KUBS Faculty News for January to March 2025    Professor  Johngseok Bae (Management)      Professor Jong-Seok Bae collaborated with Professor Chris Rowley of Oxford University and other scholars as an editor for the Routledge Handbook of Korean Business and Management, published by the prestigious British publishing house Routledge in February 2025. The handbook brings together contributions from 36 domestic and international business scholars and consists of 21 chapters, including the introduction and conclusion, providing an in-depth analysis of Korean business management.  The book is structured around key themes: (1) the institutional context of the labor and capital markets; (2) macro-level issues related to Korean corporate management, including corporate governance, professional management, the structure of large business groups, the role of the government, corporate growth, and management strategies; (3) micro-level aspects such as human resource management, labor relations, and executive compensation; (4) emerging topics such as CSR and ESG, entrepreneurship, diversity, the Fourth Industrial Revolution, and employment; and (5) challenges and future directions in business management.    Professor Kwanho Suk (Marketing)      Professor Kwanho Suk was awarded the Best Paper Award by the Korean Academic Society of Business Administration (KASBA) journal Business Administration Research on Wednesday, February 19. Professor Suk co-authored the paper “A Study on the Relationship Between Crowdfunding Goal Amount and Crowdfunding Performance: Focusing on Kakao Together Donation Campaigns” with Professor Sanyoung Hwang (Research Professor at the Institute for Business Research and Education). The study provides an in-depth analysis of the relationship between crowdfunding performance and goal amounts, offering valuable insights into the characteristics of the domestic crowdfunding market and strategies for successful campaigns.    Professor DaeSoo Kim (LSOM)      Professor Daesoo Kim published two new books in February and March 2025. The first book, Purchasing and Supply Management: Digital Transformation, Resilience, and Sustainability (Choa Publishing, February 2025), explores the latest issues in purchasing and supply chain management, focusing on digitalization, supply chain resilience, and sustainable management. The second book, A Journey Through Data Analysis with ChatGPT (Cheongram Publishing, March 2025), introduces practical data analysis methodologies using ChatGPT, covering topics from basic concepts to advanced techniques in data analysis. 

KUBS Holds the ‘2024 KUBS Thesis Advisory Award’ Ceremony      Korea University Business School (KUBS, Dean: Eonsoo Kim) held the ‘2024 KUBS Thesis Advisory Award’ ceremony on Tuesday, March 11, at the Dean’s Office. This event was organized to recognize the contributions of faculty members who have guided master’s and doctoral students in their academic achievements and to further enrich the research environment.    The ‘KUBS Thesis Advisory Award’ is given to faculty members who have made significant contributions to the advancement of education and research at KUBS MS/PhD through outstanding thesis supervision. The award aims to commend faculty members for their dedication and commitment to research guidance. At the ceremony, the award recipients in attendance included Professors Jeunghyun Kim, Kwangtae Park, Shijin Yoo, Gunwoong Lee, and Kyuhan Lee, who celebrated the occasion.    The 2024 awardees were as follows (listed in Korean alphabetical order): △Jaehwan Kim (Marketing), △ Jeunghyun Kim (LSOM), △Jungbien Moon (Global Business/Strategy), △Kwangtae Park (LSOM), △Shijin Yoo (Marketing), △Gunwoong Lee (IS), △Kyuhan Lee (IS), △Jay Hyuk Rhee (Global Business/Strategy), △Wooseok Choi (Accounting).    Dean Eonsoo Kim expressed gratitude, stating, "The research achievements of our students have been made possible through the continuous guidance and support of our faculty members. Moving forward, KUBS will continue to enhance the research environment and provide unwavering support to ensure both faculty and students grow together."    KUBS remains committed to promoting excellence in research supervision and academic achievements by continuously implementing various support initiatives. 

Enhancing Corporate Sustainability and Value… Enrollment Open for the 1st Cohort of the Independent Director Competency Development Program   ▶ About the (Click)  ▶ Apply for the (Click)      Korea University Business School (Dean: Eonsoo Kim) has launched the Independent Director Competency Development Program, designed to strengthen corporate sustainability and enhance corporate value. The program is now accepting applications for its inaugural cohort. It aims to equip board directors with the expertise and strategic insight needed to proactively navigate evolving corporate environments.    Starting in April, the Independent Director Competency Development Program will run for 10 weeks, with classes held every Thursday evening. It is designed for current and prospective board directors, as well as individuals with equivalent qualifications.    The program provides essential knowledge to promote corporate sustainability and long-term value creation. It develops key competencies necessary for board directors to fulfill their responsibilities effectively, integrating the latest business trends and regulatory frameworks into its curriculum.    Participants will explore critical topics essential for board leadership, including corporate law, ESG strategy, risk management, and practical decision-making skills. The program follows a case-driven approach, incorporating real-world scenarios to enhance strategic execution and leadership capabilities.    The program is led by top-tier faculty members and industry experts, combining extensive field experience with cutting-edge academic insights. Participants will benefit from a rigorous, practice-oriented curriculum delivered at world-class facilities, including the Business School Main Building, LG-POSCO Hall, and Hyundai Motor Hall. The program also offers exclusive classrooms and lounges, along with specialized faculty support, ensuring a high-quality learning experience.    Beyond academic learning, participants will have the opportunity to connect with professionals from diverse industries and build meaningful peer relationships. Graduates will not only join the program’s alumni network but also become members of the Korea University Alumni Association, facilitating continued networking with industry-leading professionals.    Applications for the Independent Director Competency Development Program are now open and will close on Friday, March 28. The entrance ceremony is scheduled for Thursday, April 10. For application submission and admission inquiries, please contact the EEC Administration Office at KUBS (02-3290-2707). 

[2025 Spring Semester New Faculty Interview] Professor Kyung Sung Jung – From Engineering to Business, From OM to IS… Striving for Consistent Dedication to Education and Research While Appreciating the Value of Everyday Life    [2025 Spring Semester New Faculty Interview] Professor Kyung Sung Jung   Korea University Business School (KUBS, Dean: Eonsoo Kim) has appointed three new faculty members as of March 2025: Professor Kyung Sung Jung (IS), Professor Minjae Koo (Accounting), and Professor Mengjin Gao. To introduce them to our readers, KU Business JOURNAL conducted interviews to share their aspirations and perspectives.      Q1. Please introduce yourself.  A. Hello, I am Professor Kyung Sung Jung, specializing in Information Systems (IS) at KUBS starting in the Spring 2025 Semester. I have a background in Mechanical Engineering, earning my degree in the field before joining LG Electronics, where I focused on mobile device mechanical design. Initially, I planned to pursue a PhD in Mechanical Engineering, but an opportunity to enroll in the MBA program at the University of Washington (UW) shifted my academic interests toward business studies. This transition led me to pursue a PhD in Business Administration at the University of Texas at Dallas, specializing in Operations Management (OM). Later, at the University of Florida, I expanded my research scope to include Information Systems (IS) alongside OM and began teaching IS courses in addition to OM. Now, as a professor specializing in Information Systems at KUBS, I continue to focus on both research and teaching in this field.    Q2. What are your primary areas of teaching and research?  A. Over the past ten years, I have taught approximately 3,500 undergraduate and graduate students (MS/PhD) at the University of Florida. I initially focused on Operations Management (OM) courses, but upon my department’s recommendation, I began teaching Information Systems (IS) courses and gradually shifted my teaching focus to IS. At KUBS, I currently teach Introduction to MIS. My early research centered on scheduling and optimization in OM. However, after completing my PhD, I expanded my research at the University of Florida to online retailing, with a particular focus on monopoly regulations. More recently, I have been conducting data-driven research on sharing platforms.    Q3. What excites you the most about joining KUBS?  A. I am particularly excited about the strong research support system at KUBS. The school is highly committed to research excellence, providing substantial support to ensure that faculty members can actively pursue their research. I am also delighted about the opportunity to collaborate with outstanding colleagues on various research projects.    Q4. What are your plans for your first semester?  A. There is much to do as I adapt to the university system and prepare for my courses. In particular, since the teaching approach differs from my previous experience, I plan to focus on developing and refining effective methods to deliver my course material clearly and engagingly. Regarding research, my priorities are to finalize the revisions of my current papers, expand upon my existing research to explore new areas, and collaborate with colleagues to conduct more in-depth studies.    Q5. As a new faculty member at KUBS, what are your goals and aspirations?  A. Lately, I have come to deeply appreciate the value of everyday life. My goal is to stay committed to education and research while always cherishing the significance of each day.    Q6. Lastly, do you have any messages for the KUBS community?  A. In Korea, I was an engineering student and a corporate employee, while in the U.S., I was introduced to business studies and began my academic career. As a result, many aspects of my current environment feel new and unfamiliar. However, I sincerely hope to build strong relationships with senior professors, fellow faculty members, and students, growing together as part of the KUBS community. 

[2025 Spring Semester New Faculty Interview] Professor Minjae Koo – What Am I Most Excited About? Engaging with Outstanding Korea University Students and Connecting Through Various Events Like the Ko-Yon Games    [2025 Spring Semester New Faculty Interview] Professor Minjae Koo    Korea University Business School (KUBS, Dean: Eonsoo Kim) has appointed three new faculty members as of March 2025: Professor Kyung Sung Jung (IS), Professor Minjae Koo (Accounting), and Professor Mengjin Gao. To introduce them to our readers, KU Business JOURNAL conducted interviews to share their aspirations and perspectives.      Q1. Please introduce yourself.  A. Hello, I am Minjae Koo, a newly appointed faculty member at KUBS. During my undergraduate years, I majored in German Language and Literature, but out of curiosity, I took an accounting course and quickly became fascinated by the subject, leading me to pursue a dual degree in Business Administration. After completing a master’s degree in accounting, I earned my PhD from the University of Houston. Before joining Korea University, I worked as an assistant professor at The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) for two and a half years.    Q2. What are your primary areas of teaching and research?  A. During my PhD studies, I focused primarily on the quality of corporate disclosures, particularly examining how insurance companies inflate the fair value of financial instruments. While in Hong Kong, I was exposed to a wide range of research topics and recently, I have been focusing on alternative data sources, such as social media and mobile apps. In particular, I am currently analyzing the impact of financial YouTubers on the market.    Q3. What excites you the most about joining KUBS?  A. What excites me the most is the opportunity to engage with outstanding Korea University students. Beyond lectures, I look forward to actively communicating with students through various events, listening to their concerns and interests.    Q4. What are your plans for your first semester?  In my first semester, I will be teaching a Management Accounting course, so I expect to spend a significant amount of time preparing for lectures. Even though I have taught Management Accounting for several years, every new class brings a fresh and exciting experience. Additionally, I plan to continue my research activities, aiming to present my work once or twice a month. Outside of teaching and research, I would also like to attend the Korea-Yonsei Games (Ko-Yon Games).    Q5. As a new faculty member at KUBS, what are your goals and aspirations?  A. With a focus on companies' use of alternative data in the digital environment, I aim to guide students in developing a broad understanding of both traditional accounting concepts and the latest data analysis techniques and industry trends. Furthermore, through both research and education, I hope to grow into a faculty member who integrates academic excellence with practical insights, ultimately providing real value to students.    Q6. Lastly, do you have any messages for the KUBS community?  A. I am truly delighted to be a part of Korea University Business School, and I look forward to learning and growing together. I hope to actively communicate and collaborate with all members, contributing to meaningful research and education at KUBS. 

[2025 Spring Semester New Faculty Interview] Professor Gao Mengjin – A Business School Filled with Outstanding Researchers and Passionate Students… Striving to Grow Together Through Communication with Students    [2025 Spring Semester New Faculty Interview] Professor Gao Mengjin    Korea University Business School (KUBS, Dean: Eonsoo Kim) has appointed three new faculty members as of March 2025: Professor Kyung Sung Jung (IS), Professor Minjae Koo (Accounting), and Professor Mengjin Gao. To introduce them to our readers, KU Business JOURNAL conducted interviews to share their aspirations and perspectives.      Q1. Please introduce yourself.  A. Hello, I am Gao Mengjin. I am truly delighted and excited to be joining Korea University Business School (KUBS). I have studied and lived in China, the United States, and Korea, and I believe that my diverse background and experiences have significantly shaped the direction of my research. As I embark on this new journey at Korea University, I look forward to learning and growing together with many people here.    Q2. What are your primary areas of teaching and research?  A. Initially, I aspired to become an engineer, which led me to major in Industrial Design in China. However, during my master’s program in Engineering in the United States, I was introduced to Business Administration, which sparked my interest in how human behavior and social change impact corporations. This ultimately led me to pursue a PhD in Business Administration. Currently, my research focuses on the digital transformation of large enterprises in emerging economies and its social impact.    Q3. What excites you the most about joining KUBS?  A. I have heard that KUBS is home to outstanding researchers and passionate students. I look forward to exchanging ideas with faculty members and students, generating new research ideas, and growing academically through collaborative research. In particular, I am excited about the opportunity to engage with individuals from diverse backgrounds and perspectives, as I believe this process of learning through communication will be a great source of inspiration for me.    Q4. What are your plans for your first semester?  A. I plan to focus on preparing for my lectures, initiating new research projects, and actively participating in academic seminars and conferences within the university.    Q5. As a new faculty member at KUBS, what are your goals and aspirations?  A. I aim to expand in-depth academic discussions through research. Additionally, I want to be a professor who not only engages in research but also explores with students how business knowledge can be applied in real-life situations. I believe that growing together through communication with students is just as important as making academic contributions.    Q6. Lastly, do you have any messages for the KUBS community?  A. It is truly an honor to be part of Korea University Business School! I look forward to learning and growing together in the years to come. Thank you, and I appreciate your support!