Han Sangrin of Hanyang University Wins Sangjeon Distribution Academic Grand Prize for Illuminating the Role of ESG

Lotte Distribution Group Holds 'Sangjeon Distribution Academic Awards' Ceremony
Total Prize of 100 Million Won Awarded to Six Recipients
The Only Domestic Event Where a Corporation Supports Scholars in Distribution Studies
Award Named After the Pen Name of Lotte Founder Shin Kyuk-ho

Lotte Distribution Group and the Korea Distribution Society announced on November 20 that they held the 7th Sangjeon Distribution Academic Awards Ceremony at Signiel Seoul in Songpa-gu, Seoul on November 19.

The Sangjeon Distribution Academic Awards were established in 2019 to discover and foster outstanding researchers in the field of distribution studies. The award is named after the pen name of the late Shin Kyuk-ho, founder of Lotte Group (Sangjeon). It is the only academic award sponsored by a corporation for scholars in the distribution field. This year, a total of 100 million won in prize money was awarded to six recipients: one Academic Grand Prize winner, four Best Academic Research Award winners across the fields of academia, policy, and logistics, and one New Researcher Award winner.

Sangrin Han, Professor at Hanyang University. Provided by Lotte Distribution Group

This year's Academic Grand Prize was awarded to Han Sangrin, Professor at Hanyang University. Professor Han was recognized for his contributions to the development of distribution studies, having published a total of 184 papers in major domestic and international academic journals, including the largest number of papers in Korea's leading distribution journal, "Journal of Distribution Research." In particular, his 2021 paper on ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) published in the "Korean Journal of Business Administration" was evaluated as a pioneering study that illuminated the role and importance of ESG management by identifying the psychological mechanisms through which corporate ESG activities influence consumer perceptions.

This paper was recorded as the most cited paper in the social sciences category on Korea's leading academic platform, Dbpia. Professor Han previously received the Best Academic Award at the 2nd Sangjeon Distribution Academic Awards and, as an advisor to the Korea Distribution Society, has led discussions on the sustainable development of the distribution industry, including ways for large discount stores and traditional markets to coexist.

The Best Academic Award in the academic category went to Kim Changju, Professor at Ritsumeikan University in Japan, and Heo Wonmu, Professor at Inha University. Professor Kim has published more than 80 papers to date, 42 of which have been published in international journals, and is recognized for his contributions to the advancement of distribution studies both domestically and internationally. He has also served as a bridge for exchanges between Korean and Japanese distribution societies. Professor Heo has authored about 170 papers on service and industrial goods distribution, and has contributed to the field by sharing artificial intelligence (AI) and digital trends through industry-academic forums and proposing strategies applicable to the distribution field.

At the 7th Sangjeon Distribution Academic Award Ceremony, the awardees are posing for a commemorative photo. From the left: Kyungdo Park, President of the Korea Distribution Society; Taehee Lee, Professor at Keimyung University (Best Logistics Award); Wonmu Heo, Professor at Inha University (Best Academic Award); Sangrin Han, Professor at Hanyang University (Academic Grand Prize); Changju Kim, Professor at Ritsumeikan University (Best Academic Award); Seongho Lee, Professor at National Hanbat University (Best Policy Award); Yeryeong Lee, Professor at Hwaseong Medical University (New Researcher Award); and Sanghyun Kim, Vice Chairman and General Manager of Lotte Distribution Group. Provided by Lotte Distribution Group.

The Best Policy Award was given to Lee Seongho, Professor at National Hanbat University. Professor Lee provided evidence that can be used by the government and industry to improve policies through his research on the regulatory effects of large-scale distribution facilities and win-win strategies for the digital transformation of traditional markets, and proposed balanced policy directions for the distribution sector. In addition, Lee Taehee, Professor at Keimyung University, received the Best Logistics Award. Professor Lee has contributed to expanding the research base in international logistics and supply chain management (SCM) by publishing numerous papers, and is raising awareness of the importance of international logistics and transportation in the context of global environmental changes.

The New Researcher Award, recognizing up-and-coming scholars who will lead the future of distribution studies, was awarded to Lee Yeryeong, Professor at Hwaseong Medical University. Professor Lee has continued research based on quantitative analysis, such as verifying the process by which marketing activities in online and offline distribution channels lead to performance using real data. In particular, she has demonstrated her research capabilities as a new scholar by publishing numerous papers on digital marketing.

Sanghyun Kim, Vice Chairman and General Manager of Lotte Distribution Group, stated, "Academic research is playing a significant role in helping the distribution industry, which is evolving based on technological innovation, secure new growth engines. Lotte Distribution Group will continue to take the lead in supporting outstanding scholars and strive to set the direction for innovation in the distribution industry."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.