SMU Assistant Professor of Finance Aurobindo Ghosh noted that global best practices in sustainability reporting could boost funding for companies listed in Singapore. He warned that mandatory reporting might initially deter potential issuers from listing on the SGX. However, as more exchanges adopt these standards and investment sources shift towards them, this issue would lessen. Credible and sustainable reporting standards would ensure a more sustainable future for SGX listings, according to Asst Prof Ghosh.
Discussing the increasing popularity of advent calendars and the psychological needs they address for consumers, SMU Associate Professor of Marketing Michelle Lee noted that this trend is largely fueled by social media. "People are curious about what’s hidden behind those little doors and drawers, and content creators cater to this curiosity to some extent by making unboxing videos," she said. "These videos generate significant viewership, enhancing engagement."
Applications to Master of Business Administration (MBA) programmes rose to the highest level in five years in 2024 amid a slowing economy and an uncertain labour market. SMU Academic Director of Executive Masters of Business Programme and Principal Lecturer of Finance Ang Ser Keng said applications for its MBA programme have been “holding steady” over the past five years. Enrolment fees for local universities are costly, and SMU’s January intake students will pay S$76,300 in fees.
Commenting on online shopping overconsumption, SMU Assistant Professor of Marketing Shilpa Madan said, “E-commerce platforms use advanced algorithms to analyse your browsing habits, past purchases and preferences to suggest products tailored to your tastes, making shoppers feel like the store ‘gets them’.” SMU Associate Professor of Marketing Hannah Chang added that retailers use psychology by offering free shipping for minimum spending. Both noted that increased sales drive up logistical demands, and overconsumption may lead to financial pressure.
SMU Assistant Professor of Marketing Shilpa Madan explains that cute things, like Labubu dolls, activate primal instincts and anthropomorphism in humans. This tendency to attribute human traits to non-human entities provides a sense of companionship and comfort. Nostalgia also plays a role, as these dolls remind consumers of childhood, motivating purchases through positive memories. Additionally, Labubu dolls foster social belonging and identity expression among fans.
SMU Assistant Professor Bhavani Shanker highlighted that private solar companies, over the past decade, have offered pay-as-you-go (PAYGo) solar panels to impoverished communities in Asia and Africa. This system allows flexible payments but has led to delays and defaults, threatening the financial viability of these companies. Bankruptcies result in poor families losing their access to electricity, which boosts job creation and education. Many customers are unaware that their payments are insufficient, leading to equipment repossessions.
China's securities regulatory agencies have issued new instructions to prevent economists and other practitioners from publishing information that contradicts central policies. SMU Associate Professor of Finance Fu Fangjian noted that some industry professionals publish false statements for interest groups, harming investors and the industry's credibility. Despite last year's penalties for non-compliant behaviour, further regulation is needed to prevent the entire industry from being demonised due to individual comments.
In an interview, SMU Assistant Professor of Strategy & Entrepreneurship (Education) Terence Fan said that despite the rise in certificate of entitlement (COE) premiums in the last bidding exercise of 2024, there appears to be a general downward trend of COE prices, albeit the occasional wobbles. While up to 20,000 additional COEs will be put out gradually from February 2025, people are aware that the impact will not be a “big bang”. Instead, people assume that if they do need a car quick, they can take advantage of the year-end sales that are ongoing.
In a commentary, SMU Associate Professor of Communication Management (Practice) Tamas Makany discussed the distinct personalities of artificial intelligence (AI) assistants such as Claude, ChatGPT and Gemini, and how such distinct personalities are becoming the premium that shapes user choice and business success. He also explained how the surge in AI personality investments signals a fundamental shift in the market that raw computational power no longer guarantees success due to the human tendency to seek meaningful connections.
Commenting on the number of personal mobility device (PMD) accidents falling significantly in the years since the ban of these devices from footpaths, SMU Assistant Professor of Strategy & Entrepreneurship (Education) Terence Fan said the data alone implies that the ban has been a success.
