Comparing the attractiveness of public and private shopping centres in Hong Kong

Abstract

In the past decades, the performance of shopping centres under government owned was far from satisfaction. Subsequent to the divestment exercise in 2005, HA still owns a small number of remaining shopping centres. In 2012, there was a critical new trial for HA in developing a flagship regional shopping centre, Domain in Yau Tong. Superficially, this new HA shopping mall gives no difference from other private shopping centre no matter in design, outlook or internal layout. The essential point is that HA has made great effort to enhance the attractiveness of Domain. The success of Domain will be influential in the future development of public shopping centres. This research paper will use the SCATTR instrument factors as a measurement to do the questionnaire survey in order to assess whether the difference in management practices will affect the attractiveness of public and private shopping centres in Hong Kong taking consideration of the main management factors of goal complexity, formalization, political control and social responsibility. From the questionnaire survey of shoppers and interview result of managers, I find that, in a certain extent, positive or negative effect to the attractiveness of shopping centres are resulted from the difference in management of public-private sector. Basing on the research findings for relatively weaker in the attraction of public shopping centre, recommendations are given with inclination to the public sector side. Some but not all governmental problems like quality of housing management staff, the traditional barriers & constraints as well as accountability are identified and recommendations are also proposed. However, the essence does not argue that public or private sectors are better but awareness of the differences will enable both sectors‟ managers to be more effective in their own environments. The choice of tools used should balance between the policy compliance and problem solving.