Hanks and Kim named among Research.com’s Best Scientists in Business and Management

Two Dedman College of Hospitality faculty members have been recognized among Research.com’s 2026 Best Scientists in Business and Management.

Dr. Lydia Hanks, professor, and Dr. Woody Kim, Dedman Professor of Hospitality Management and director of the International Center for Hospitality Research & Development, were included in the fifth edition of the international ranking.

Research.com evaluated scholars using bibliometric data from sources including OpenAlex and CrossRef. The ranking identified 3,016 scientists in the Business and Management field who met its criteria, which consider discipline-specific publications, citations and the overall reach of a scholar’s research.

Dr. Hanks' research focuses on services marketing, consumer behavior and the social servicescape. Her work examines topics including digital marketing and social media, customer service quality and loyalty, the sharing economy, and hospitality and tourism management. Hanks has appeared in Tourism Management, the Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Research, and the International Journal of Hospitality Management.

Dr. Kim’s research spans hospitality management, sustainability and revenue management, as well as organizational behavior, consumer engagement, digital media, and environmental performance. His work has been published in leading journals including Tourism Management, the International Journal of Hospitality Management, and the International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management.

Hanks and Kim's work advances understanding of the challenges and opportunities shaping hospitality and tourism. This recognition highlights the reach of Dedman’s research and the leadership of its faculty within the field.