Navigating Shifts- Geopolitical and Post-Covid Supply Chain Realignment:
Implications for the Mainland and Hong Kong

乘風掌舵 – 地緣政治及疫後供應鏈重整
對內地與香港的影響

Click HERE to join the Live Streaming on YouTube

Date: 7 November, 2024 (Thursday)
Time: 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Location: Loke Yew Hall, Main Building, The University of Hong Kong
Registration: Click Here

Synopsis

Global supply chains have faced tremendous stresses from geopolitical friction, disaster disruptions, and increasing stakeholder interests on sustainability.  At the same time, technologies have offered innovations for corporations to create opportunities.  In this lecture, Professor Hau Lee will outline three strategic challenges that confront corporations in this turbulent time, and share his views on how the Mainland and Hong Kong could be in a position to gain control of such challenges.

Keynote Speaker

Hau L. Lee

Hau L. Lee is the Thoma Professor Emeritus of Operations, Information and Technology at the Graduate School of Business at Stanford University.  His areas of specialization include global supply chain management, entrepreneurship and innovations in developing economies, and value chain strategy.

Professor Lee has published widely in journals such as Management Science, Operations Research, Harvard Business Review, Sloan Management Review, Supply Chain Management Review, IIE Transactions, and Interfaces, etc.  He has served on the editorial boards of many international journals.  From 1997-2003, he was the Editor-in-Chief of Management Science.

Professor Lee was inducted to the US National Academy of Engineering in 2010.  He was elected a Fellow of Manufacturing and Service Operations Management, 2001; Production and Operations Management Society, 2005; and INFORMS, 2005.  In 2006-7, he was the President of the Production and Operations Management Society.  His article, “The Triple-A Supply Chain,” was the Second Place Winner of the McKinsey Award for the Best Paper in 2004 in the Harvard Business Review.  In 2004, his co-authored paper in 1997, “Information Distortion in a Supply Chain: The Bullwhip Effect,” was voted as one of the ten most influential papers in the history of Management Science.  His co-authored paper, “The Impact of Logistics Performance on Trade,” won the Wickham Skinner Best Paper Award by the Production and Operations Management Society in 2014. In 2003, he received the Harold Lardner Prize for International Distinction in Operations Research, Canadian Operations Research Society.

Professor Lee has consulted extensively in the private sector.  He co-founded DemandTec, a price-optimization company that went public in NASDAQ in 2007.  He is an independent non-executive director of TD Synnex, Silvaco, and the Lion Rock Group.

Professor Lee obtained his B.Soc.Sc. degree in Economics and Statistics from the University of Hong Kong in 1974, his M.Sc. degree in Operational Research from the London School of Economics in 1975, and his M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Operations Research from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in 1983.  He was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Engineering degree by the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, an Honorary Doctorate from the Erasmus University of Rotterdam, Honorary Doctorate in Management from Macau University, and Honorary Doctor of Science in Economics from the London Business School..

Panel Discussion

Moderator

Ms. Marjorie Yang
Chairman of Esquel Group

Discussants

Professor Max Shen
Vice-President and Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research), Chair Professor in Logistics and Supply Chain Management, HKU

Mr. Andy Tung
Vice Chairman of China-United States Exchange Foundation

Click HERE to register

Live Streaming on YouTube: https://youtube.com/live/1jhxMXlqZT8

Web3.0 and cloud technologies are transforming how governments, academia, and firms approach to a Smart City. Under this rapidly developing phenomenon, there is an expanding need to prepare individuals to acquire the skills and knowledge through talent development and career-sharing initiatives to succeed.

By hosting the Seminar and MoU Signing Event, HKU Business School and Alibaba Cloud hope to bring talent, industry experts, and aspiring professionals together to build a more sustainable and equitable future

Details

Date: April 14, 2023 (Friday)
Time: 4:00p.m. – 5:30p.m.
Venue: 2/F Multipurpose Area, HKU Main Library
Language: English
Participation mode: Physical / Online

Agenda:

• 3:45p.m. – 4:00p.m. Registration
• 4:00p.m. – 4:30p.m. MoU Signing Ceremony between HKU Business School and Alibaba Cloud
• 4:30p.m. – 5:30p.m. “The Impact of Web3.0 on Smart City Development” Seminar

MoU Signing Ceremony Signatories:

• Professor Hongbin Cai – Dean of HKU Business School
• Mr. Leo Liu – General Manager of Hong Kong, Macau region and Philippines, Alibaba Cloud Intelligence

Seminar Speakers:

• Mr. Joseph Chan – Associate Director, Centre for Asian Entrepreneurship and Business Values and Senior Lecturer, HKU Business School
• Mr. Patrick Chan – Solutions Architect – Public Sector, Alibaba Cloud Intelligence Hong Kong & Macau
• Mr. Clarence Ng – Head of Alibaba Cloud International Training Operations, Alibaba Cloud Intelligence

*The agenda is subject to change without prior notice.

REGISTER NOW

Smith Around the World Lecture Series

Triumph of the Market: What China’s past and present tell us

Date: 24 March, 2023 (Friday)
Time: 16:30 – 17:45
Location: Wang Gungwu Lecture Hall, Graduate House, The University of Hong Kong

Adam Smith 300 is a timely opportunity to renew the global interest in Adam Smith and to bring his ideas and legacy into contemporary debates around the world. HKU Business School is pleased to collaborate with the University of Glasgow to jointly organise the Smith Around the World Lecture Series, presenting a lecture titled “Triumph of the Market: What China’s past and present tell us” by Professor Zhiwu Chen to mark Adam Smith’s Tercentenary.

From the Neolithic to the Han dynasty, the southern coastal regions remained as China’s backwaters and did not experience much development. However, from the early Tang dynasty onward, maritime trade launched the South onto a Smithian growth path, transforming China’s economic landscape. By the end of the Yuan dynasty, the coastal economies became the country’s economic powerhouse. Over the subsequent centuries, the South stagnated as the emperors wavered between sea bans and limited maritime trade. Ultimately, though, the country had to open itself for foreign trade as a result of the Opium War, unleashing the forces of unfettered Smithian growth.

In this lecture, Professor Chen will argue that the rise to prominence of the southern coastal regions – especially Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Shanghai and Hangzhou – showcases the power of Smithian growth drivers. Uncompromised freedom to exchange encourages division of labour, which raises productivity and lifts wealth creation; and, as the extent of the market determines the extent of this division effect, globalization deepens specialization and lengthens the supply chain, pushing growth to unprecedented levels. It is the Smithian growth experience that gave the South its distinctive pro-business culture, as opposed to North China’s pro-power culture.

Speakers

Professor Zhiwu Chen
Chair Professor of Finance, HKU Business School
Director, Hong Kong Institute for Humanities and Social Sciences

Professor Y.C. Richard Wong
Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor, The University of Hong Kong

Moderator

Professor Xiaodong Zhu
Area Head of Economics, HKU Business School

Programme Rundown

Welcome Remarks
Professor Y.C. Richard Wong
Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor, The University of Hong Kong

Opening Remarks
Professor Kostas Kontis
Dean for Global Engagement (China and East Asia),
The University of Glasgow

Opening Remarks
Professor Sara Carter
Vice Principal and Head of College of Social Sciences,
The University of Glasgow

Lecture
Professor Zhiwu Chen
Chair Professor of Finance, HKU Business School
Director, Hong Kong Institute for Humanities and Social Sciences

Discussion with Professor Y.C. Richard Wong, to be moderated by
Professor Xiaodong Zhu
Area Head of Economics, HKU Business School

Question-and-Answer Session

China: in the eyes of an HKU Graduate & Fortune 500 CEO

一位港大毕业生及财富500 CEO眼中的中国

Date: 20 February, 2023 (Monday)
Time: 17:30 – 19:15
Location: Loke Yew Hall, The University of Hong Kong

Synopsis

Since 2020, COVID has brought profound disruptions to the restaurant industry. Reduced mobility, recurring lockdowns, changed consumer behaviors and rising cost inflation are just few of the major challenges faced. In this unprecedented and volatile environment, Yum China, the largest restaurant company in China, has demonstrated exemplary agility and resilience. The company pivoted quickly, innovated and delivered solid financial performance throughout the period. Moreover, it continued to expand its store portfolio and tap into new brands in China. Joey will share her learnings in this long battle as well as insights from her invaluable experience turning around businesses in UK and China. 

Keynote Speaker

Ms. Joey Wat
CEO, Yum China Holdings, Inc.

Joey Wat is CEO of Yum China (NYSE: YUMC & HKEX: 9987), a Fortune 500 Company, and has been a member of Yum China’s board of directors since July 2017. Yum China separated from Yum! Brands, Inc. and became an independently listed company on the New York Stock Exchange on November 1, 2016. Ms. Wat served as the President and COO of Yum China from 2017 – 2018, and as CEO of KFC China from 2015 – 2017. Before joining YUM China Division in 2014, Ms. Wat served in both management and strategy positions at AS Watson of Hutchison Group in the U.K. from 2004. Her last position at Watson was as Managing Director of Watson U.K. Before joining Watson, Ms. Wat spent seven years in management consulting including with McKinsey & Company in Hong Kong from 2000 to 2003. Wat holds an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Hong Kong. Wat was included in the Forbes World’s Most Powerful Women list from 2020 to 2022, and Fortune’s Top 50 Most Powerful Women in International Business from 2018 to 2021.

Moderator

Professor Christine Chan
Associate Dean (Outreach and Global Engagement), HKU Business School

Keynote Speaker

Professor Sir Christopher Pissarides

2010 Nobel Laureate in Economic Sciences

The Honourable Paul Chan Mo-po

Financial Secretary of the HKSAR Government

Dr. Tao Zhang

Chief Representative for Asia and the Pacific, The Bank of International Settlements

Abstract

HKU Business School is dedicated to Hong Kong economic policy research with an aim to create positive change in the community. Subsequent to the successful launch of the very first Hong Kong Economic Policy Green Paper and the inaugural conference last year in encouraging fruitful discussions, this year, the School will join hand with Hong Kong Institute of Economics and Business Strategy, Institute of Digital Economy and Innovation and Asia Global Institute to host the second conference entitled “The Future of Hong Kong Economy” under its Thought Leadership Conference Series 2022. The conference will serve as an exchange platform to foster discussion among well-regarded scholars, policy makers, business leaders and the community, with an aim to contribute to local, regional and global sustainable economic development in the long run.

Event page: https://www.hkubs.hku.hk/eventsite/future-of-hong-kong-economy-2022/

Hong Kong’s Next 25 Years: Challenges and Opportunities

香港未來 25 載：不容錯過？

Date: 22 November, 2021
Time: 17:30 – 19:15
Location: Loke Yew Hall, The University of Hong Kong

Synopsis

Twenty-five years after the Handover, four young business leaders will examine how Hong Kong can maintain its advantage and develop its role as a world city and international financial center amidst the fast-changing global landscape.

Panellists

Ms. Gigi Chao
Executive Vice Chairman, Cheuk Nang (Holdings) Limited
Dr. Adrian Cheng
Executive Vice-chairman and Chief Executive Officer, New World Development Company Limited
Mr. David Liao
Co-chief Executive, Asia-Pacific, HSBC
Ms. Dee Poon
Managing Director, Brands and Distribution, Esquel Group

Moderators

Dr. Victor Fung
Former Chairman, HKU Council
Professor Frederick Si-Hang Ma
Honorary Professor, HKU Business School

***This event will be rescheduled to Spring 2020. Please stay tuned on our website and social media channels.***

Survival in the Vibrant Chinese Economy: Fast Food Frontier

中國快餐業中的創新先驅

Keynote speaker

Ms. Joey Wat 屈翠容
CEO of Yum China Holdings, Inc.
Female CEO of the Fortune 500
HKU Alumna

Synopsis

The general conclusion about doing business in China: it involves flexible business philosophy and a balance between standardisation and customisation, the oversight of which may be the cause for many corporations, big and small, having failed to sustain in the Chinese market despite the vast potential. The bruising US-China trade war and the slowing down of economic growth in China have stoked up worries about downside risks to Chinese enterprises. However, Yum China, the country’s largest restaurant group which operates the KFC and Pizza Hut brands and employs over 450,000 workers, remains upbeat on the outlook for the fast food industry in China.

The lecture will explore in depth how this Fortune 500 company can survive the cut-throat competition amid a rapidly changing industry landscape. What are the challenges and opportunities facing those in the restaurant and food service industry today?  And how these will be of interest to many who operate businesses in China.

Language

English

Date:          March 8, 2019 (Friday) 
Time:         3:00pm – 4:30pm (Registration commences at 2:30pm)
Venue:       KK 201, K.K. Leung Building, HKU
Language: English

Registration: http://www.hkubs.hku.hk/go/ERBD2019 
Enquiries: Ms. Eunice Ng (Tel: 3917 4488; Email: fbecomm@hku.hk)

All are welcome. Registration is free of charge. Seats are limited and are offered on a first come, first served basis.