Economics and Finance

This book is a short history of the Chinese crackdown on the country’s large technology firms that began in 2020.  The book discusses the political and economic context, and outlines the limitations on the power of the state. As the policies of 'common prosperity' continue to develop, this book will be an invaluable reference for economists studying either China, the internet and big tech, or both.

This book examines the contributory role of inclusive housing management services in safeguarding the living environment, empowering neighborhoods, sustaining lovable home, building social capital, fostering community wellbeing and social sustainability from the perspective of the sociology of housing. By repositioning professional housing management as an important driving force in community building, this book argues that the community-initiated inclusive housing management model has been acting as a cornerstone in enhancing a sense of belonging, cultural renewal, environmental sustainability, social integration and community cohesion particularly in cities with high density and compact development. This case study in Hong Kong will make an important contribution to interdisciplinary research in urban sociology, business management, community development, leadership building and environmental health. This study also contributes to the international literature on the dynamics of neighborhood and community governance by addressing the concrete local community initiatives and collaborative management practices in meeting the ever-changing environmental, social and health risks in Hong Kong and beyond. It will be of value to scholars researching on housing management and inclusive community building in world cities globally. 

This book focuses on the political economy behind innovation in China's new industrial sectors, particularly the effects of policies and government regulation in the absence of the rule of law. In its analysis, the book aims to elucidate the mechanisms that generate innovation from multiple perspectives while utilizing insights from political science and law. The analysis in this book focuses on the following three points. First, by examining Guizhou Province's Big-data industry promotion policy, "import substitution digitization" policy, and government intellectual property strategy, we seek to empirically clarify the extent to which Chinese government industrial policy has stimulated innovation. Next, we examine in detail the issues surrounding the "rule of law" in China regarding introducing anti-monopoly laws for digital platform companies and developing the intellectual property court system. Third, it focuses on the role played by local governments in industrial policy, including the impact of industrial guidance funds on the efficiency of the regional financial sector and the impact of local bond issuance on the effectiveness of resource allocation among regions.

This book, "The Economy of Goodness" by Dr. Rey-Sheng Her, offers a comprehensive faith-based and philosophical perspective on economic activities throughout human history. It explores how cross-cultural ethics and philosophies, particularly Eastern and Western, shape our economy. The book delves into applying altruism to economic spheres, demonstrating how good motivations and means lead to good outcomes. Key themes include defining 'goodness' as altruism, harmony, and common goodness, and addressing fairness and justice in production, consumption, trade, and finance. Highlighting enterprises that embody these ideals, the book also presents ten principles for fostering altruistic business practices, aiming to guide society toward common wealth and goodness. This engaging and insightful work is essential for those interested in economics, ethics, and the philosophy of altruism.

Shifting gears between the most abstract (invisible) and the most concrete (visible) world, this book contains one unifying theoretical construct and six milestone stories to shed light on China’s pathways towards building a moderately prosperous society since 1949. Today, China’s GDP per capita is about US$ 12,000; it was only about US$ 150 in the late 1970s, that is, before the reform era. That is a very dramatic increase, lifting over 700 million people out of poverty in the process! What is unique about this book is that the six stories, when read together, systematically unfold a simple coherent logic — as well as a rich history — of economic development in the complex institutional setting of politics, economics and sociology that is uniquely Chinese. A key educational feature of the book is for the reader to learn and appreciate both the universals (or global vision) and the particulars (or local knowledge) of these stories so as to gain a deeper understanding of China’s development trajectory in a global setting in the past several decades. In other words, for China’s growth strategies to work, theories must be contextualized dynamically by local conditions. This book will be appreciated by students and educators alike.

The Chinese Communist Party’s complex and contradictory embrace of capitalism has played a pivotal role in shaping China’s economic reforms since the late 1970s. This book explores the persistent tensions between state control and market forces in China. It shows how these tensions provide a framework to understand Xi Jinping’s recent efforts to tighten control over the Chinese economy. The book evaluates the broader implications of these policies for China’s economic trajectory and its global trade relationships.

This book explores how digital technologies are transforming cross-border trade in Southeast Asia. It examines IT interoperability within the ASEAN Single Window, a landmark initiative that connects national customs systems to accelerate clearance, strengthen cybersecurity, and enable seamless data exchange.

Organized across nine chapters, the book highlights how artificial intelligence, blockchain, cloud computing, and smart connected platforms are reshaping trade flows and regulatory cooperation. Drawing on detailed case studies from Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia, it shows how digital innovation reduces transaction costs, shortens clearance times, and empowers small and medium-sized enterprises to participate in regional commerce.

Combining theory, policy analysis, and empirical evidence, this book provides both researchers and practitioners with a clear roadmap for advancing digital trade. It is an essential resource for scholars of international trade, policymakers, and business leaders seeking to understand and shape the future of digital transformation in Asia and beyond.