Biography
Dr Tan Yeng May (Yeng-May Tan) is currently the Head of the Master of Economics in Finance program and an Assistant Professor of Finance at the School of Economics and Management (SEM), Xiamen University Malaysia. With over two decades of academic experience, she brings a wealth of classroom expertise and is deeply committed to advancing knowledge through teaching and research. She led the establishment of SEM’s first postgraduate program and currently serves as Chair of the Postgraduate Committee. She also chaired the school’s External Affairs Committee from 2020 to 2024.
Research Interest
ESG analysis; Sustainable Finance and Economics; Fintech and Digital Finance; Finance and Entrepreneurship; Investing Strategies; Corporate Governance.
Educational Background
PhD in Finance
Graduate School of Management, Universiti Putra Malaysia, MalaysiaMaster of Business Administration (MBA) in Finance
College of Business, University of Missouri-Columbia, USABachelor of Science (BSc) in Finance, Magna Cum Laude
College of Business, University of Missouri-Columbia, USA
Working Experience
Head of Program, Master of Economics in Finance, School of Economics and Management, Xiamen University Malaysia (2023 – present)
Assistant Professor, School of Economics and Management, Xiamen University Malaysia (2017 – present)
Chair, Postgraduate Committee, School of Economics and Management, Xiamen University Malaysia (2023 – present)
Chair, External Affairs, School of Economics and Management, Xiamen University Malaysia (2020 – 2024)
Program Leader, Master of Economics in Finance, School of Economics and Management, Xiamen University Malaysia (2022 – 2023)
Senior Lecturer, School of Foundation Studies, Xiamen University Malaysia (2016-2017)
Other private universities in Malaysia
Marketing Executive, Hagemeyer Trading Sdn Bhd
Institutional Trainee Dealer, SJ Securities Sdn Bhd
Research Experience
Individual Consultant/Resource Person. Demographic structure and productive entrepreneurship: an empirical analysis, Asian Development Bank (ADB) (2025).
Co-researcher. A Study on the Localization Development Path of Zhejiang Enterprises after 'Going Global’ - Based on Practical Experience and Strategic Insights from Southeast Asia, Zhejiang Provincial Accounting Research Program 2025, China (2025). (PI: Jingxing Holdings (M) Sdn Bhd)
Co-researcher. Impact of Environmental Performance on Financial Constraints: A Comparison between Climate-Sensitive Firms and Climate-Insensitive Firms, Xiamen University Malaysia Research Fund (2024-2026).
Individual Consultant/Resource Person. Digital entrepreneurship in Asia for economic resilience and post-pandemic recovery, Asian Development Bank (ADB) (2023).
Principal Investigator. An AI Approach to Develop ESG (Environment, Social, and Governance)-incorporated Tool for Impact Investing Portfolio Management, Fundamental Research Grant Scheme (FRGS), Malaysia (2020-2023).
Co-researcher. Developing Climate-risk Adaptation Indices towards Supporting Access to Finance for Climate-sensitive Sectors in Malaysia, Fundamental Research Grant Scheme (FRGS), Malaysia (2022-2025).
Co-researcher. A Simulation Model to Use Algal Biodiesel and Animal Feed to Improve Energy/Food Security in Malaysia, Fundamental Research Grant Scheme (FRGS), Malaysia (2020-2022).
Principal Investigator. Investor Sentiment and Stock Returns in Malaysia, Xiamen University Malaysia Research Fund (2018).
Representative Publications
Yeng-May Tan*, Erkko Autio, Gemma Estrada, Donghyun Park, & Gazi Salah Uddin (forthcoming). The quality of digital entrepreneurship systems and economic resilience: A cross-country analysis during COVID-19. The Singapore Economic Review. (SSCI [IF Q3; JCI Q2] & Scopus). *Corresponding author.
Yeng-May Tan, Haowei Yang, Moau-Yong Toh, & Kenneth Sculczyk (forthcoming). Do global investors weather the storm? Evidence from Mainland China and Hong Kong Stock markets. Asian Economic and Financial Review. (Scopus [Q2]).
Kenneth Sculczyk, Jessy Angelica, & Yeng-May Tan* (forthcoming). Do good neighbors lead to lower greenhouse gas emissions across countries? A spatial analysis. Asian Journal of Economic Modeling. (Scopus [Q3]). *Corresponding author.
Yeng-May Tan., José Ernesto Amorós, Erkko Autio, Kun Fu, & Donghyun Park (April 2025). The impact of digitalization on entrepreneurial innovation: A comparative analysis between developing economies in Asia and in other regions. ADB (Asian Development Bank) Economics Working Paper Series No. 776. https://dx.doi.org/10.22617/WPS250145-2
Kun Fu, José Ernesto Amorós, Erkko Autio, Donghyun Park, & Yeng-May Tan (April 2025). How do institutions shape productive entrepreneurship across levels of economic development? A multilevel analysis. ADB (Asian Development Bank) Economics Working Paper Series No. 775. https://dx.doi.org/10.22617/WPS250144-2
Yeng-May Tan, & Kenneth Sculczyk (2024). Enhancing the commercial viability of commercial algal bioethanol production: The role of technological advancements. Bioresource Technology Reports. (Scopus [Q1]). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biteb.2024.101937
Yeng-May Tan, Erkko Autio, Gemma Estrada, Donghyun Park, & Gazi Salah Uddin (February 2024). The nexus between digitalization, entrepreneurial ecosystem quality, and economic resilience: A cross-country analysis during COVID-19. ADB (Asian Development Bank) Economics Working Paper Series No. 716. https://dx.doi.org/10.22617/WPS240033-2
Yeng-May Tan*, Kenneth Sculczyk, & Yew-Hei Sii (2023). Performance of ESG-integrated smart beta strategies in Asia-Pacific stock markets. Research in International Business and Finance, 66, 102008. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ribaf.2023.102008 (SSCI [Q1] & Scopus [Q1]). *Corresponding author.
Li Hui, & Tan Yeng May* (2022). Valuation effect of corporate name change in Chinese technology stocks. Asian Academy of Management Journal of Accounting and Finance, 18(1), 59-74. https://doi.org/10.21315/aamjaf2022.18.1.3 (Scopus [Q3] & ESCI). *Corresponding author.
Kenneth Szulczyk, & Yeng-May Tan (2022). Economic feasibility and sustainability of commercial bioethanol from microalgal biomass: The case of Malaysia. Energy, 253, 1-12. (SCI [Q1] & Scopus [Q1]). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2022.124151
Liang Ye, & Yeng-May Tan* (2021). Noise trader risk: Evidence from China’s stock market. Capital Market Review, 29(1), 59-72. (ABDC [C]). *Corresponding author.
Li Hui., & Tan Yeng May* (2020, November 24). Valuation effect of corporate name change in Chinese technology stocks. CFA Institute Asia-Pacific Research Exchange. *Corresponding author.
Tan Yeng May*, & Cheng Fan Fah (2019). Industry- and liquidity-based momentum in Australian equities. Financial Innovation, 5(43), doi:10.1186/s40854-019-0155-z. (SSCI [Q1] & Scopus [Q1]). *Corresponding author.
Yeng-May Tan*, Cheng Fan Fah, & Taufiq Hassan (2018). Impacts of ownership concentration and liquidity on stock momentum in Malaysia. Asian Academy of Management Journal of Accounting and Finance, 14(1), 57-81. (Scopus [Q3] & ESCI). *Corresponding author.
Tan Yeng May*, Cheng Fan Fah, & Taufiq Hassan (2014). Momentum profitability in Malaysia. Pertanika Social Sciences and Humanities, 22(S), 1-16. (Scopus [Q3]).
Honors / Awards
Professional Certifications & Appointments
Associate Member of the Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Technologies for Agricultural Advancement and a Zero-Waste Economy (Stargaze) (XMUM)
July 2025 - Present
Certified Training Professional (CTP), Finance Accreditation Agency (FAA)
Valid: December 8, 2021 – December 7, 2024
Accreditation Panelist (FAP), Finance Accreditation Agency (FAA)
Since 2018
Academic & Research Awards
Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Best Paper Award, 2020
CFA Professor Scholarship, 2018-2020
MyBrain15 (MyPhD), Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia
Undergraduate & Graduate Scholarships
University of Missouri-Columbia, USA
MBA Achievement Award
Mary E. and Martha J. Briegel Scholarship
Grant-in-Aid Scholarship
Dean’s Honor List