The Grönroos Service Research Award is presented in recognition of excellent achievements in service research to scholars who challenge common beliefsand demonstrate significant originality in their work. Innovative new approaches are emphasised above all when selecting the receiver.

The receiver of the 2012 Grönroos Award is Raymond P. Fisk , Professor and Chair of the Department of Marketing at Texas State University-San Marcos, the United States.

- Ray does research in the spirit of the Nordic School, challenging current ways of thinking and opening new intellectual pathways. What makes Ray an excellent recipient of the award is his broad and inventive contribution to service research through the application of drama and improvisation from a theater setting, lessons from jazz and music, the use of metaphors in service marketing as well as his explorations into customers behaving badly, veterinary services and service innovation , says Maria Holmlund-Rytkönen, Head of the Department of Marketing at Hanken School of Economics.

We are proud to bestow this honour to a service marketing role model and an international pioneer in the fields of services marketing and management, says Kristina Heinonen, Director of the Centre for Relationship Marketing and Service Management (CERS) at Hanken School of Economics .

The Grönroos-award was instituted in 2010CERS, in honour of Professor Christian Grönroos. The receiver of the award is to represent the Nordic school of Marketing, thus relating to the research approach originated by Professor Grönroos. The receiver of the award is selected by the Director of CERS and the professors at the department of Marketing at Hanken. The first receiver of the award was Professor Evert Gummesson, Stockholm University.