新加坡潮人社团的跨国活动和国际网络: 以新加坡潮州八邑会馆为例 = TRANSNATIONAL ACTIVITIES AND CONNECTION OF SINGAPORE TEOCHEW CLAN ASSOCIATIONS : THE CASE STUDY OF TEOCHEW POIT IP HUAY KUAN

Abstract

In the era of globalisation, it is upmost essential for organisations to engage in transnational cooperation in order to stay relevant and competitive, this is also applicable to the Chinese clan associations, which roles have changed over time. In recent years, the transnationalism of Singapore Chinese clan associations has become a significant trend, as this serves as a form of adaptation to their changes in roles and new operation models. There have been research papers analyzing the transnationalism of clan associations and this makes a relevant and worthy research topic. However, there are few which provide an in-depth analysis through the illustrating of specific case studies. This is especially the case for Singapore Teochew clan associations and thus formed the research motivation for this thesis. This paper seeks to explore how transnational activities between Singapore Teochew Poit Ip Huay Kuan and the overseas organisations, enable the Huay Kuan to form important overseas contacts as well as enhancing its international influence and reputation, which is upmost essential to its future developments. The transnational activities can be classified in the aspects of cultural, business and interaction with the immigrants. Teochew Poit Ip Huay Kuan is chosen as the case study as it is the most well-represented and influential Teochew clan association in Singapore, it is also one of the earliest Chinese clan associations in Singapore to be engaged in transnational activities. This thesis will be split into three aspects. The first aspect will explore the history and changes in the roles of Singapore Teochew Poit Ip Huay Kuan. The second aspect will be on the factors contributing to the transnationalism of the Huay Kuan. The final aspect will provide in-depth analysis of how the transnational activities enhance its international reputation. At the same time, this thesis will develop a further discussion on the future prospects of the Huay Kuan in terms of its transnational cooperation, as well as the challenges it faced in this process.