Kiasunomics 2: Economic Insights For Everyday Life. Sumit Agarwal

CPF Central Provident Fund CSC Collective Sale Committee ECP East Coast Parkway EIP Ethnic Integration Policy ERP Electronic Road Pricing EU European Union FFS FE Lakeside, FCL Topaz and Sekisui House GDP Gross Domestic Product GFA Gross Floor Area GPS Global Positioning System GST Goods and Services Tax HDB Housing and Development Board HIP Home Improvement Programme HOS Home Office Scheme IMF International Monetary Fund IRAS Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore IREUS Institute of Real Estate and Urban Studies IU In-Vehicle Unit JTC Jurong Town Corporation K2 Kiasunomics ^© 2 KTM Keretapi Tanah Melayu LED Light Emitting Diode LTA Land Transport Authority MAS Monetary Authority of Singapore MEP Ministry of Environmental Protection MOE Ministry of Education MRT Mass Rapid Transit NEA National Environment Agency NETS Network for Electronic Transfers NO2 Nitrogen Dioxide NTU Nanyang Technological University NTUC National Trades Union Congress NUS National University of Singapore OCD Obsessive Compulsive Disorder PhD Doctor of Philosophy PIE Pan Island Expressway PSI Pollutant Standards Index PSLE Primary School Leaving Examination QR Quick Response REITs Real Estate Investment Trust SARS Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome SERS Selective En bloc Redevelopment Scheme SIBOR Singapore Interbank Offered Rate SO2 Sulphur Dioxide SSRN Social Science Research Network SSS Silver Support Scheme TV Television URA Urban Redevelopment Authority US United States UVD United Venture Development WHO World Health Organization

       Introduction

      After the launch of Kiasunomics^© in 2017, we received very encouraging feedback. We had wanted Singaporeans to know our research and draw learnings for their daily living. We wanted our research to benefit beyond the academic circle. And we have achieved that.

      Not just Singaporeans but people outside Singapore were equally intrigued by our research and the book. Singaporeans began to take a hard look at their behaviour such as energy usage, spending, house purchases, and golf playing; while non-Singaporeans were fascinated by cultural nuances that influence our behaviour.

      We gave talks at book festivals, libraries, conferences, and companies; and were featured in newspapers, magazines, and radio. We are very encouraged and deeply thankful to those who supported us.

      And so, following the tradition of blockbuster movies and doing what comes naturally to Singaporeans, we decided to do the kiasu thing – write a sequel!

      Kiasunomics^©2