In the Media

Household spending is a key factor in personal and family financial planning, as well as policymaking to improve people's livelihoods. While the government's Consumer Price Index (CPI) is a mainstream indicator, it often fails to accurately reflect the daily living costs of the public. CPI has limitations, such as over-emphasising non-essential goods and services (e.g. Rental expenses and furniture), and people's subjective inflation perceptions tend to be higher than the actual data.

EY survey: Chinese EV makers must overcome trust gaps to win global buyers. 35% Asia-Pacific & 30% Europe won't buy Chinese EVs due to lack of trust. Prof. Zhiwu Chen says trust reflects broader China perceptions.

The authors have found that pressuring businesses to implement a completely fair pricing system may actually backfire and lead to tacit collusion where consumers will ultimately suffer.

While Africa is gaining a voice globally, with the African Union joining the G20, its economic progress lags behind. Africa's per capita income declined from 30% of the global average in 1990 to only 21% in 2023, with low participation in international trade beyond exporting raw materials.

The academic community positively impacts ESG development by integrating government, business, and academia, sharing results with both sectors. Professor He Guojun from HHKU Jockey Club Enterprise Sustainability Global Research Institute suggests that the government can propose needs or build platforms, allowing academia to provide targeted research and solutions. Additionally, the government should offer funding and simplify administration to help transform and commercialize research outcomes, aiding companies in market competition.

We are delighted to announce that four distinguished scholars from HKU Business School have been awarded prestigious NSFC grants this year, including the National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars, the Excellent Young Scientists Fund, and the Young Scientists Fund Program. This resounding recognition is a testament to the exceptional research capability and rigorous academic standards upheld by HKU Business School.

The World Economic Forum has identified misinformation and disinformation as the most significant short-term risks faced by the global community. Another research report suggests that the financial impact of fake news results in a $39 billion loss in the stock market annually.

In this data-driven age, companies across the economy are actively seeking ways to collect and use consumer data. For example, the car-hailing app Uber has been accused of monitoring their users’ mobile phone battery and then charging them more if their battery is low (see Note 1). The travel website Orbitz has also faced questions on whether they display more costly hotels to Apple Mac users (see Note 2). If data is misused, this will only fuel consumer concerns about how their information is collected and force lawmakers to seek more prudent ways to monitor the data collection practices of companies.

In recent years, companies across various industries in Hong Kong, particularly SME, have been cautious about the local business environment and export outlook. Geopolitical factors have led to significant challenges in the business landscape, changes in Mainland Chinese tourists' spending patterns, and intensifying competition from surrounding regions.