Education) Seshan Ramaswami said other factors include price, location, amenities, and an increasing attention to sustainable practices.
Commenting on Singaporeans travelling the world to watch Taylor Swift's concerts, SMU Associate Professor of Marketing (Education) Seshan Ramaswami said spending on experiences creates more lasting happiness for consumers than spending on tangible products. He added that local fans’ strong urge to catch the superstar as many times as possible can be due to the scarcity principle, where consumers are more inclined to purchase something in low supply and high demand.
Commenting on the authorities giving grant for Taylor Swift's concerts, SMU Associate Professor of Marketing (Education) Seshan Ramaswami said Singapore is drawing more than just tourists with its efforts to establish itself as a city with world-class recreation and entertainment infrastructure capable of hosting significant events. In the longer run, he said, it can attract foreign talent, especially in the creative industries, and companies to consider Singapore as their Asian or global base.
Commenting on the Central Provident Fund (CPF) Life annuity scheme, SMU Associate Professor of Finance (Education) Mandy Tham, whose research interests are in finance and wealth management, said that although the Special Account can be thought of as an investment account that earns returns from a floor interest rate, CPF Life is not an investment account but serves the purpose of ensuring our "minimum lifelong financial sustainability".
Commenting on more e-hongbao given out in Singapore this Chinese New Year, SMU Lee Kong Chian Professor of Marketing Kapil Tuli said more people started using e-hongbao during the pandemic as they saw it as a safer way of gifting than physical red packets. They are also convenient, environment-friendly and reduce the problem of giving physical packets with the wrong denomination, he added.
