Published in celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) program at City University of Hong Kong, this book features interviews with 20 program alumni, highlighting their achievements and societal impact in a wide range of industries including finance, IT, manufacturing, and more. Featuring graduates from Hong Kong and around the world, the stories merge personal experiences with academic insights to showcase how the DBA program has driven professional development, leadership growth, and mindset shifts, connecting theory with real-world practice.

About the Author

CityUHK DBA 20th Anniversary Book Editorial Committee

Prof. Michael Chak-sham WONG (Committee Chairman)

Associate Professor of Finance, CityUHK

Prof. Muammer OZER

Professor of Management and DBA Programme Director, CityUHK

Dr. Toa CHARM

Chairman, CityUHK DBA Alumni Association

Dr. Gary CHENG

Treasurer, CityUHK DBA Alumni Association

Mr. Victor LAl

Executive Committee Member, CityUHK DBA Alumni Association

Dr. Bessie CHONG (Committee Secretary)

College of Business, CityUHK

Assistant Director, Internationalization and External Engagement

Table of Contents

Part I GOVERNANCE & REGULATION

1. Dr. Linda BIEK | Auditors' professional scepticism

2. Dr. Gary CHENG | Corporate governance

3. Dr. Venus TANG | Audit committee quality

4. Dr. Tiffany WONG | Transparency in disclosure regimes

Part II LEADERSHIP & PEOPLE

5. Dr. Fareeda CASSUMBHOY | Digital transformation

6. Dr. Rajeev CHIB | Millennials and work engagement

7. Dr. Kuan-thye SEAN | Talent retention

8. Dr. Ridha WIRAKUSUMAH | Leadership in private equity

Part III INNOVATION & TECHNOLOGY

9. Dr. C.K. CHAN | Personalisation in financial e-channels

10. Dr. Toa CHARM | Business intelligence

11. Dr. Steve CHUANG | Innovation in the Greater Bay Area

12. Dr. Albert KOO | Fintech

13. Dr. Michael LEUNG | Risk assessment in digital banks

Part IV MARKETS & GLOBALISATION

14. Dr. HayWood CHEUNG | RMB internationalisation

15. Dr. Barry LEE | Engineering firm internationalisation

16. Dr. Brian LI | Electronic manufacturer globalisation

17. Dr. Wilson YEH | Real estate investment in Southeast Asia

18. Dr. Jerry YU | The US-China trade war and Hong Kong firms

Part V SOCIETY & HUMAN DIMENSIONS

19. Dr. Alan LAl | E-pet health literacy

20. Dr. Frankie YEUNG | Driving insurance business

Foreword I

Professor the Honourable Michael NGAI

Chairman of the Council, City University of Hong Kong

Hong Kong stands as one of the world’s most dynamic international cities where business, culture, and innovation converge. Its unique position as a global educational and financial hub provides fertile ground for new ideas and leadership that shape industries and societies worldwide.

Within this vibrant environment, City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK) has established itself as a forward-looking institution, committed to advancing scholarship and fostering meaningful connections between academia and practice. Guided by resilience and innovation, CityUHK continues to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of higher education in the region and beyond.

Over the years, the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) programme at CityUHK has grown into a distinguished platform for senior executives and prominent business leaders to integrate rigorous research with practical application. The DBA programme has strengthened CityUHK’s reputation as a global university and contributed to Hong Kong’s standing as a centre of thought leadership and business excellence.

As we celebrate the 20th anniversary of the DBA programme, this commemorative book is a tribute to the collective effort that has made the programme a beacon of innovation, internationalisation, and leadership. Its pages are filled with stories of DBA graduates whose research has made significant academic, practical, and societal contributions.

This significant achievement has been made possible through the vision and commitment of the programme leaders as well as the devotion of CityUHK faculty and staff. I also extend our gratitude to our alumni, whose accomplishments embody the programme’s impact, and our current students whose curiosity continues to enrich the programme.

Together, we look forward to inspiring the next generation of global business pioneers, carrying forward the legacy of excellence that defines CityUHK and the DBA programme.