Purpose: This study aims to show how best practices and baseline surveys influence the development of the audit committees (ACs) in Singapore Listed Companies over the period from 2008 to 2019. Design/methodology/approach: This is a descriptive study of the evolution of the composition and attributes of ACs through data collected from the annual reports of listed companies in Singapore for the period from 2008 to 2019. It analyzes the development of the ACs arising from the best practices in the market and disclosures on ACs over this period. Findings: The results show positive developments in the composition and attributes of ACs as advocated by best practices in the market which are derived from the Singapore Code of Corporate Governance and various studies on the roles and functions of effective ACs. The study also shows that disclosing the extent of compliance of the ACs to best practices helps them to progress. It clearly shows that progressive ACs are influenced by both best practices in the market and disclosure requirements. Practical implications: This study is important for regulation and policy promulgation on ACs to support a well-functioning capital market. This paper strongly encourages capital markets to embark on such baseline surveys to allow them to have a better understanding of the state of the ACs of their listed companies. Originality/value: This is an original descriptive study that provides evidence on the development of ACs over time to converge toward market best practices on ACs. Disclosure of the state of compliance to best practices is a powerful force for progression.

Despite predictions that organized religion would decline with modernization and economic development, some forms of Christianity are thriving, particularly evangelically-oriented churches in the Southern hemisphere. However, their doctrine and strategies are not without controversy. Megachurches, Protestant churches with congregations exceeding 2000 members often embrace marketing and preach a version of ‘prosperity gospel’ where material success is taken to be proof of spiritual blessing. North American in origin, this form of religious organization has expanded throughout South East Asia. In this paper, we use a case study of a megachurch in Singapore – City Harvest Church – to explore how their involvement in marketing and the marketplace is constructed. Using a discourse analytic methodology, our findings show how the church purposefully uses the normative dichotomy between the sacred and secular to frame the meaning of their involvement in the marketplace, targeting particular types of enterprising and professionally-oriented individuals to embody their mission. Further we show how this construction reflects the pragmatism, entrepreneurial and business orientation of Singapore. Our research suggests potential for further study of the way the relationship between religion, markets and marketing are constructed, using methods that incorporate an understanding of context.