Up the ranks: Smith appoints Winnie Wong as HR Director for APAC Summary Smith, a global distributor of electronic components and semiconductors, has appointed Winnie Wong as Director of Human Resources for the APAC region. Based in Hong Kong, Wong will lead HR initiatives across offices in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Seoul, Tokyo, Penang and […]
Interview: How Tesla’s former DEI director, Kristen Kavanaugh, chose courage over fear Summary Kristen Kavanaugh, former DEI director at Tesla and Marine Corps veteran, describes how small, consistent acts of courage build resilient leadership. She reflects on personal “moments that mattered” (coming out after Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, challenging performative DEI, resisting harmful public commentary) […]
Crypto groups hit out at Bank of England plan to limit stablecoin ownership Summary The Bank of England is reportedly moving to tighten rules around stablecoins, including measures that would limit ownership or access for some retail investors and bolster regulatory control over issuers and platforms. Crypto industry groups have reacted strongly, saying the proposals […]
Here are your finalists for the HR Vendors of the Year Awards 2025, Singapore Summary The finalists for the HR Vendors of the Year (VOTY) Awards 2025 in Singapore have been announced. Now in its 20th year, the awards remain a key benchmark for HR solution providers across the region. The gala will take place […]
Product Tankers: Demand Could Be Ramping Up Summary Shipbroker Gibson’s latest weekly note points to a possible short-term respite for the product tanker market after refinery activity hit an all-time high of ~85 mbd over the summer. Strong refinery runs pushed seaborne clean petroleum product (CPP) exports to a 16-month high, led by the Middle […]
Starmer has until May to turn things around, say MPs and unions Summary MPs and union figures are warning that Keir Starmer and Labour face a critical deadline in May to improve their standing with voters. The article reports mounting internal pressure for clearer messaging and sharper electoral strategy ahead of key tests. While details […]
Assessing Predictor Robustness in Healthcare Consumer Research: A Bayesian Model Averaging Approach Summary This study applies Bayesian Model Averaging (BMA) to test which service-design elements in diabetes education are robust predictors of consumer outcomes. Using data from diabetes education programmes at six hospitals, the authors compare relational quality (trust in health educators), types of knowledge […]
Tanker Market Stages August Recovery Summary Dirty tanker spot freight rates largely recovered in August after prior declines, with Suezmax leading the rebound. OPEC’s monthly report shows Suezmax rates up 34% month-on-month (m-o-m) and 38% year-on-year (y-o-y). VLCCs gained mainly on East of Suez routes (+11% m-o-m) and Aframax averages rose, though with regional variation. […]
External finance and the growth of rural and urban SMEs in England Article Date: 20 December 2024Authors: Amr Khafagy, Thao Nguyen, Matthew Gorton, Jeremy Phillipson Summary This study uses the UK Longitudinal Small Business Survey and an extended pooled ordered probit model (with firm- and year-effects) to test how external finance affects turnover growth for […]
Business model innovation and SME performance and performance variability: The role of CEO persistence Summary This study examines how business model innovation (BMI) affects small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), not only in terms of average performance but also the variability (risk) of outcomes. Drawing on dynamic capabilities and upper echelons theory, the authors test whether […]
