Lotte's distribution group and the Korea Distribution Association said on the 20th that they held the 7th Sangjeon Distribution Academic Award ceremony on the 19th at Signiel Seoul in Songpa-gu, Seoul. This year's grand academic prize went to Han Sang-rin, a professor at Hanyang University.
The Sangjeon Distribution Academic Award, established in 2019 to discover and foster outstanding researchers in distribution studies, was named after the posthumous title "Sangjeon·象殿" of Lotte Group founder Shin Kyuk-ho. It is the only academic award sponsored by corporations for scholars in distribution studies. This year, including one grand academic prize, a total of six winners received prize money totaling 100 million won across three institutional sectors—academic, policy, and logistics—with four best academic research awards and one young scholar award.
Professor Han, who received the grand prize, contributed to the development of distribution research by publishing the most papers in Distribution Research, a leading Korean journal in the field, and a total of 184 papers in major domestic and international journals. In particular, an ESG research paper released in 2021 in the Korean Management Review identified the psychological mechanisms by which corporations' ESG activities affect consumer perception and is regarded as a pioneering study that put a spotlight on the role and importance of ESG management. The paper is recorded as the most-cited paper in Korea's social sciences on Dbpia, a leading academic platform.
Professor Han previously won the top prize in the academic institutional sector at the 2nd Sangjeon Distribution Academic Awards. Han now serves as an adviser to the Korea Distribution Association and is leading discussions on the sustainable development of the distribution industry, including win-win strategies for big-box stores and traditional markets.
The top prize in the academic institutional sector went to Kim Chang-ju, a professor at Japan's Ritsumeikan University, and Heo Won-mu, a professor at Inha University. Kim has released more than 80 papers to date, including 42 in international journals, and is credited with advancing distribution studies at home and abroad. Kim has also served as a bridge to invigorate exchanges between the Korean and Japanese distribution associations.
Professor Heo has authored about 170 papers at home and abroad, focusing on the distribution of services and industrial goods. Through industry-academia forums, Heo has shared AI and digital trends and worked to present strategies applicable on the ground in distribution.
The top prize in the policy institutional sector went to Lee Seong-ho, a professor at Hanbat National University. Through research on the regulatory effects on large distribution facilities and on win-win plans for the digital transformation of traditional markets, Lee presented evidence usable for policy improvements by the government and industry and proposed a balanced direction for distribution policy.
The top prize in the logistics institutional sector went to Lee Tae-hee, a professor at Keimyung University. Professor Lee has released numerous papers in international logistics and supply chain management (SCM), contributing to broadening the base of international logistics research, and is raising awareness of the importance of international logistics and international transportation amid changes in the global environment.
The young scholar award, for researchers who will lead the future of distribution studies, went to Lee Ye-ryeong, a professor at Hwaseong University of Medicine. Professor Lee has continued research based on quantitative analysis, including verifying with actual data the process by which outcomes are achieved in marketing across online and offline distribution channels. In particular, Lee has released numerous papers on digital marketing and has been recognized for research capabilities as an emerging scholar.
At the ceremony, key heads of Lotte's distribution group affiliates attended as presenters to congratulate the winners, including Vice Chairman Kim Sang-hyun, head of Lotte's distribution group; Chung Joon-ho, head of Lotte Department Store; and Gang Seong-hyeon, head of Lotte Mart and Super.
Vice Chairman Kim said, "Academic research outcomes are a great help in enabling the changing distribution industry, based on technological innovation, to secure new growth engines," adding, "Lotte's distribution group will take the lead in supporting outstanding scholars and strive to present a direction for innovation in the distribution industry."