ISPC 2026: Digital and AI Management – Research and Implementation Overview
Abstract
This academic article provides an overview of the structural framework, participating universities, and core thematic areas of the 6th Annual International Scientific-Practical Conference (ISPC 2026). Dedicated to the main theme “Digital and AI Management – Scientific Research and Practical Implementation”, the hybrid conference combines international scientific analysis with practical business strategies on September 10 and 11, 2026.
- Location: FHNW Campus Brugg-Windisch (Switzerland) as well as global online participation via Zoom.
- Organizers: Jointly organized by FHNW, Adelphi University, IU International University, East European University, and the E-Commerce Institute Cologne.
- Formats: E-Commerce Best Practice Day with 37 case studies and 10 parallel academic tracks featuring 100 lectures.
- Publication: Selected peer-reviewed papers will be published in the Springer Proceedings in Business and Economics (SPBE).
1. Consortium of Hosting Universities
The academic and organizational management of ISPC 2026 is driven by an alliance of five established academic institutions:
| University / Institution | Location | Academic Leadership | Focus Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland (FHNW) | Switzerland | Prof. Dr. Darius Zumstein | E-Commerce & Digital Marketing |
| Adelphi University | USA | Prof. Dr. MaryAnne Hyland | International Management |
| IU International University | Germany | Prof. Dr. Richard C. Geibel | AI Management & Digital Business |
| East European University (EEU) | Georgia | Prof. Dr. Kakhaber Lazarashvili | Educational Quality & Digital Competitiveness |
| E-Commerce Institute Cologne | Germany | Prof. Dr. Richard C. Geibel | Practice Transfer & E-Commerce Research |
2. The 10 Academic Tracks
The main academic conference day (September 11, 2026) is divided into ten parallel thematic sessions:
| Track | Subject Area | Moderation | Room (FHNW / Zoom) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Track 1 | AI Strategy, Governance & Responsible AI | Wolfram Pietsch / Charles R. Baker | Room 6.1D13 F / Breakout 1 |
| Track 2 | AI Applications, Smart Cities & Financial Intelligence | Christian Schachtner / Nino Tavberidze | Room 6.1D09 F / Breakout 2 |
| Track 3 | Digital Consumer Experience, Retail & Marketing | Alina Holle / Christian Pangaribuan | Room 6.1D51 / Breakout 3 |
| Track 4 | E-Commerce, Platforms & Digital Business | Darius Zumstein / Ulrich Arnold | Room 6.1D53 / Breakout 4 |
| Track 5 | AI in Higher Education & Academic Quality | Ia Natsvlishvili / Nurdan Kavaklı Ulutaş | Room 6.2A03 / Breakout 5 |
| Track 6 | Digital Education, Skills & Internationalization | Tatia Gherkenashvili / Tinatin Rodonaia | Room 6.2A06 / Breakout 6 |
| Track 7 | Agentic AI, Decision Intelligence & Digital Procurement | Anouk Hodel / Adele Dörner | Room 6.2A08 / Breakout 7 |
| Track 8 | Digital Innovation, Knowledge Transfer & Recommendation Systems | Manuel Etzkorn / Yvonne Römer | Room 6.2A53 / Breakout 8 |
| Track 9 | Digital Work, Leadership, Ethics & Society | Badri Gechbaia / Giorgi Abashidze | Room 6.2D55 / Breakout 9 |
| Track 10 | Digital Health, Trust & Societal AI | Richard C. Geibel / Annalena Sommer | Room 6.2D57 / Breakout 10 |
3. International Partner Universities
In addition to the main hosting institutions, researchers from several international partner universities contribute their scientific findings:
- Tbilisi State University & Sokhumi State University (Georgia): Research focus on smart city traffic, macroeconomics, and transport infrastructure.
- Sampoerna University (Indonesia): Studies on Gen Z consumer behavior, visual merchandising, and augmented reality in retail.
- University of Koblenz & RheinMain University of Applied Sciences (Germany): Contributions on AI-assisted transfer scouting and process modeling.
- Ibn Tofail University (Morocco) & University of Guadalajara (Mexico): Analyses of digital skills in higher education and blockchain applications in supply chains.
- University of Calabria (Italy): Application of artificial intelligence for predicting financial distress in local governments.
Frequently Asked Questions (10 FAQ Sections)
1. When and where will ISPC 2026 take place?
The conference takes place on September 10 and 11, 2026 at the FHNW Campus in Brugg-Windisch (Switzerland) and online via Zoom simultaneously.
2. Which universities form the core consortium?
The conference is organized by FHNW (Switzerland), Adelphi University (USA), IU International University (Germany), East European University (Georgia), and the E-Commerce Institute Cologne.
3. Is participation in the conference subject to a fee?
No, participation in all lectures and academic tracks is completely free of charge both on-site and online.
4. What does the E-Commerce Best Practice Day on September 10 include?
On the first day, 37 practice-oriented case studies from leading retail companies as well as current research results from FHNW will be presented.
5. How is the main academic day structured on September 11?
The second conference day includes 100 academic presentations delivered and discussed across 10 parallel tracks.
6. In which language will the lectures be held?
The official conference language for all presentations, lectures, and publications is English.
7. Where will accepted research papers be published?
Peer-reviewed papers will be published after the conference in the proceedings volume of the Springer Proceedings in Business and Economics (SPBE) book series.
8. Which awards will be presented during the conference?
Outstanding contributions will be honored with the Best Presentation Certificate, and early-career researchers will receive the Young Scientist Certificate.
9. How can virtual participants access the event online?
Online streaming is conducted via Zoom (Meeting ID: 688 906 3632, Passcode: 2025) with dedicated breakout rooms for each of the 10 tracks.
10. Which accommodations are near the FHNW Campus?
Located in the immediate vicinity of the venue are the Centurion Towerhotel Windisch-Brugg (180 m) and Hotel Terminus Brugg (500 m).