Abstract Social media is a central part of everyday life for many teenagers. At the same time, current survey data shows that teenagers associate social media with negative rather than positive effects across several areas of life. The self-reported negative effects are particularly pronounced regarding sleep, productivity, and academic performance. Mental health is also perceived …
Research Highlights for ISPC 2026: Insights from Our International Speakers Ahead of the 6th annual International Scientific-Practical Conference (ISPC 2026) taking place on September 10 and 11, 2026, at FHNW in Brugg-Windisch, international researchers share insights into their latest scientific findings. The E-Commerce Institute Cologne warmly thanks all contributors for their valuable feedback and presents …
Abstract The 6th annual International Scientific-Practical Conference (ISPC 2026) will take place on September 10 and 11, 2026, at FHNW in Brugg-Windisch, Switzerland. The conference theme is “Digital and AI Management – Scientific Research and Practical Implementation”. ISPC is designed as a hybrid conference: participants can attend and present both on-site in Brugg and online …
Abstract September 11, 2026 marks the scientifically oriented second conference day of the 6th annual International Scientific-Practical Conference (ISPC 2026). The current ISPC management system lists 95 presentations in ten parallel hybrid tracks for Friday. The topics range from AI Strategy, Governance and Responsible AI to Digital Higher Education, Digital Marketing, E-Commerce and Knowledge Transfer, …
Abstract In a few weeks, the new academic book “Digitalization in Germany – Best Practices, Challenges, and Impulses for Companies” will be published by Springer Gabler. Edited by Prof. Dr. Richard C. Geibel (Head of the E-Commerce Institute Cologne), Dr. Ulrich Arnold, and Martin Hoelscher, this edited volume provides a well-founded analysis of the current …
Abstract The 6th annual International Scientific-Practical Conference (ISPC 2026) will take place on September 10 and 11, 2026, centered around the theme “Digital and AI Management – Scientific Research and Practical Implementation”. Two keynotes in the Scientific Track are scheduled for the first day of the conference on Thursday, September 10, 2026. In the morning, …
Social commerce is transforming how consumers discover and purchase products, particularly within the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector. TikTok Shop combines entertainment, community engagement, and seamless purchasing into a single platform, creating new opportunities for brands to drive both awareness and sales. Using Barebells as a practical case study, this article examines how a TikTok …
Social commerce is rapidly emerging as a key growth driver in digital retail. Platforms such as TikTok are reshaping the traditional customer journey by integrating product discovery, engagement, and purchasing into a single seamless experience. Using the example of a potential H&M TikTok Shop, this article explores the critical success factors for social commerce, the …
Abstract The progressive establishment of generative Artificial Intelligence such as ChatGPT, Claude, and Perplexity is fundamentally transforming consumer search behavior. Instead of traditional Search Engine Result Pages (SERPs), directly formulated answers from Large Language Models (LLMs) are increasingly taking center stage. This paradigm shift requires a strategic expansion of traditional Search Engine Optimization (SEO) to …
Abstract The increasing density of national and European regulatory frameworks presents modern enterprises with substantial challenges in securing corporate compliance. In parallel with established systems such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Supply Chain Due Diligence Act (LkSG), the disruptive integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into core operational processes necessitates a comprehensive …
Abstract The alignment of European regulatory requirements with national legislative frameworks necessitates precise legal transitional arrangements to avert market disruptions and resource losses within the retail sector. This expert analysis, compiled by the E-Commerce Institut Köln, examines the regulatory transformation of the European EmpCo Directive into the German Act Against Unfair Competition (UWG). The focus …
The IU Internationale Hochschule research office has published its Newsletter #28 for May and June 2026 – and it impressively demonstrates the breadth and societal relevance of research at IU. New third-party-funded projects in Artificial Intelligence, health and social innovation, a new AI Research Institute, successful symposia and the upcoming ISPC 2026 in Switzerland: the …
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 …