Distribution Knowledge, Research, and Journal

Stimulated by the recent editorial review of JDS, the purpose of this exploratory study was to provide foundations for creation and accumulation of further knowledge and theories in the area of distribution and distribution science. The examination of JDS based on five key factors of journal selection process by Thompson indicated that JDS is either meeting or at least in the progress of meeting the following factors: timeliness of publication, international editorial convention, international diversity, and citation analysis. However, the research topics of JDS were not new, emerging, and/or distinctive and were not directly associated with specific region or country. As such, a careful evaluation and analysis of the terms and concepts related to the term Distribution was required and yielded simpler yet distinguishable definitions: Distribution as "The process or movement of goods, services, and payment from one distribution point to one or more distribution point or the final point of distribution"and Distribution Science as "the process of examining and solving distribution issues and problems through the application of the scientific method". Hence, extensive examination and exploration of traditional markets in Asian countries would prove to be the most appropriate contemporary research topic in the distribution field mainly because these traditional markets usually do not exist in the Western countries. Furthermore, this unique research topic could attract many regional scholars to participate in knowledge creation and build theories in the field of distribution without competing with major journals that are closely related to the field of distribution.