Bulletin Autumn‧Winter 1990

Asia-Pacific Institute of Business (APIB) The APIB was set up in February 1990. In the following interview, its executive director, Dr. Japhet S. Law, talks about the background leading to its establishment, its objectives, and itsfuture plans. • Dr. Japhet Law • CUHK Bulletin • Can you tell us the background leading to the establishment of the APIB? • The business community has been playing a dominant role in the development of Hong Kong from an inconspicuous entrepot to an international financial and trading centre. As an institution of higher learning, the University has made important contributions to the growth and development of Hong Kong by providing management education and by publishing scholarly papers on management issues. Much of this, however, has been done independently with little coordination from members of the business community. The University therefore feels a need to develop closer linkages with the business community and to open up channels for the interchange of ideas and experience. With the establishment of the APIB, existing connections and linkages can be more effectively utilized and expanded. New linkages for cooperation can also be nourished in a systematic way. • You emphasize very much the linkages between academics and the business community. Can you further elaborate on the significance of these linkages? • The basic premise upon which APIB is built is that interaction between business educators and business executives will be beneficial to both in meeting their respective challenges. As the complexities and uncertainties of the business environment increase, managers and entrepreneurs will hav e to seek ways to maintain and strengthen their competitive advantage. It is hoped that through applied research, academics will help them identify and evaluate strategic business opportunities or road maps. On the other hand, through close interaction with managers and entrepreneurs, academics will be more aware of the problems and difficulties faced by the business community. Their teaching will no longer be confined to 'ivory-tower' theories. In this way, the students will also benefit from their experience. Dr. Japhet S. Law Executive Director Dr. Japhet S. Law obtained his Ph.D. degree in mechanical engineering at the University of Texas in Austin in 1976. He then joined the US Space Shuttle Program as a researc h scientist. He was the director of operational research at the Cullen College of Engineering and director of graduate studies in industrial engineering at the University of Houston. In addition, he has served as consultant to various major corporations and government agencies including Texaco, Shell Oil, the Department of Defence, and National Aeronautics and Space Agency. Dr. Law, senior lecturer at the Department of Operations and Systems Management, joined The Chinese University of Hong Kong in 1986. He is concurrently a member of the editorial board of the Asia-Pacific Journal of Operational Research’ the Asia-Pacific Journal of Manufacturing and Operations Management; and the Annals of Logistics Engineering. Asia-Pacific Institute of Business 11