Recognizes the outstanding article, in a widely recognized and highly respected refereed journal, which has made a significant contribution to the literature on marketing and channels distribution.

Eligibility
An article will be eligible for award consideration each year between three and eight calendar years after publication in a refereed journal in any applied or basic discipline. Once the eight-year eligibility time has passed, an article will no longer be eligible for consideration
Process
A panel of three judges select the winner. Each judge is to be either a member of the AMA Interorganizational Special Interest Group (IOSIG) or a recognized expert in the field. These three judges are selected by the Chair of the IOSIG. Evaluation criteria used by the judges in reviewing articles for the Louis W. Stern Award include:
- Quality of the article’s contribution to theory and practice.
- Originality of the article.
- Technical competence in the execution of the research.
- Impact on the field of channels of distribution.
The following timeline is strongly suggested to meet the needs of the AMA Foundation:
- Committee is set in January the year the award will be determined;
- Nominations for eligible articles are taken through February;
- Committee deliberates in March and makes selection;
- Selection announced in April;
- Award given in August at the Summer AMA luncheon.
History
Established in 1999, this award will honor the best article in an AMA journal in the area of marketing channels and distribution. The award is intended to encourage the academic community to continue to produce high quality academic research in the field of marketing channels and distribution.
Recognition and Benefits
This award will be presented at the upcoming Summer AMA Academic Conference.
AMA Foundation
As the philanthropic arm of the AMA, the AMA Foundation champions individual marketers who are making an impact in our profession and community. We recognize marketing visionaries who have elevated the field, and we support the next generation of marketers who will transform the profession.
Previous Recipients
2020 Jill Avery, Thomas Steenburgh, John Deighton, and Mary Caravella, “Adding Bricks to Clicks: Predicting the Patterns of Cross-Channel Elasticities over Time” Journal of Marketing, 2012 | |
2019 Robert W. Palmatier, Mark B. Houston, Dhruv Grewal, Rajiv P. Dant, “Relationship Velocity: Toward a Theory of Relationship Dynamics,” Journal of Marketing, (Volume;77, Issue: 1, January 2013) | 2009 Joseph P. Cannon and Christian Homburg ”Buyer-Supplier Relationships and Customer Firm Costs,” Journal of Marketing, October 2001 |
2018 Shankar Ganesan, Steven P. Brown, Babu John Mariadoss, Hillbun (Dixon) Ho, “Buffering and Amplifying Effects of Relationship Commitment in Business-to-Business Relationships. Journal of Marketing Research, April 2010 | 2008 Kenneth Wathne and Jan B. Heide “Opportunism in Interfirm Relationships: Forms, Outcomes, and Solutions,” Journal of Marketing, October 2000 |
2017 Robert W. Palmatier, Cheryl Burke Jarvis, Jennifer R. Bechkoff, Frank R. Kardes. “The Role of Customer Gratitude in Relationship Marketing” Journal of Marketing, September 2009 | 2007 Sandy K. Jap and Shankar Ganesan ”Control Mechanisms and the Relationship Life Cycle: Implications for Safeguarding Specific Investments and Developing Commitment,” Journal of Marketing, May 2000 |
2016 Richard G. McFarland, James M. Bloodgood, and Janice M. Payan, “Supply Chain Contagion” Journal of Marketing, March 2008 | 2006 Joseph Cannon and William D. Perreault, Jr. “Buyer-Seller Relationships in Business Markets,” Journal of Marketing Research, November 1999 |
2015 Rajiv P. Dant, Dhruv Grewal, and Robert W. Palmatier, A Comparative Longitudinal Analysis of Theoretical Perspectives of Interorganizational Relationship Performance” Journal of Marketing, October 2007 | 2005 Joseph Alba, John Lynch, Barton Weitz, Chris Janiszewski, Richard Lutz, Alan Sawyer, and Stacy Wood. “Interactive Home Shopping: Consumer, Retailer, and Manufacturer Incentives to Participate in Electronic Marketplaces” Journal of Marketing, July 1997 |
2014 Robert W. Palmatier, Lisa K. Scheer, and Jan-Benedict E.M. Steenkamp, “Customer Loyalty to Whom? Managing the Benefits and Risks of Salesperson-Owned Loyalty” Journal of Marketing Research, May 2007 | 2004 Aric Rindfleisch and Jan B. Heide ”Transaction Cost Analysis: Past, Present, and Future Applications,” Journal of Marketing, October 1997 |
2013 George John and Mrinal Ghosh, “Strategic Fit in Industrial Alliances: An Empirical Test of Governance Value Analysis” Journal of Marketing Research, August 2005 | 2003 Jakki Mohr, Robert Fisher, and John Nevin ”Collaborative Communication in Interfirm Relationships: Moderating Effects of Integration and Control” Journal of Marketing, July 1996 |
2012 Jean L. Johnson, Ravipreet S. Sohi, Rajdeep Grewal ”The Role of Relational Knowledge Stores in Interfirm Partnering” Journal of Marketing, June 2004 | 2002 James R. Brown and Robert F. Lusch ”Interdependency, Contracting and Relational Behavior in Marketing Channels” Journal of Marketing, October 1996 |
2011 Robert W. Palmatier, Rajiv P. Dant, Dhruv Grewal, and Kenneth R. Evans ”Factors Influencing the Effectiveness of Relationship Marketing: A Meta-Analysis” Journal of Marketing, June 2006 | 2001 Jan B. Heide “Interorganizational Governance in Marketing Channels” Journal of Marketing, 1994 |
2010 Inge Geyskens, Katrijn Gielens, Marnik G. Dekimpe, ”The Market Valuation of Internet Channel Additions,” Journal of Marketing, April 2002 | 2000 Erin Anderson and Bart Wetz “The Use of Pledges to Build and Sustain Commitment in Distribution Channels” Journal of Marketing, 1992. “The Role of Customer Gratitude in Relationship Marketing” Journal of Marketing, September 2009 |