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Broadening Boards: How Directorships should adapt for challenging times
Not only do Boards have a hand in the long term success of organisations, they are often expected to be the guardians of management – providing guidance and strategic inputs. Yet, names like Olympus, Enron, MF Global, News Corp and Hewlett Packard have turned the value of directorships on its head. To what extent should stakeholders trust Boards to look out for their interests, and is can diversity at the top really guard against the dangers of group-think? These questions were discussed at a panel discussion organised by SMU’s Office of Executive Education.

Knowledge@SMU Jan 19 - Feb 15

Risk management in a volatile market

The September 2008 collapse of Lehman Brothers was the 9/11 on Wall Street. Since then, the global risk landscape has changed and swings in the equity markets have become more volatile Now, a study of statistically significant changes in global financial risks and sharp increases in conditional Value-at-Risk after September 2008 has suggested a technically superior technique for effective risk management.

Finding solutions for challenging social dilemmas: Something to talk about

In a globalised world where problems are more complex, it is increasingly important for various sectors of society to work together towards a shared solution. But it may be difficult getting the different groups to work hand in hand. Social innovators shared at a SMU Lien Centre of Social Innovation conference on how the public and private sector can reshape itself to work with one another to achieve common goals.

Business strategies for emerging markets: Agility, size and taste
Success in a new emerging market depends on many factors, such as market size, its purchasing power, and competition. Marketing strategies are critical for success too. While many companies have traditionally opted to localise their brands, a group of speakers at SMU's Centre for Emerging Markets believe that businesses need to be far more agile in differentiating themselves for local customers – especially as markets become increasingly global and homogenous.

Beckon the dragon: How businesses can attract the Chinese consumers through digital marketing
The rise of China to the world’s second largest economy has seen a boom in its consumer market with its citizens having more purchasing power. China’s retail market is growing rapidly, including the trend of online shopping with the expansion of the credit card industry. As more and more Chinese citizens get online, the internet is slowly becoming a powerful tool for businesses to reach out to them.

Financial literacy and numerical ability: keys to better mortgage outcomes

The US mortgage crisis and its dire after effects have highlighted the criticality of financial literacy. And while most people would have picked up fundamental mathematical principles in schools, not everyone appreciates how arithmetic translates within the complex world of finance. Yet, given what has transpired with the subprime crisis, is it important for borrowers to appreciate complicated financial concepts before taking up a loan? A study of the US mortgage market, presented at a SMU School of Economics Seminar Series, provides some clues as it uncovers links between basic numerical skills and financial fate.