New submission deadline January 31, 2026
The International Society of Marketing (ISM), in partnership with the Leon Hess Business School (LHBS) of Monmouth University, is pleased to announce the LHBS Societal Impact Award. This award recognizes and honors outstanding research and case studies that demonstrate excellence in societal impact—how mission and strategy guide actions that positively influence society at local, regional, national, or international levels (AACSB Business Accreditation Standards, 2020).
Finalists for the LHBS will be chosen by a committee in late January 2026 and announced via email by mid-February. At least one author must attend and present at the 2026 MBAA/ISM conference in Chicago, IL (March 25-27, 2026); monetary awards will be presented at the ISM Brunch and Business meeting. You must present in person and attend the ISM brunch business meeting in order to receive the award.
Submission Deadline: January 31, 2026
Evaluation Process & Awards:
Submissions received by the deadline will be evaluated through a double-blind review process conducted by the LHBS Societal Impact Award Committee and external reviewers. Three (3) finalists will be selected based on the ratings and comments received from reviewers. Finalists will make a 15 to 20-minute presentation of their work in the LHBS Societal Impact special session at the ISM/MBAA 2026 Spring Conference. Selection of one (1) winner and two (2) runners-up will be determined by a judging panel at the session. Awardees will be recognized at the ISM Spring Conference 2026 brunch meeting.
The winner will receive a plaque and $500 monetary prize from the LHBS. They will also receive a conference registration and 2-night conference hotel stay for the 2027 Spring Conference from the ISM. Each runner-up will receive a plaque and $250 monetary prize from the LHBS, and a conference registration for the 2027 Spring Conference from the ISM.
Submission Criteria:
- Submission is limited to five (5) double-spaced pages, Times New Roman 12pt font (including references, tables and figures). In addition, please:
- Adhere to the reference style used by the Journal of Marketing. Only .doc or .docx accepted.
- Include a title page with the authors’ names, affiliations, addresses, and e-mails. Multi-author submissions should indicate the corresponding author. The preferred method of author contact will be through e-mail.Include the title of the paper on the first page of the manuscript, followed by a 100-word abstract, single-spaced.
- Avoid revealing authors’ identities in the body of the paper or abstract.
- The paper must represent original research or case study on societal impact defined as AACSB 2020 Standards.
- Only faculty or faculty-student-collaborated papers will be considered for the award.
- Authors may choose to publish abstracts or full-paper submissions in the Conference Proceedings.
Please note that submission indicates an intent that at least one author will register for and attend the 2025 ISM Spring Conference if selected as a finalist. All Finalists must attend the presentation session and the brunch meeting.
Submit papers via the MBAA Submission portal (Fourwaves): Choose “Leon Hess Societal Impact Award (ISM)” in the submission drop down menu, “In person,” and “Completed Paper” in the submission system https://event.fourwaves.com/mbaai2026/submission
Please note: Papers submitted for this award should not be entered into other ISM conference tracks.