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Publication WORK PREFERENCES AND PERCEPTIONS : GENDER AND EDUCATION DIFFERENCES FOR MILITARY AND NON-MILITARY CAREERS(1998) KOK KAH MAY; SOCIAL WORK & PSYCHOLOGY; JOHN ELLIOTTThe study investigates the effect of gender and education differences on students' work value preferences and perception of the ability of their ideal companies/organizations and Mindef in providing what they prefer in a job. Herzberg's two-factor theory of intrinsic and extrinsic work values was used. Indigenous work values were gathered from several interviews with Mindef applicants and added onto Herzberg's list of factors, which then formed a questionnaire to tap the students' work value preferences and perceptions. A total of 168 tertiary students from Junior College, Polytechnics and University took part in the study. Contrary to recent studies done in the West, males and females differed in their work value preferences. Gender differences were found to predict students' work value preferences better than education differences. In addition, the higher educated females preferred intrinsic work values more than extrinsic ones. On the other hand, neither gender nor education differences were able to predict students' perception of the availability of work values in their ideal companies/organizations. Both sexes were not optimistic regarding the capability of their ideal companies/organizations in providing what they favor. Significant education differences were found for the students' perception of availability of work values in Mindef. The Junior College group held more positive perception of Mindef than the other two groups. No differences in perception were recorded between the sexes. Although both ideal companies/organizations and Mindef were not able to meet the students' work value preferences, Mindef was found to be not comparable with the ideal companies/organizations in their ability to provide work values. The results are discussed and implications are explored in terms of Singapore context when possible. Limitations of study are listed together with suggestions for further research. In addition, a framework is proposed for understanding occupational and company/organization selection.Publication CAPITAL FLOWS AND THE REAL EXCHANGE RATE : EVIDENCE FROM SELECTED ASEAN COUNTRIES(1998) LEE BIYI; ECONOMICS & STATISTICS; MEHER MANZURRecent years have seen ever increasing volume of capital inflows. With the trend of globalization and movement towards a relatively borderless world, we expect an even greater amount of capital flows. These flows are thought to be closely linked to many macroeconomic variables, with possible repercussions particularly on the exchange rate. The objective of this study is to take a new look at the relationship between capital flows and real exchange rate, analyzing this link with empirical data from selected countries from ASEAN, namely Philippines and Singapore. The choice of the sample is dictated by the availability of the data. The thesis starts with an extensive review of literature on the intriguing relationship between the real exchange rate and capital flows. The idea is to highlight and distill the relevant theoretical and empirical issues dominating the literature. Next, we present a theoretical framework to formally set up the relationship between the real exchange rate and capital flows. In this framework, the real exchange rate is posited as a function of international capital inflows. This framework is based on the idea that the more open an economy is, the more will be the response of the real exchange rate to international capital movements. Given that Singapore and Philippines are considered very open, we would expect the data to indicate that the real exchange rates for these countries are less elastic to capital inflows. Interestingly, our empirical results indicate that the real exchange rate is more elastic in the case of Singapore than that for Philippines. This is a bit striking in the sense that Singapore appears to be relatively more open than Philippines. One explanation could be that the share of foreign direct investment in the total capital inflows is greater in Philippines than in Singapore. However, the results have to be interpreted with sufficient caution because of the data problem typical of countries like Philippines.Publication STUDY OF THE MARKET FOR PRIVATE RECREATIONAL FACILITIES(1997) TANG YUIN SHUM; SCHOOL OF BUILDING & REAL ESTATE; ALICE CHRISTUDASONWith increasing affluence, Singaporeans are now striving to attain a more sophisticated life-style, which includes country club membership. It seems that the non-golfing private recreational club market is an emerging market in Singapore because such clubs can enable the fulfillment of Singaporeans aspirations more realistically. The emergence of such a market can be noticed by the fact that there are still new clubs entering the market despite falling prices. There is also a wide gap between the bids for State land by the developers of such clubs. These phenomena cause one to wonder if there is sufficient demand to support the supply of such memberships. However, the demand and the supply are functions of several factors. Therefore, in order to explain the performance of the market, the study aims to look at the market in its totality, inclusive of the implications of the determinants. This study uses a review of relevant theoretical and empirical investigation by primary sources such as surveys and personal interviews. Scattered secondary information about the market is consolidated. It is found that the market was in a recession for 1995 and it seems that the market has not recovered in the short run. Given the volatile nature of the market, developers have to take calculated risks in such developments. The implications of the determinants of demand and supply must thus be taken seriously.Publication SINGAPORE'S TRADE WITH THE UNITED STATES AND EUROPEAN ECONOMIC COMMUNITY : SOME RECENT DEVELOPMENTS(1987) HENRY LIM SHIEN CHING; ECONOMICS & STATISTICS; KOH AI-TEEThe purpose of this academic exercise is to study the recent developments in Singapore's exports to the United States and the European Community and to draw out policy implications and future trends. Chapter One looks into the importance of external trade for Singapore's economic survival and also provides an overview of Singapore's major trading partners. The importance of the external trade to her economic survival stems mainly from her insufficient domestic market to absorb her production, forcing her to turn to the world market. Because of her dependence on the external market, she is vulnerable to the economic conditions of the world, particularly those of her major trading partners. Chapter Two focuses upon the trade policies of the United States and the European Community. This is to provide the foundation for our discussion of Singapore's exports to these two markets. A brief review of the historical development of the trade policies of the two markets and the effects of these policies on the developing countries, Singapore in particular, are highlighted. Chapter Three uses Chapter Two as a foundation to study Singapore's trade pattern with the United States and the European Community. Besides examining the raw data for exports to the US and EC, econometric analysis is also employed to analyse the changes in Singapore's trade pattern and the implication on policies and future trends. Chapter Four looks at the current problems faced by Singapore's exporters exporting to the US and EC based on a questionnaire survey conducted in early June. Possible solutions are also suggested in this chapter.Publication FEASIBILITY ANALYSIS OF SETTING UP A CRECHE WITHIN THE CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT(1990) TAN BOON KEOW; SCHOOL OF BUILDING & ESTATE MANAGEMENT; ONG CHOON FAHDuring the post-war baby boom period, the government was concerned that Singaporeans were multiplying too fast for the economy to keep pace with. Of late, the government is changing its attitude and instead encouraging the people to "have three or more children if you can afford it". On the other hand, it is also worried about the trend of married women not continuing to work after having kids. Recognizing this dilemma, the government gave incentives to lure women back to the labour force. But the greatest concern of these women is child care. "Kentucky Fried Children", a memorable label coined by Joseph Featherstone expresses much of the concern of many early opponents of proprietary creches. But the question is can proprietary creches survive economically to produce such children. This issue is especially magnified if the creche is to be initiated in the Central Business District (CBD) where a creche may not be fully utilising space to its highest and best use. Therefore the need for creches is real but supply is simply not keeping up. It is interesting to note that although private operators and landlords have instituted several creches all over the island, they have yet to venture into the CBD. By appreciating the specific and uncertain variables, an investor can conduct a feasibility study to ascertain the viability of establishing a creche within the CBD, rather than relying on gut feelings and rumours. Hence having "Kentucky Fried Children" in the CBD may just not be very far away.Publication COMPETITION FOR FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENTS : HOST COUNTRIES' PERSPECTIVES(1993) TERESA LOW SIEW LIAN; ECONOMICS & STATISTICS; TAN KIM SONGMany countries are cognizant of the benefits that could be derived from Foreign Direct Investments (FDI). As there is more than one country seeking FDI, there is a need to consider the competition for FDI faced by host countries. Such competition is especially intense in the export-oriented FDI since foreign investors in this market are "footloose" and sensitive to host countries’ conditions. In considering the competition faced by host countries, we are essentially interested in the following questions: How do they compete for FDI? What type of FDI do they compete for? Will the competition for the type of FDI change? What are the outcomes? What are the costs involved? The aim of the study is two-fold. First, it seeks to find out how countries compete for export-oriented FDI. This consists of examining the various investment incentives. For analytical convenience, they can be classified into price and quantity incentives. Price incentives refer to the fiscal and financial incentives offered by the host countries. Quantity incentives refer to the· investment climate of the host country. It is usually the infrastructure of the country, which extends beyond the usual idea of physical infrastructure. It encompasses the political, geographical and economic dimensions as well. Second, it seeks to assess the effectiveness of these incentives. The effectiveness of the incentives is measured by the host countries' performance against the cost of the incentives. In evaluating the performance, the study will examine the volume of FDI inflows, the impact of investment promotion using regression models, the nature of FDI that countries compete for overtime and the benefits of FDI. With regard to the costs of offering incentives , it will examine the direct and indirect cost of offering incentives. The study will also look into the redundancy of offering incentives. Although many countries compete for FDI, only two countries, Singapore and Taiwan, have been selected to illustrate the competition for FDI. With these two countries, the two main issues mentioned are sequentially discussed.Publication PERMANENT PEDESTRIANISATION OF ORCHARD ROAD(1990) YEO HIAN CHEOW HARRY; SCHOOL OF BUILDING & ESTATE MANAGEMENT; LAU LAI CHANSince the 1960s, the concept of pedestrianisation has been used by many countries as an effective tool for traffic management, economic revitalisation, environmental improvements and enhancement of social benefits. In Singapore, a part of Orchard Road has been closed to vehicular traffic for festive celebrations, like Swing Singapore and Chingay Procession. These closures were only for a few hours, unlike those in the European and North American cities which are permanently closed. This dissertation looked into the possiblility of permanently pedestrianising the stretch of Orchard Road between Scotts Road and Grange Road. The findings of this study showed that the buildings in the area are still accessible should the proposed stretch be pedestrianised. But the presence of up-market retail outlets and offices may not allow the scheme to fully exploit its potential benefits. Therefore, although it is technically possible to pedestrianise, its other implications may not deem it feasible.Publication PERCENTAGE RENTAL SYSTEM(1986) YAP CHUNG LEE; DEPT OF BUILDING & ESTATE MANAGEMENT; NATURAM KHUBLALLFrom upmarket Orchard Road to suburban Marine Parade, owners of both old and new shopping complexes have been confronted by their tenants with demands for rent reductions. They cite worsening business and high overheads aggravated by "exhorbitant" rents as their reasons. This emerging trend calls for a rental system which can adjust to the economic situation. Many property consultants have suggested the Percentage Rental System as such a flexible system. In fact, two developers have taken up this suggestion for the shopping space of their projects - the Marina Square and the Forum Galleria. It is claimed that the Percentage Rental System would help retailers ride out the current economic downturn and it can also be construed as a positive marketing tool for the owner. This study endeavours to investigate the validity of such claims. It is also a study on the Percentage Rental System as a better means to cope with econominc changes in comparison with the conventional method of fixing rents. Shops in Liang Court are used as the subject-matter for a comparative study.Publication MEANINGS IN PLACE : RECAPTURING THE KAMPUNG IN SINGAPORE(1999) EDDIE KOH; SOCIOLOGY; MARIBETH ERBBeing a quintessential notion in Singapore society, the kampung has been subject to various forms of discourse in recent years. While landscapes like these have mostly disappeared, peoples' ideas of such places have yet to subside. Following a social constructionist approach and guided by the interpretive framework in cognitive anthropology, this paper outlines the symbolic presence of the kampung in the Singaporean lifeworld and its sociological implications in everyday settings. While the State conceptualizes the kampung as a moral construct and as an 'imagined community', peoples' perception of the kampung present a different, if not contesting set of logics at work. This paper argues that the kampung still 'thrives' in a variety of contexts. Reflecting different notions and images for people who play a part in the 'cultural imagination' (Paerregaard, 1997: 54) of place, the kampung in Singapore is an amorphous concept that resists classification. Paradoxically, it is these ideas and meanings which are responsible for the kampung's resurgence in everyday contexts. This process of construction also reflects different stakes and values at work. Narratives about the kampung by residents (those who are living there) and the State are thus examined. This paper proposes that these subjective interpretations of the kampung further reflect different degrees of peoples' attachment to place which they find meaningful and even satisfying.Publication ADAPTIVE REUSE OF PUBLIC HOUSING FOR THE AGED COMMUNITY(1992) ANG YEONG KOON RICHARD; SCHOOL OF BUILDING & ESTATE MANAGEMENT; BROWN, PETER M.THE YEAR : 2030. The country : Singapore. The scene : Cluster of elderly people gather at void decks of housing estates, some indulging in idle banter, others playing Chinese chess. A majority are widows, with life expectancy of women exceeding that of men by five years. But many of them are at work as cleaners and shop assistants or other jobs in the sales and service sectors. The men, unlike the women, drop out of the workforce. Reason: They have accumulated enough CPF money for a comfortable retirement. Many of them while away the hours by reading newspapers and magazines. These publications are printed in large type as the vision of their readers deteriorates. Many others are glued to TV sets at home (homes which are too big as their children set up smaller families of their own), watching videos or special SBC programmes tailored for the aged. As their attention span is short, many doze off in their armchairs. All this may well happen if Singaporeans, do not address the problem of an ageing population today. The reality is a mere 40 years away. Thisstudyattemptstolookintoprovidinghousingfortheagedindependent. Theintentionofthisformoftenureistoprovideachoiceforelderlyoccupiers who wish to move into accommodation more suitable for their needs in terms of size and convenience with the security of having someone on hand in case of emergency. Apart from fulfilling a real housing need for many elderly people, the social benefits of this scheme lies in allowing them to live life as they choose, without imposing his/her taste on their children or in-laws. And in all probability, reducing the cost of the State towards provisions of more institutional homes. In most case, the scheme will also be instrumental in releasing under-occupied property onto the market. The findings obtained suggest that it is both economically feasible and viable to do so. Alternatively, to provide a similar form of high-rise sheltered housing would cost the Government ten times the amount.