Welcome to the mid-year edition of the FB Magazine!

Our theme for this edition, “Crossing Boundaries: FB’s Executive Edge in the GBA and Beyond”, reflects our growing engagement with one of the world’s most dynamic economic regions. The Greater Bay Area (GBA) is a true powerhouse of finance, technology, and innovation, offering unparalleled opportunities for business education and collaboration. As the region continues to evolve, it is crucial that PolyU Business School takes a leading role in shaping executive education to meet the demands of a fast-changing, interconnected business landscape. Our cross-border programmes and partnerships are designed to empower professionals to thrive in this vibrant environment.

Engaging with the GBA and beyond brings significant benefits—not only to PolyU but also to the wider community. For PolyU, this engagement enhances our reputation, expands our student base, and strengthens industry ties, enabling us to deliver programmes that are both globally relevant and locally impactful. For the broader region, our initiatives support workforce upskilling, drive innovation, and contribute to sustainable economic growth.

This edition’s Feature Story spotlights the recent launch of the PolyU Institute for Executive Education in Qianhai, Shenzhen—a bold new initiative that builds on our longstanding collaboration with the Qianhai Authority. Strategically located in one of the GBA’s most dynamic innovation hubs, the Institute is designed to provide first-rate executive education that combines academic excellence with industry relevance. It will also serve as an essential platform for cross-border collaboration, enabling professionals to gain practical insights and leadership skills necessary in today’s AI-driven, innovation-led economy. This initiative marks a significant step forward in our mission to cultivate future-ready leaders across the region and beyond.

The theme of crossing boundaries continues in our Alumni section, featuring an interview with DBA graduate Dr Yanli Xu, founder and General Manager of Corelt Technology Co. Ltd., a B2B manufacturer of semiconductors and other electronic components that is expanding its international operations. Dr Xu is an ideal voice for this edition as she exemplifies the executive edge that arises from combining strategic foresight with the ability to lead across cultures. In the interview, she shares key insights on expanding her business across borders, the importance of cross-cultural intelligence, and the lasting impact of her DBA experience.

Since our last edition at the end of 2024, we have reaffirmed our commitment to research excellence and global impact. This is underscored by our impressive performance in key global university assessments. PolyU Business School is ranked 25th globally and 1st in Hong Kong in the latest U.S. News & World Report Best Global Universities for Economics and Business. We also rank 37th worldwide in Business and Economics in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025, making us the second-highest ranked institution in Hong Kong in this category. Our research excellence is further recognised by the UTD Top 100 Worldwide Business School Rankings Based on Research Contributions (All Journals): for the period 2020 to 2024, we rank 35th worldwide and 5th in Asia. You can read about these and many other accomplishments in our regular Achievements section.

Our Research Perspectives section once again reflects the breadth and depth of our ongoing research. Here, we present the goals and summarise the key findings of several recent research projects undertaken by our faculty members. One study examines how American firms’ decisions to reshore production affect market valuations, revealing that reshoring only boosts investor confidence when it clearly mitigates macroeconomic risks. Another study uncovers how managers facing takeover threats strategically redact information in public contracts, shedding light on how firms protect trade secrets—and, at times, their own private interests. A third study explores how investor psychology is embedded in market prices, offering a new understanding of how beliefs about future returns and dividends shape financial markets.

Our Research Spotlight features an interdisciplinary collaboration between PolyU Business School and The Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel. The research team is developing an innovative AI system that automates the creation of personalised fashion videos, significantly reducing production times and costs in the fashion industry. By leveraging generative AI, the tool empowers brands—particularly small- and medium-sized enterprises—to swiftly tailor content for diverse audiences. This innovation has the potential to reshape fashion marketing and exemplifies how cutting-edge research at PolyU is direct impacting a vital industry.

Finally, our Around the Faculty section brings together a variety of newsworthy stories that celebrate the achievements of our staff, students, and alumni. These narratives reflect the vibrant and dynamic community that makes PolyU Business School such a unique place to learn, teach and grow.

As we approach the summer months, I wish all our readers a well-deserved and inspiring break.