HIGHTLIGHTS
Amazing Race Helps Combat Neuro-Muscular Disease
SCMP online carried a sponsored article featuring the second annual Hong Kong Business Amazing Race cohosted by HKUST MBA students and MetLife HK. The race brought together more than 40 teams of participants from the Hong Kong community. They were tasked to tackle a series of mental and physical challenges in different Hong Kong locations. The aim was to provide an enjoyable test of mind and muscle, while raising funds for the Hong Kong Neuro-Muscular Disease Association.
OTHERS
Freedom of Speech (31 Aug)
Hong Kong Economic Journal carried a commentary by Professor Francis Lui, Director of the Center for Economic Development. He discussed freedom of speech, amid the recent statements made by the University of Hong Kong and the University of Chicago in the US on this controversial topic. Professor Lui explained the relation of freedom of speech and two related concepts “Trigger Warnings” and “Safe Spaces”, with which students could be warned about and opt out of exposure to potentially challenging material. Link
Global Financial Market Prediction after US Interest Rise (30 Aug)
Hong Kong Economic Journal carried a commentary (解牛集) by Adjunct Professor Jerome Yen, Department of Finance. Professor Yen said the US Federal Reserve was likely to increase the interest rate, as soon as 20-21 September, in its meeting. As uncertainties in the US such as the recent stock market surge driven by hot money, and in China where structural reforms remained underway, the global market might see a major correction by the end of this year or early next year. Link
Internship Experience in China (27 Aug)
HK Commercial Daily, Wen Wei Po and HK Economic Timesreported on an internship program in China co-organized the HK Federation of Trade Unions and the China Banking Association. Some 40 students from local tertiary institutions have joined the program and shared their internship experience in the mainland banking industry. A second-year management student of the School talked about the differences of the banking services in Hong Kong and across the border. Link
The Family Office: The Glue to Keep Chinese Families Together (24 Aug)
An online publication of the Practitioner of the Family Firm Institute carried an article by Adjunct Professor Roger King and Winnie Peng, respectively, Director and Associate Director of the Tanoto Center for Asian Family Business and Entrepreneurship Studies, as well as Mr Christian Stewart, head of a HK-based consulting firm on family business. The article presents the idea of using a family office as the “glue” to maintain family unity in light of the evolving demands of succession planning and preserving the business. A family office with necessary adaptations may help regenerate the shared identity for Chinese families. Link
Freedom and Independence in Hong Kong (23 Aug)
Hong Kong Economic Journal carried a commentary by Professor Francis Lui, Director of the Center for Economic Development. Professor Lui discussed about freedom, which he opined should come with some “constrains” - such as under the condition that the right of others should not be affected. He also talked about the growing call for independence in Hong Kong and its negative impacts on the city. Link
Brexit Triggers Senior Executive Salary Reform (23 Aug)
Hong Kong Economic Journal carried a commentary (解牛集) by Christine Chow, Adjunct Associate Professor, Department of Finance. She said the “unfairness” and “grievances” in the UK especially from the working class, was one of the reasons leading to Brexit. As a result, its new Prime Minister Theresa May called for a reform on corporate governance, including senior executive remuneration packages, to enable all members of public could share and benefit from economic prosperity. Link
Why Wikipedia is Good for Investors (17 Aug)
SCMP Education Post carried a research summary by Associate Professor Michael Zhang, ISOM. His study shows that Wikipedia has significantly enriched the information environment, and is therefore helping reduce some of the information asymmetry between managers and investors. This is even helping managers too, by alleviating their litigation concerns. Link
Challenges of Declining Investment from Private Enterprises (16 Aug)
Hong Kong Economic Journal carried a commentary (解牛集) by Professor JT Li, Senior Associate Dean and Head of Department of Management. He expressed concern over the increasing investment from state-owned enterprises in China, whereas investments from private enterprises were declining. It would inevitably affect the nation-wide GDP and employment opportunities. He called for a level playing field and policy transparency to incentivize private investment in China. Link
Comment on Japanese Bonds (15 Aug)
Hong Kong 01 carried a report on the stimulus package introduced by the Japan government. Professor Edwin Lai, Department of Economics, was quoted as saying that the monetary-easing measures by the US was more effective compared with that of the Japan, as the US also benefited from its thriving IT and innovation industry as well as a growing labor force. Link
DSE Student Wishes to be QF Student (8 Aug)
Several papers including Apple Daily, Ming Pao and Wen Wei Po reported that a DSE student who once lost his way but eventually picked up his momentum and gained 33 points at DSE this year. He said he wished to enter Quantitative Finance (QF) at HKUST. The story also reported that HKU and CUHK received 18 and four DSE top scorers respectively, while HKUST got one. Link
Impact of Grassroot Groups on Politics and Economies (9 Aug)
Hong Kong Economic Journal carried a commentary (解牛集) by Adjunct Professor Jerome Yen, Department of Finance. Professor Yen discussed the growing influence of grassroot groups in a society as revealed in the Brexit referendum and the public reaction to the racial remarks made by the US presidential candidates Donald Trump. Link
Lottery Prizes and the Adage that 'Less is More' (3 Aug)
SCMP Education Post carried a research summary by Professor Anaimalai V Muthukrishnan, Head of the Marketing Department. His study with other researchers looks at the efficacy and cost of promotional lottery and offers some insights for marketers. They find promotional lotteries with no consolation prizes are not only cheaper, but may be more valued by consumers. Link
South China Sea Dispute (2 Aug)
Ta Kung Po carried an article by Professor Francis Lui, Director of the Center for Economic Development. Professor Lui commented on the arbitration over the sovereignty of South China Sea, saying that the Nansha Islands have been inherent Chinese territory since ancient times and questioned the ruling by Hague Tribunal and its jurisdiction. Link
Female Management and Corporate Governance (2 Aug)
Hong Kong Economic Journal carried a commentary (解牛集) by Christine Chow, Adjunct Associate Professor, Department of Finance. She talked about the Governance Week held in New York, where a hundred global influence women and female directors were invited to attend and discuss governance and ESG-related matters. Link
Business Opportunities amid “Pokemon GO” (1 Aug)
Oriental Daily featured the implications of the mobile game “Pokemon GO” that generated considerable attention in Hong Kong and around the world. Commenting on opportunities that the game could bring to the city, Assistant Professor of Business Education Siu Kam-wing suggested local retailers to work with the game developer to attract customers and boost sales. Link
Impacts of IT on Financial Services Industry and Retailers
Global Network for Advance Management (GNAM) carried the summaries of the presentations conducted by ISOM Professor Theodore Clark and Assistant Professor Xiaojun Zhang, at the Business Insights Presentation earlier. Professor Clark talked about the impact of new technologies on the financial services industry (link), while Professor Zhang looked at the role of IT in the retail industry outlining some strategies online retailers could take to grow. Link (also in SCMP Ed Post)