This news covers certain perspectives in communication that we have learnt this week.
From "The World Bank said Singapore simplified business start-ups by making it possible to incorporate a company and register for taxes by using the same online form.", it shows that Singapore uses the psychological perspective to enable messages encoded to be in a clear, lively and appropriate ways. It makes use of the transactional model as it is a process of simultaneous exchange between communicators.
From "Everything is done electronically, very secure and the land transfer is a question of an hour. It's the most efficient system that we have seen globally, and that could maybe be an inspiration for how to move forward in Singapore.", social constructionist perspective is being used in the communication. Although this involves people with different cultural traditions globally, by doing everything electronically, it shows that people have shared roles and rules. Hence, it helped Singapore to improve in their ranks globally.
It also covers pragmatic perspective because these moves or acts are repeated and it results in payoff whereby Singapore has maintained in the top ranking for the fourth year straight.
I feel that Singapore has maintained its top ranking is mainly because of the authorities placed in the business sector who knows how to engage people globally to start their businesses in Singapore. One of the reasons is that Singapore has made it easier to register property with their improved computerised system. It goes to show that the advance in the computerised systems is the main factor that maintained the top ranking. However, Singapore has to explore other ways and not be dependent on the computerised systems. If the computerised systems ever go wrong, Singapore has no other backup plans. Therefore, it is necessary for Singapore to explore different ways of maintaining its top position in the world.
I do agree with you that Singapore is one of the easiest place to start a business, taking into account the strategic location of the country which is at the centre of SEA.
ReplyDeleteHowever, one does not feel that computerised systems is one of the main systems that helped Singapore make its ranking. It is merely a plus factor which Singapore would inevitably use. In fact, not only Singpore, the rest of the world would sooner or later employ such systems as part of man's advancement in technology. Such systems merely reduces time and cost for the people and for the Govenment.
In addition, one feels that the size of Singapore and its transport route are one of the biggest reasons why Singpore could be one of the easiest place to do business. As the country is small and we have sound planning of the roads. Things like traffic jams in Singapore are much less serious than in other countries and time taken to transport goods or travel is significantly lesser.
Most importantly, Singapore has many international banks which makes it sound to set up and do business here. The government also gives out many incentives so as to attract people to set up and do business here in Singapore as part of keeping Singapore competitive.
yes yes totally agree with "not be dependent on the computerised systems." if system really down, i think everything will be in a mess. kinda true that its easy to do business in spore, govt is encouraging more foreign investors.
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteI find that your argument was incomplete and inconsistent.
You mention in your last paragraph that your main point is that Singapore uses people who are able to communicate with foreign businessman. However, the rest of the paragraph argues about Singapore reliability on I.T, which it seems to be you sub-point and you did not argue about using people who are able to communicate with foreign businessman.
I do believe is all about communication in business. And one way is using the computerised systems which is much more efficient, reliable and widely used worldwide.
However, besides that, Singapore is of course stategically located in Southeast asia. Based on that, Singapore has build good reputation throughout the years in business commerce. The Singapore government has seen the importance of having a good image especially for a global trading center. Thus, Singapore evolutionised to became a secured global-city state, which is an ideal environment for foreign businessman. And with this reputation, Singapore became a reliable country to set up a business.
I agree on the fact that Singapore is very much relying heavily on technology. If something goes wrong with the data, well, we are basically screwed. Still, what country does not depend heavilly on technology, now that we are in the 21st century. So far I have never heard of this computerised system giving problems and therefore I think that the chances of this system ever going wrong is very slim.
ReplyDeleteIt's quite an interesting read. However, I felt the post could have been better backed by several other different resources. I do agree that it's relatively easy to start up a business here in Singapore. But that don't equate to being successful as a businessman, but that's a whole different story to talk about.
ReplyDeleteIt seems that you are taking quite a biased stand. You should consider looking at why Malaysia (or even Indonesia), our neighbour is different from us. There's really plenty that we can discuss about eg. Singapore's strategical location for trading in SEA, Singapore's small size but high population, Singapore's solid infrastructure in transport and communications, etc.
There's really many reasons why it is easy to start up a business here in Singapore, partly also because the government supports it. The government encourage foreigners to setup their plants and firms here. That's how Singapore's economy will grow. Singapore do not have natural resources or anything much to export, that's why we need to rely on these other stuffs to start trading.
So, remember not to dwell too much on IT. IT to me, is very much a small little factor that helps facilitate the startup of business but there's probably many other things that are driving this whole thing. Well, I hope I make sense.
I look forward to read more entries from you!
I would say that, in this entry, there was much more emphasis on the usage of computerized system than the leadership of our government.
ReplyDeleteWhile it is true that with technology, the process time of starting up a business might be shortened. However, this would not be possible without proper guidelines and strategic planning from our government.
Technology, I would say, is just the icing on the cake. After Singapore gained independance, the government have been actively courting foreign investors by lowering taxes for them. We also provided the infrastructure for them so as to faciliate the various businesses. Provisions have been made so that factories and main core business are clustered together. Think Tuas and CBD area.
With that, plus the solid reputation that Singapore has, it is with little wonder that we are ranked top in the survey. Technology, like what I mentioned in my previous prose, is just the icing on the cake. I would believe that contingencies are already in place should anything happen to the online system. It is very unlike Singapore to execute plans without any contingencies.
But in all, it is a very nice blog post that will set many thinking.
Hey,
ReplyDeleteI do agree with you about Singapore having a fantastic computerized system that helps in our business deals because of its efficiency and convenience.
Would like to point out that one of the reasons that this is possible is due to our country's small built. As seen on the charts, Hong Kong, another small country (in comparison to the many countries of the world) is right behind us! I feel that our small size is a vital factor propelling Singapore in our conquest to become a cosmopolitan tech hub. It makes having wireless all around accomplish-able and as no one is able to be 'too far away' from all these tech as everyone reaches a 'city' in around 2 mins, everyone can be involved, and will be better exposed to all this tech, lending a hand to achieving a nation of people knowledgeble enough about IT to use these complex websites that we, as the article reports, function on. (Okay, that was a realy long sentance.)
Another point I would like to make is one totally unrelated to my first point. Referring to your second para, I disagree with your stand about the 'same online forms' being a transactional model as I feel that it fits more of an interactive model due to the time lag when communicating through the website.
That's all! Thanks for the interesting read! :D
Before computers were introduced, who would have thought that the mass data we have, could be organized in such an orderly manner? This technology has brought great convenience to us but has also made us very dependent on it.
ReplyDeleteMany would have thought that it is the most efficient way to do almost anything. However, in business, the quality of product and the service provided is of utmost importance. This is something that many would lack or tend to forget.
In Service, there is a great importance placed on the interactions between the service provider and the customer. We say that service is inseparable as it creates flexibility of what customers can receive. An example would be people of the older generation may not know how to make use of computer systems to register certain documents. As a result, they may end up filling in the wrong data which would cause inaccuracy in the details filled in.
In my opinion, I feel that Singapore’s customer service is still lacking this area. No doubt we have foreign investors or international companies however; small enterprisers such as road side and hawker stall should provide the similar standard of service to customers. Japan is a good example to learn from as they place their customers before self. If we follow in their footsteps, we would be able to balance out the quality of services in Singapore. With that, Singapore will surpass other countries in no time.
Hi,
ReplyDeleteI agree to a certain extend regarding the efficiency of computerized systems.
With the advances in technology in Singapore, things are done easily as thing can be done electronically and in a very efficient way. We can be less dependent on pen and papers unless needed. However, in cases such as system breakdown and or power failure, everything would turn out in a mess if the business is over dependent on the advances in computer systems.
But despite the disadvantages, with the advances of technology, it is easy to do business in Singapore, and it also attracts foreigners to start their business in Singapore too.
Nice post anyway, hope to see more soon!
I do agree with you that Singapore has a good computerised system and that we should also have a back-up plan in the event that Singapore's computerised system fails to function.
ReplyDeleteIt is good to a certain extent that Singapore is very advanced in the aspect of technology but we should also know that one cannot totally rely on technology for results.
Thus, we should weigh the pros and cons of technology and its uses before relying totally on it for the country's business economy.
being too dependent on technology is like having a double edged sword. there are definitely advantages and disadvantages. obviously the advantage would be high efficiency. However, this could to lead to an increase in cyber thefts. dealing with large amount of money online would means exposing to higher risks having personal details leaked out to others. even though there are online security measures in place, one can never be too reliant on these measures
ReplyDeleteIt is inevitable that Singapore is caught up in the technological race. With the help of technology, things are done faster but costs more money.
ReplyDeleteWhat is more important is how Singapore is able to keep up with the times and make changes in order to cater to demands of the global economy. I think that this ability to be relevant in the changing times will definitely be beneficial to Singapore in the long run. Singaporeans have to also be forward-looking and be willing to innovate in order to sustain this direction of the Singapore economy.
I agree that the improvement in technology indeed plays an important role in encouraging business to be set up in Singapore as it allows connectivity throughout the world which will open the economy to the many markets.
ReplyDeleteHowever, the statement, It's the most efficient system that we have seen globally, and that could maybe be an inspiration for how to move forward in Singapore.", is rather doubtful. This is because in the papers recently, it was published that the broadband connection in Singapore is uncomparable with those abroad like Japan. This may lower the competitiveness of Singapore in the global market.
Therefore, I feel that improvements have to be made before one can proclaim that Singapore is the easiest place to do business.
the technological system which Singapore harnesses is, without a doubt, vital to the process of starting up a business in the country. Most importantly, i think that other factors such as political stability, good structual planning, etc, are in place to facilitate business set-up in Singapore. It is also the way we innovate and our far-sightedness that has brought us this far as a global business hub.
ReplyDeleteFrom what I've skimmed through, everyone mainly highlighted the aid of banks and government in business set-ups. What is missed here is the integration of the spirit and value of entrepreneurship into schools' curriculum. Often, we are encouraged to be innovative and execute our own initiatives. Remember the times when we had to set up a stall for the school bazaar? Each class has its own type of stall - food, games, entertainment, souvenirs - you name it. Even though the proceeds go to charity or the community chest, students learnt how to maintain a stall and understand the dual role of consumers and providers. Effective communication is therefore important in getting students to understand this message of entrepreneurship and even philanthropy.
ReplyDelete