LSUS marketing faculty one of world’s most cited researchers in two separate rankings

LSUS marketing faculty one of world's most cited researchers in two separate rankings

SHREVEPORT - LSU Shreveport marketing faculty member Dr. Minseong Kim ranks among the world's best researchers in two separate metrics.

Kim climbed eight spots to No. 26 in the category Sport, Leisure and Tourism, while elevating to No. 4,256 among researchers of all fields, according to Stanford University's "Top 2% Scientists List" this year.

It's the fifth consecutive year of Kim's inclusion in the single-year rankings, which uses citation database Scopus and the Elsevier Data Repository to measure how many times other researchers cite one's work each year.

In a separate ScholarGPS metric, Kim ranked in the top 0.03% of scholars worldwide across all fields during the most recent five-year evaluation.

Kim scored particularly well in the categories of Well-Being (No. 22), Management Information Systems (No. 55) and Business and Management (No. 131) worldwide.

The ScholarGPS ranking metric is determined by measures of a scholar's productivity (number of publications), impact (number of times work was cited) and quality scores (h-index).

"I am especially grateful for the strong and continued support of LSUS and the College of Business, which have fostered an encouraging environment for research, scholarly collaboration, and professional development," Kim said. "Their commitment to supporting faculty research has played an important role in helping me pursue new research opportunities and expand the international reach of my work.

"Ultimately, these rankings aren't only a personal achievement but also are a reflection of LSUS's commitment to academic excellence and research."

Kim joins fellow LSUS business faculty member Dr. Binshan Lin, who holds lifetime ScholarGPS rankings of No. 1 in industrial management and No. 2 in data systems worldwide over a career that's lasted nearly 40 years.

Kim's work blends marketing, technology, and human psychology to "better understand how they influence people's everyday decisions, experiences, and well-being."

Digital marketing, social media, and artificial intelligence - and their impact on an individual's psychological well-being - have taken center stage in Kim's recent research.

"Much of my recent research examines how social media influencers, AI technologies such as ChatGPT, and digital content shape consumer trust, emotional connections, and behavior," Kim said. "Another important focus of my research is how digital experiences, including social media, online gaming, and fitness technologies, relate to individuals' psychological well-being. I am particularly pleased with my Well-Being ranking as it reflects an important and longstanding dimension of my research."

The interdisciplinary nature of Kim's research allows him to reach broader academic audiences but also has value for businesses and consumers.

"Digital content and marketing can significantly influence how people think, feel, make decisions, and perceive themselves and others," Kim said. "For example, my studies on social media influencers and AI-powered technologies have explored how authenticity, trust, and emotional connections shape consumer behavior.

"Other studies involving social media, online gaming, and fitness technologies have examined how digital experiences relate to self-esteem, motivation, and psychological well-being. These findings highlight that digital technologies can create meaningful benefits but may also influence consumers in ways they do not fully recognize."

For consumers who spend time online or on social media, Kim said everyone should think critically about information they come across.

"I believe that consumers should be particularly mindful that online recommendations, influencer endorsements, and AI-generated content may be designed to create emotional connections and encourage purchasing decisions," Kim said. "Therefore, it is important to evaluate the credibility of digital information, recognize potential commercial motivations, and consider how online content affects one's own perceptions and well-being.

"Ultimately, I believe responsible digital marketing should go beyond engineering clicks, engagement, or sales. It should also create genuine value for consumers and contribute positively to their well-being. As digital technologies and AI continue to evolve, transparency, consumer trust, and ethical communication will become increasingly important."