Award Competitions and Coordinators

  • Best Paper Awards

    Track chairs will nominate the best papers that pertain to the theory and/or practice in their tracks.  Each track chair can nominate up to three papers deserving of consideration for the Best Paper Awards.

    1. Only full papers will be considered for the awards, thus your paper must be received by the full paper deadline.
    2. Track chairs will, relying on the reviews and their discretion, submit up to three nominations for the awards.
    3. Track chairs will specify for which of the following categories they would like each of their nominations to be considered:
    • Best Conceptual Research Paper
    • Best Theory-Driven Empirical Research Paper
    • Best Problem-Driven Analytical Research Paper
    • Best Learning and Education Research Paper
    • Best Inter-disciplinary Paper
    • Best Student Paper
    1. The same paper may not be nominated for more than one category.
    2. There can be multiple nominations from a track chair for a single category.
    3. The deadline for the track chair nominations for the awards will be two weeks from the review and decision deadline for the papers.
    4. Candidates must register for and present their paper at the 2023 Annual Meeting of the Decision Sciences Institute in order to qualify. For co-authored cases, a minimum of one author must register for the meeting.

    The Best Paper Awards committee, composed by a Chair and four other experienced scholars, will review the shortlisted papers and, based on reviews received, their own reviews and rankings, will select the winners.

    Questions about the Best Paper Award for the 2023 Annual Conference of the Decision Sciences Institute can be directed to the Coordinator.

    Coordinator:  Elliot Rabinovich, elliot.rabinovich@asu.edu

  • Best Teaching Case Studies Award

    This competition identifies and recognizes outstanding teaching case studies related to all DSI disciplines. All case authors are invited to submit their new and innovative cases to the competition.

    Eligibility:

    To be eligible for consideration, a submission must meet the following criteria:

    1. The case cannot have won the DSI Best Teaching Case Studies Award at a previous meeting.
    2. The case must have been written in the past five years (since 2018) and must not have been formally accepted in print or through a Case Clearing House (e.g., Darden, Ivey, etc.).
    3. Finalists must register for and present their cases at the 2023 Annual Meeting of the Decision Sciences Institute in order to be eligible to win. This is because the winner will be announced after live presentations by the finalists competing for the Best Teaching Case Studies Award. For co-authored cases, a minimum of one author must register for the meeting.

    Submission Requirements:

    Submissions must constitute a complete teaching package including the following documents and materials:

    1. A submission title page listing all author(s) names, affiliations, and contact information. This is the only place in the submission files where the authors’ names should appear.
    2. Case document
    3. Teaching note
    4. Supplementary files [optional]

    Judging Criteria:

    A panel of case experts will judge the submissions and will identify three finalists on the basis of the following criteria:

    • Worthy Focus. Does the case address an important and timely business or managerial issue?
    • Learning Challenge. Does the case engage the student in an appropriate and intellectually challenging way?
    • Does the case present the facts, data, and decision(s) to be made in a clear and concise way, consistent with its focus and objectives?
    • Professional Appearance. Does the case and teaching note present a well written and complete teaching package?
    • Potential for Use. Is the case and teaching note likely to receive widespread and effective use?
    • Comprehensive Analysis. Does the case encompass the right combination of qualitative and/or quantitative issues as appropriate for the case?
    • Course/Concepts Linkages. Are the theoretical linkages in the case appropriate to the course and the topic?
    • Well-defined Pedagogical Note. Does the teaching note provide adequate guidance regarding how to teach the case, position the case in the course, and outline key learning points?

    The three finalists will present their cases at the 2023 DSI Annual meeting. The judges will select a winner based on a combination of the written material and the presentation.

    Submission Procedure:

    All submission files (author information, case, teaching notes, supplementary files, etc.) should be submitted via the conference submission system at this URL

    2023 CMS link

    All submissions must be received by June 15, 2023, to be eligible for the competition.

    The finalists will be notified in September 2023. As previously noted, the winners will be determined immediately after their live competition presentations at the annual conference.  Finalists must present at the conference.

    Case authors whose cases are not selected as finalists may be invited to present their cases in a general session at the DSI Annual Conference.

    Coordinators : Yao Zhao, yaozhao@business.rutgers.edu

    Coordinators: Kathleen Iacocca, kathleen.iacocca@villanova.edu

  • Elwood S. Buffa Doctoral Dissertation Award

    This competition identifies and recognizes outstanding doctoral dissertation research, completed in the calendar year 2022, in the development of theory for the decision sciences, the development of methodology for the decision sciences, and/or the application of theory or methodology in the decision sciences.

    Eligibility:

    To be eligible for consideration, a submission must meet the following criteria:

    1. The doctoral dissertation has to have been accepted by the degree-granting institution within the 2022 calendar year (i.e., between January 1, 2022, and December 31, 2022). That is, the student must have met the requirements of graduation with a PhD or DBA in the time period specified.
    2. Finalists must register for and attend the 2023 Annual Conference of the Decision Sciences Institute in order to be eligible to win. This is because the winner will be announced after live presentations by the finalists competing for the Elwood S. Buffa Doctoral Dissertation Award.

    Submission Requirements:

    Applications will not be considered complete until (a) a nominating letter from the advisor, (b) an executive summary, and (c) the dissertation combined into a single PDF and submitted as an Award Competition Entry to the Elwood S. Buffa Doctoral Dissertation Award at .. Details of submission requirements are provided below:

    1. Nominating Letter from the Advisor

    A nominating letter is required from the dissertation advisor. This nominating letter:

    • Introduces the doctoral student, the dissertation advisor supervising the dissertation, and the degree-granting institution;
    • Argues for the worthiness of the doctoral dissertation; and
    • Provides contact information for both the doctoral student and the dissertation advisor.

    Please name the Nominating Letter attachment as (the student’s) LAST NAME_FIRST NAME-Nominating Letter.

    1. Executive Summary of the Doctoral Dissertation Submission

    Content

    An executive summary is required with the following suggested sections:

    • Describes and justifies the importance of the theoretical / pragmatic problem that the doctoral dissertation addresses,
    • Delineates the research questions that stem from the theoretical / pragmatic problem,
    • Explains the methods being used in sufficient detail for referees with no a priori exposure to the doctoral dissertation to evaluate methodological rigor,
    • Discusses the major findings in terms of its contributions to science and / or to practice, and
    • Highlights future research opportunities stemming from this doctoral dissertation, and the limitations of the work. In preparing the Executive Summary, please feel free to refer the reader to specific tables, figures, sections, etc., of the actual doctoral dissertation by including the following pointer: [Please see _____, page ___ of the doctoral dissertation].

    Format

    The Executive Summary must adhere to the following formatting guidelines:

    • Does not exceed a maximum of 10 double-spaced, 8.5×11, pages with 1-inch margins.
    • Includes a header with two pieces of information: (i) the most relevant discipline within which the doctoral dissertation falls and (ii) the dominant method(s) used in the conduct of the doctoral dissertation research.
    • Have a readable font size (10 to 12).
    1. Dissertation

    Submission Procedure:

    The Nominating Letter, the Executive Summary, and the dissertation should be combined into a single PDF and submitted to the Elwood S. Buffa Award Competition in the 2023 DSI Annual Conference Submission Website…

    2023 CMS link

    All submissions must be received by June 15, 2023, to be eligible for the competition.

    The finalists will be announced by September, 2023. As previously noted, the winners will be determined immediately after the presentations during the 2023 DSI Annual Meeting (November 18-20, 2023) and must be present at the Awards presentation to receive the award.

    Questions?

    Questions about the Elwood S. Buffa Doctoral Dissertation Award for the 2023 Annual Conference of the Decision Sciences Institute can be directed to the Coordinator.

    Coordinator: Mark Ferguson, mark.ferguson@moore.sc.edu

  • Instructional Innovation Award

    This competition identifies and recognizes outstanding pedagogical innovations in the classroom. New, innovative, and effective ways to illustrate key concepts are often what make for a memorable and enhanced learning experience.

    Eligibility:

    To be eligible for consideration, a submission must meet the following criteria:

    1. The submission must outline a teaching innovation that has been used successfully in a class to highlight or clarify a key course concept. The submission should describe the teaching methodology in a way that interested readers will have sufficient information to replicate the pedagogy in their own classes.
    2. The submission must not have been under review in a peer-reviewed journal at the time of submission.
    3. Finalists must register for and attend the 2023 Annual Conference of the Decision Sciences Institute in order to be eligible to win. Finalists will compete via live presentations during the conference. The winner will be announced at the award ceremony on Monday.

    Submission Procedure:

    All submissions must be received by June 15, 2023, to be eligible for the competition.

    Submit Here

    The finalists will be announced by September 2023. As previously noted, the winners will be determined immediately after their live competition 18-20, 2023).

    Questions about the Instructional Innovation Award for the 2023 Annual Conference of the Decision Sciences Institute can be directed to the Coordinator.

    Coordinator:  Kaushik Sengupta, Kaushik.Sengupta@hofstra.edu

  • Doctoral Research Showcase Award

    Doctoral students are the future scholars of our field, and this track is meant to highlight these future scholars by showcasing their doctoral research.

    This track is exclusively for doctoral student papers that are in advanced stages of conceptualization, with the objective of the showcase then to receive mentoring and feedback on these papers. This is accomplished by matching each presented paper with appropriate discussants to ensure high-quality feedback, in addition to receiving traditional audience feedback from attendees of the session. Each session will include three papers, providing ample time for discussion. We expect to accept not more than 20 papers for this track, with preference being given to candidates that are on the job-market. Papers not accepted will be forwarded to the most appropriate general conference track.

    Submissions of high-quality doctoral student papers from all fields and topics are encouraged. Only full-papers will be considered for presentation in the showcase. The DSI 2023 program team is also pleased to award a $300 prize for the best paper submitted to the showcase.

    Submit abstract via the All Academic system before the deadline of June 15.

    We further invite academics and practitioners who would like to volunteer to review and become discussants for the doctoral student papers.

    Coordinator:  James Abbey, jamesdabbey@tamu.edu

  • Emerging Economies Research Award

    Increasing attention and focus on emerging economies’ issues and opportunities motivates the need to publish more research focused on emerging meconomies’ issues in mainstream journals. At the 2023 Decision Sciences Institute Conference, we are excited to feature a track on Emerging Economies which will comprise showcase and regular sessions.

     

    The DSI 2023 program team is pleased to award a $300 prize to the best paper submitted to this track!

    Emerging Economies Research Showcase

    These sessions are intended to provide mentorship and constructive feedback to researchers from emerging markets for development purposes. This track distinguishes itself from other regular tracks in several important ways.

    First, it is exclusively for researchers from emerging economies. Emerging economies generally include countries in sub-Saharan Africa, Middle East & North Africa, Latin America & the Caribbean and Asia (excluding Japan, China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Korea and Taiwan). Submitted manuscripts could be work-in-progress papers or at advanced stages of conceptualization or development. Second, each presenting paper will be matched with appropriate mentors or discussants by the track co-chairs to provide high-quality feedback, in addition to traditional audience feedback that the conference presentation provides. We will only have two to three papers per session with a view to provide the audience and researchers time to discuss papers. Third, we expect to accept roughly twenty papers into this special showcase. Preference will be given to research papers that focus on emerging economies’ issues and are at relatively advanced stages of development. Fourth, all presentations will be in a round table discussion format to foster interactive discussions and maximize the benefit for the presenting researcher. All other papers submitted to the showcase will be routed to the emerging economies regular track.

    We invite submissions from researchers whose primary affiliation is universities in emerging economies. In order to qualify for matching with mentors, you must be the primary author of the study. Submissions should be between 8-15 pages long and in general should comprise the overall motivation of the study, the research questions, potential contributions, methodology and results (if available). Abstracts-only submissions will not be accepted for the award. Abstracts will be routed to the emerging economies regular track.

    We also invite academics and practitioners who would like to volunteer to review and to become discussants for the emerging economies research papers. The submission deadline is June 15, 2023.

    Coordinator:  Shashank Rao, rzs0025@auburn.edu