A graduate of the Jerry S. Rawls College of Business was named the winner of a prestigious international dissertation award at the Academy of Marketing Science Annual Conference in Vancouver, Canada, last week.
Kiran Pedada, who earned his doctorate in business administration from Rawls College in May 2018 with a concentration in marketing, was previously one of three finalists for the AMS Mary Kay Doctoral Dissertation Award, as announced in March. Pedada, now an assistant professor of marketing at the Indian School of Business in Hyderabad, India, was named as the final winner of the award at the organization's annual conference in late May, where Pedada presented his dissertation research.
"I am deeply humbled and honored that my dissertation has been chosen as the winner for the 2019 AMS Mary Kay Best Dissertation Award," Pedada said. "This award means a lot to me, and I am even more motivated to continue my research program focusing on international marketing alliances and business-to-business relationships in emerging markets."
Sponsored by the Academy of Marketing Science and Mary Kay, Inc., the award recognizes doctoral candidates in marketing based on the quality of their dissertation research and their final presentations at the AMS Annual Conference. Doctoral students from programs of any recognized institution of higher education worldwide were eligible for the award.
"We were so impressed by the dissertation presentations at this year's AMS Annual Conference," said Beth Lopez, vice president of Global Sales Education for Mary Kay.
The announcement about Pedada's award was made at the conference awards banquet lunch on May 30.
"The Mary Kay Dissertation Competition is an important part of the Academy of Marketing Science Annual Conference," said O.C. Ferrell, President of The Academy of Marketing Science. "Mary Kay's involvement provides an opportunity for finalists to network with Mary Kay executives. Improving industry connections for doctoral students is a major objective of the competition."
Pedada's winning dissertation, "Two Studies on the Determinants and Effects of International Marketing Joint Venture Dissolutions in an Emerging Market," explored the antecedents and consequences of international marketing alliances formed between developed and emerging market firms.
Associate Dean Mayukh Dass, Pedada's dissertation chair, congratulated Pedada for his achievement.
"The dissertation is one of the most important research projects a doctoral student completes," Dass said. "Kiran winning one of the most internationally recognized awards for his dissertation shows the quality of our doctoral program at Rawls College."
Pedada credits his success to many people in his life and the academic guidance he received at Rawls College.
"I am indebted to Professor Mayukh Dass for his outstanding guidance and continued
support during and after the Ph.D. program," he said. "The doctoral training I received
at Texas Tech has helped me conduct rigorous research in my dissertation area, and
I am also fortunate to have an outstanding dissertation committee."
Pedada expressed gratitude to his wife and daughter too for their continual support
and patience during his doctorate studies.
About The Academy of Marketing Science
The Academy of Marketing Science is a non-profit, international, scholarly, professional organization. It is dedicated to promoting high standards and excellence in the creation and dissemination of marketing knowledge and the furtherance of marketing practice through a role of leadership within the discipline of marketing around the world. The Academy is committed to the highest ethical standards and collegiality in the pursuit of this mission.
About Mary Kay Inc.
Mary Kay Inc. is a multibillion-dollar company that offers the latest in cutting-edge skin care, cosmetics and fragrances.