Social media and e-commerce are converging – and transforming the way millions of people shop. What lies behind the concept of social commerce, which platforms are driving the development, how does the scientific FISC model developed by Prof. Dr. Richard C. Geibel work – and where are the limits of the trend? The E-Commerce Institute …
The AI hype of recent years has triggered a costly wake-up call: companies such as Uber burned through their entire annual AI budget in less than four months. Newer, more powerful models are simultaneously far more expensive – and are being deployed for ever more complex tasks. The era of “tokenmaxxing” is over. Under the …
The 6th International Scientific-Practical Conference (ISPC 2026) demonstrates remarkable growth, highlighting the increasing global relevance of research on artificial intelligence, digital transformation, and e-commerce. With more than 100 submissions, 174 contributing authors from 48 universities and institutions, and representation from 20 countries across five continents, the conference has evolved into an important platform for international …
From 1 July 2026, the European Union levies a flat fee of €3 per tariff classification on all e-commerce packages from third countries – and simultaneously abolishes the previous customs exemption threshold of €150. The measure hits Asian platforms such as Temu, Shein and AliExpress particularly hard, as their business model relies on direct-shipping from …
Abstract Major digital events in online retail, such as the annual Amazon Prime Day, induce a significant intensification of fraudulent cyber activities. This specialist article examines the structural mechanics of fake shops and lookalike domains within digital commerce. In addition to the empirical quantification of the threat potential, concrete preventive action recommendations are developed for …
Abstract The scientific and practice-oriented discourse in digital commerce reaches a new milestone. Within the framework of the E-Commerce Best Practice Day 2026 at the University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland (FHNW), pioneering developments in modern online retail will be analyzed. Taking into account the expertise of Prof. Dr. Richard Geibel (E-Commerce Institut Köln / …
Abstract Digital commerce is undergoing continuous structural change. Social commerce and live shopping represent the convergence of social media and e-commerce infrastructures. In an expert interview on the radio program SR Kultur, Prof. Dr. Richard Geibel (Director of the E-Commerce Institute Cologne, which he founded, and professor at the International University, Cologne) analyzes the driving …
Abstract On May 22, 2026, the Cologne Campus in the Gerling Quartier transformed into a dynamic forum for young academics. With the premiere of the “IU Students Symposium – Spotlight on our Students” and its close integration with the parallel 3. IU Health Symposium, a high-profile platform was established. This dual event fostered a targeted …
Abstract Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) aims to position web content as reliable sources for AI systems. As AI assistants increasingly provide direct answers, visibility as a cited source becomes a competitive advantage. AEO combines content expertise with technical structure so that algorithms can extract information precisely. What is Answer Engine Optimization (AEO)? AEO is the …
Abstract Ecosia, headquartered in Berlin, is a search engine that combines ecological responsibility with high usability. The company uses 100% of its profits for global climate and environmental protection projects. By using smaller, faster AI models, Ecosia minimizes its digital footprint while offering an intuitive and pleasant user experience. Company Profile and Climate Protection Ecosia …
A report from the IU Internationale Hochschule faculty meeting in Cologne — including a visit to STARTPLATZ Mediapark, drinks at the Osman 30 rooftop bar and dinner at the traditional Brauhaus Päffgen. What Is the IU Faculty Meeting? Once a year, lecturers from IU Internationale Hochschule gather from across Germany. Most of them teach remotely …
Abstract The new DHL E-Commerce Trends Report 2026 provides a profound analysis of the digital shift within modern online retail. The study reveals a significant discrepancy between consumer expectations and the current service offerings of many merchants. The central focus of the investigation lies in the strategic integration of artificial intelligence, highly flexible logistics solutions, …
Abstract The family business Kremer was founded in 1905 by Franz Kremer and is now in its fourth generation. With five locations and affiliated garden cafes, the company is seeking new sales channels. Since there is currently no e-commerce shop, this work analyzes the use of social commerce via the Whatnot platform. The goal is …
Conference Profile ISPC 2026: The 6th annual international scientific-practical conference “Digital and AI Management – Scientific Research and Practical Implementation” provides a scientific forum for digitalization in business, management, education, and research. The event takes place in a hybrid format and is supported by a consortium of FHNW, IU, Adelphi University, East European University, and …
Abstract: The University of Harvard is responding to the progressive grade inflation at elite universities by introducing a mandatory quota for awarding top grades. Since approximately 60 percent of all grades issued in the institution’s undergraduate program currently correspond to the highest mark “A”, this measure is designed to counteract the devaluation of academic degrees. …
Abstract: The upcoming ISPC 2026 conference (6th annual International Scientific-Practical Conference) addresses the scientific research and practical implementation of digital and AI management. This international event provides an academic forum for presenting and analyzing relevant digitalization processes within business, management, education, and research. The scientific coordination and organization are managed by an international committee representing …
Summary: This article analyzes the unsolvable trilemma in the healthcare system resulting from demographics, costs, and staff shortages, as well as the methodological research design for developing an integrated system framework. The Trilemma in the Healthcare System and the Digital Solution The German healthcare sector is facing profound systemic friction that is pushing the current …
EVENT RECAP By Prof. Dr. Richard Geibel & E-Commerce Institut Cologne·IU Campus Cologne, Gerling-Quartier·May 22, 2026 “Spotlight on our Students — and we mean it. Student research belongs on a real stage, not in a drawer.” – Prof. Dr. Richard Geibel, Chairman IU Students Symposium & Professor of Business Administration, IU International University of Applied …
Abstract: This international Social Commerce case study examines the structural and economic framework conditions of digital concepts within the non-profit sector. Using the project Find2God as an empirical example, it analyzes how non-profit organizations (NPOs) can establish independent revenue streams through AI-driven content infrastructures. The findings deliver data-backed insights for digital management at the business …
The healthcare system is facing profound structural changes. At the upcoming hybrid 3rd IU Healthcare Symposium in Cologne, experts will discuss forward-looking concepts, digital transformations, and scientific findings within the modern nursing and healthcare landscape, both on-site and in the digital space. The Cologne metropolitan region is increasingly establishing itself as a central hub for …