
What We’re Reading
June 2025 Edition
June 2025 Edition
A monthly round-up of what the ICMR team is reading, watching, and listening to. Recommendations are based on what the team finds interesting or thought-provoking, and are not representative of ICMR’s views.
The Fine Line Between Motivation and Manipulation: Rethinking Consumer Engagement Strategies
The article from The Decision Lab explores the nuanced boundary between motivation and manipulation in behavioural design, especially in consumer-facing contexts. It emphasizes that while behavioural science can be used to nudge individuals toward beneficial outcomes, such as saving money or improving health, the same tools can be exploited to serve commercial or political agendas that undermine autonomy. Key to maintaining ethical integrity is the principle of transparency that ensure interventions align with users’ own goals and are implemented with informed consent. The piece urges designers and policymakers to be mindful of intent, agency, and power dynamics when applying behavioural techniques.
How a Flawed Idea is Teaching Millions of Kids to be Poor Readers
Guessing isn’t reading — but that’s what many schools still teach.
This eye-opening report from APM explores how a flawed approach to reading instruction (one that encourages kids to guess words from pictures and context) became so widespread, despite decades of research showing it doesn’t work. Through personal stories and clear science, it unpacks why so many children struggle with reading and what needs to change to fix it.
Business Today: Malaysia’s Family Businesses Rooted In Tradition And Values, But It’s Not Enough
This article highlights that while Malaysian family businesses are strongly rooted in tradition and values, these alone are no longer enough to ensure long-term success. To stay competitive, they must balance heritage with innovation and adaptability. Despite performing well compared to regional and global peers, the lack of focus on change and long-term planning could limit growth and sustainability in an evolving business landscape.