January 10, 2024. Shanghai – From technological development to geopolitical upheaval and uncertain economic prospects, 2024 promises to be a year of change. We asked some of our faculty members to offer their predictions for the year ahead; read on to find out what they think the next 12 months may have in store.

Nana Yaa A. Gyamfi

Lecturer of Management

“I predict that significant leaps will be made in the development of AI this year, and this will play a definitive role in how human capital is recruited and managed. Rather than wipe out jobs and livelihoods as feared, the innovations will unlock new levels of versatility in people, making for exciting changes in how work is organised and executed.”

Frank Yu

Professor of Finance, Associate Dean & Director of Finance MBA Programme

“In 2024, I anticipate a significant shift in global investment trends, with a marked increase in sustainable and ESG investments. As awareness and regulations around climate change intensify, I expect a surge in green financing and ESG-compliant portfolios, influencing major investment decisions across sectors.”

Bala Ramasamy

Professor of Economics, Associate Dean & Director of Global EMBA Programme

“I am optimistic about 2024. The Chinese authorities have taken a string of measures to revive the economy – increasing liquidity in the money market, cleaning up local government finances, easing visa requirements to promote tourism and business travel, etc. We should begin to see the impact by Chinese New Year or latest by March 2024. However, 2024 is also an election year in the US, which means political rhetoric and China bashing will be stepped up. It’s we, who are key opinion leaders within our circles, who should feel confident about the future of China, and that will definitely make a difference!”

Guo Bai

Assistant Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship

“2024 will be a year of change. For business leaders, changes can mean risk, but they also embody opportunities. I observe three mega trends ahead. First, Chinese consumers will become increasingly more sensible and their preferences more diverse. Second, new technological breakthroughs, especially generative AI, will continue to materialize. Third, Chinese companies will continue to explore overseas markets and become more active in international competition. All three trends can indicate the destruction of the old and the ample space for the new and innovative to grow. The question is: who will seize the chances and how?”

Albert Hu

Professor of Economics

“The Chinese economy will continue to gain strength, not least because the government is likely to step up fiscal and monetary stimulus. Geopolitical tensions will remain a headwind for China.”

Gianfranco Siciliano

Assistant Professor of Accounting

“In 2024, the critical issue will be information pollution (disinformation and misinformation), which affects and accentuates several global risks, such as climate, conflicts and geo-economic confrontation, human trafficking, and migration. I advocate more urgent actions, including research and business leader involvement, to address the harm caused by deliberate information pollution, especially as it increasingly affects both societal and business aspects.”

Matthias Spitzmuller

Associate Professor of Organisational Behavior

“In the age of ChatGPT, knowledge has become ubiquitous. Highly specialised knowledge is available in a heartbeat, even to novices. Thus, knowledge by itself is no longer an effective differentiator for businesses. More than ever, the focus will shift from the tangible to the intangible, from the management of products and services to the management of people and cultures. Of growing importance here is the management of interfaces that exist between different functional domains of knowledge, hierarchical levels, within and across organisations, and across time. So, how can an organisation manage the interfaces that determine how it integrates the wealth of knowledge that is at their disposal? The answer to this question may seem like an old-fashioned one in the time of AI: there will be an increasing emphasis on integrative leadership that connects people across boundaries within and across organisations.”

Dr. Robert Straw

CEIBS Zurich CEO

“Buckle up and get ready for a roller-coaster ride! Over half the world’s population will vote on their national leadership in 2024. The tensions in the Ukraine and the mid-East will continue to dampen geopolitics. Recession could hit many economies and China could possibly fall into deflation, which would not be good as it is THE engine of global growth. AI will continue to fascinate us, but debates about ethics will probably result in the taming of AI via regulation. In 2024, firms and households globally should tighten their belts and focus on fitness and stability, not growth.”