request for research proposal (rfp)

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REQUEST FOR RESEARCH PROPOSAL (RFP)

Page 1 of 6 The Asian Institute of Finance (“AIF”) is a think tank jointly established by Bank Negara Malaysia and the Securities Commission of Malaysia to enhance human capital development and talent management across the financial services industry (“FSI”) in Asia. In line with this aim, AIF is committed to produce high quality of research reports.

To support its work in the area of research, AIF is offering research funds to qualified researchers on various topics related to the financial services industry. The list of topics is as follows:

1. Human Resource (HR) Transformation

2. State of Ethics in the Financial Services Industry Across Asia 3. Digital Banking

4. Crowdfunding

5. Is ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) relevant to Gen Y professionals?

The RFP is to be read in conjunction with the GUIDELINES FOR AIF RESEARCH FUND SCHEME.

All interested parties are encouraged to submit their research proposal(s) by email as a PDF attachment to [email protected] using the attached RESEARCH FUND APPLICATION FORM. The review process is expected to last about 2 weeks, but may take longer. Please take note all the important dates listed in the outline.

If additional information is needed, please contact AIF:

Tel: +603 2787 1903 (Mr Mafrukhin Mokhtar) Email: [email protected]

We thank you for your interest in AIF’s Request for Research Proposal and look forward to working with you.

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REQUEST FOR RESEARCH PROPOSAL (RFP)

Page 2 of 6 RESEARCH TOPIC 1

Research Topic HUMAN RESOURCE (HR) TRANSFORMATION

Research Outline

In the last two decades, the role of human resources (HR) has grown exponentially. Traditionally, HR’s role was limited to administrative functions such as recruitment, payroll, benefits administration, and employees' compensation.

But the world of work has evolved and becoming increasingly complex with talent as the primary driver of organisation’s success. HR Professionals are now expected to play a pivotal role in an organisation's business strategy.

What are the trends in HR transformation practices in the financial services industry? What are some of the key drivers in HR Transformation? Are HR professionals ready to take on the role of a business partner?

Fund Amount RM40,000.00

Project Duration 7 Months

Important Dates and Timeline

A. Proposal Submission and Appointment

- Proposal Submission - Proposal Assessment - Result

- Appointment of Researcher B. Research Project timeline

- Start date

- Full draft report submission - Full draft report review by Asian

Institute of Finance

- Full draft report amendment by Researcher

- Completion Date

(Final Report Submission)

01/01/2015 – 31/01/2015 01/02/2015 – 15/02/2015

20/02/2015 23/02/2015 – 27/02/2015

01/03/2015 31/08/2015 01/09/2015 – 14/09/2015 15/09/2015 – 30/09/2015

01/10/2015

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REQUEST FOR RESEARCH PROPOSAL (RFP)

Research Topic STATE OF ETHICS IN THE FINANCIAL SERVICES INDUSTRY ACROSS ASIA

The global financial crisis and its aftermath have raised pertinent questions as to practices of finance professionals. According to the Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission in their report on the financial crisis, there had been a “systemic breakdown in accountability and ethics”.

Greed and unethical behaviour were blamed as the culprit behind the crisis, raising concerns over the ethical state of the financial services industry and those who work in it. What is considered ethical in financial services? What is the current state of ethics in the financial services industry? What is being done to improve adherence to ethical standards? Are there financial benefits to individuals and financial institutions to improve adherence in ethical behaviour?

Fund Amount RM40,000.00

Project Duration 7 Months

- Start date

- Completion Date

(Final Report Submission)n

01/01/2015 – 31/01/2015 01/02/2015 – 15/02/2015

20/02/2015 23/02/2015 – 27/02/2015

01/03/2015 31/08/2015 01/09/2015 – 14/09/2015 15/09/2015 – 30/09/2015

01/10/2015

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REQUEST FOR RESEARCH PROPOSAL (RFP)

Research Topic DIGITAL BANKING

Financial institutions cannot ignore the wave of mobile and digital trends with mobile phones have increasingly become tools that consumers use for banking, payments, budgeting, and shopping.

Organisations will need to focus efforts in engaging the mobile bankers to go further than checking of balances by looking into factors such as adoption of mobile technology and access to wireless connections.

What are the trends in adoption and use of mobile banking and payments? What impact has digital banking had on the customer's expectation of retail service? Has digital banking changed the way consumers spend and save? How has availability of this channel affected usage of more traditional means of banking?

Fund Amount RM40,000.00

- Start date

- Completion Date

01/01/2015 – 31/01/2015 01/02/2015 – 15/02/2015

20/02/2015 23/02/2015 – 27/02/2015

01/03/2015 30/06/2015 01/07/2015 – 14/07/2015 15/07/2015 – 31/07/2015

01/08/2015

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REQUEST FOR RESEARCH PROPOSAL (RFP)

Research Topic CROWDFUNDING

Advancement of technology and the social media have played its role in the financial industry, acting as an alternative market-based platform to aid businesses and providing better connection to investors as well as clients. Added to the fact that Malaysia has the second highest social media penetration rate in SEA, crowdfunding has managed to fuel innovations and collaborations in research, business and society alike. The recent issuance of a public consultation paper for equity crowdfunding by Securities Commission Malaysia highlights its growing importance as an emerging alternative source of financing especially for start-ups.

What is the state of crowdfunding? How have technological trends such as social media, mobile, and cloud computing impacted the growth of crowdfunding? How has crowdfunding changed the financing landscape?

Fund Amount RM40,000.00

Project Duration 5 Months

Important Dates

and Timeline A. Proposal Submission and Appointment

- Start date

- Completion Date

01/01/2015 – 31/01/2015 01/02/2015 – 15/02/2015

20/02/2015 23/02/2015 – 27/02/2015

01/04/2015 31/07/2015 01/08/2015 – 14/08/2015 15/08/2015 – 30/08/2015

01/09/2015

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REQUEST FOR RESEARCH PROPOSAL (RFP)

Research Topic IS ASEAN ECONOMIC COMMUNITY (AEC) RELEVANT TO GEN Y PROFESSIONALS?

The Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) will form an integrated economic community in 2015. Despite this grand plan and the potentially big impact it will have, the young generation still lacks awareness regarding the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC).

Many young professionals are not catching up with the development of this community such as on what to prepare and what the effect AEC has on competitiveness and employment mobility. Within ASEAN, Gen Y accounts currently for over 22% of the population. By 2020, 55% of ASEAN’s working-age population will be between 20 and 39 years old.

How relevant is AEC to the younger generation? Do they have a clear understanding of the impact of AEC? How will Gen Y reshape the world of work in ASEAN?

Fund Amount RM40,000.00

- Start date

- Completion Date

01/01/2015 – 31/01/2015 01/02/2015 – 15/02/2015

20/02/2015 23/02/2015 – 27/02/2015

01/03/2015 30/06/2015 01/07/2015 – 14/07/2015 15/07/2015 – 31/07/2015

01/08/2015