13 June 2018

The Department of Marketing and the Research Institute for Business, in conjunction with the International Management Development Association (IMDA), hosted the 27th World Business Congress at Hang Seng Management College (HSMC) from 11 to 13 Jun 2018. Centering on the timely theme of “Transformation, Coopetition, and Sustainability in the Era of Globalisation, Engagement, and Disruptive Technology”, this annual conference was well attended by 120 academics and senior executives from some 20 countries and regions. Participants shared insights and exchanged views on major business topics, such as the Belt and Road initiative and the creative and sharing economy in Greater China.

The conference was opened by President Simon S M Ho of HSMC with a welcome message. Dr Bernard Chan, Under Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, then delivered a keynote speech on Belt and Road. In his speech, Dr Chan emphasised how Hong Kong can play an important role in Belt and Road. For example, tertiary institutions in Hong Kong can develop talents in engineering, finance and management to support the infrastructure and investment projects arising from Belt and Road. Dr Chan also answered a series of questions raised by academics and senior executives on pertinent issues ranging from property rights to business risks.

Experts from academia and business led three inspiring plenary sessions. Dr Thomas Chan, Director of One Belt One Road Research Institute of Chu Hai College, and Mr Morris Cheung, President of MTR Academy, addressed the long-term impact of Belt and Road on business communities in Greater China. Dr Thomas Man, Director of HSMC’s Wu Jieh Yee Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship; Professor Barry Unger from Boston University, USA; Professor Zhang Shujun from Sun Yat-sen University, PRC; and Mr Garrick Lau from Junior Achievement Hong Kong, brainstormed opportunities and challenges underlying the fledgling creative and sharing economy in Greater China. The Deans’ Forum hosted by Professor Bradley Barnes, Dean of the School of Business of HSMC; Professor Erdener Kaynak from Pennsylvania State University, USA; Professor Piyush Sharma from Curtin University, Australia; Professor Wendy Wan from Tunghai University, Taiwan; and Professor Oliver Yau from The Open University of Hong Kong generated thought-provoking discussions on business education in Greater China.

Researchers from around the world presented over 60 topics in 22 academic sessions, which covered a wide spectrum of topics from brand management, digital marketing, and global marketing to business education, business ethics, and sustainability. Among the presenters were a dozen or so HSMC colleagues from six different academic departments.

Three best paper awards were presented by Professor Erdener Kaynak, Executive Vice-President and Director of IMDA at the Gala Dinner on 12 Jun, during which donors and major co-workers of the 27th World Business Congress were acknowledged.