Jetstar Asia's decision to cease operations on July 31 has raised concerns over short-term hikes and the need for Changi Airport to find replacements for four exclusive routes. SMU Assistant Professor of Operations Management (Education) Joyce Low said the move was expected, citing rising operational costs -life fuel - as a growing challenge for low-cost carriers. She noted that Changi Airport must now step up efforts to attract other budget airlines to cover the affected routes.
In recent years, trading cards have become increasingly popular in Singapore, with many consumers hooked on buying, trading and collecting them online. As demand has grown, prices for rare cards have soared - and scams have surged in tandem. SMU Associate Professor of Marketing Hannah H. Chang explained that this hype often causes consumers to lower their guard, as the mismatch between supply and demand creates a sense of urgency. "When a seller offers a rare, limited-edition card on a platform, it naturally seems more attractive and valuable," she said.
Singapore's carbon tax revenue for 2024 is projected at $642 million, significantly lower than the estimated $1 billion based on the new rate of $25 per tonne. SMU Associate Professor of Finance Liang Hao said the shortfall is likely due to transitional allowances granted to major emitters to maintain competitiveness. he noted that the scale of the gap suggests these allowances were a major contributor to the lower-than-expected tax revenue projection for 2024.
Grab is launching its own taxi fleet, GrabCab with the first batch of vehicles hitting the roads in July. SMU Assistant Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship (Education) Terence Fan noted that Grab is mainly targeting newcomers or inactive taxi license holders. However, drivers from other taxi firms may also switch if Grab offers more attractive terms. Asst Prof Fan added that GrabCab's entry could drive overall taxi rental rates down.
SMU Associate Professor of Marketing (Education) Seshan Ramaswami attributed Chinese brands' ability to offer good quality at low prices to factors like lower worker and input costs, efficient supply chains, government subsidies, and potentially laxer regulations that do not fully reflect social costs. Addressing the stigma of low-cost, mass-produced goods, he stated that these products, including those from global players like Ikea, provide affordability despite not being buildt to last.
SMU Associate Professor of Marketing Hannah H. Chang said the queuing phenomenon in Singapore is an example of social proofing - in which people make decisions by following the actions of those around them - that has found special resonance. She also linked queue culture to kiasuism where people are afraid of missing out if they do not queue with others.
China's anti-corruption efforts in the Internet sector have intensified in recent years, with more cases involving younger individuals and low-level staff engaging in major graft. SMU Associate Professor of Finance Fu Fangjian noted that new business models naturally give rise to new forms of corruption, especially when safeguards are lacking. "This is human nature," he said.
Washington recently accused Beijing of not honouring its tariff commitments and delaying the easing of export restrictions on key minerals like rare earths. In response, Beijing criticised the U.S on June 2 for unilaterally escalating trade tension and vowed to take strong action to defend its rights. SMU Associate Professor of Finance Fu Fangjian noted that ahead of the second round of China-U.S. trade talks, the Trump administration is ramping up pressure while China remains firm on not making concessions.
Whether in public policy or business operations, diverse teams and perspectives are essential for success. Despite an increasingly polarised international environment, Singapore will continue to build a more inclusive culture, highlighting it as one of the nation's strengths. At the Asia Tech x Singapore Summit, organised by the Infocomm Media Development Authority, a panel titled "From Success to Excellence" was held on Thursday (May 29). The panel discussion was moderated by SMU Professor Emeritus of Finance (Practice) Annie Koh.
New research led by SMU Assistant Professor of Marketing Shilpa Madan, published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, investigated how individual differences in stress reactivity affect sociocultural learning. Her research found that individuals with higher stress reactivity learn new sociocultural norms more quickly. Asst Prof Madan explained that this challenges the traditional view of stress as a hindrance, suggesting instead that stress can be a catalyst for accelerated learning and adjustment in unfamiliar cultural settings.
