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 …
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 …
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. AI-powered attacks, synthetic identities and so-called friendly fraud are fundamentally reshaping the threat landscape for German and global online retail. By 2030, Juniper Research projects annual fraud losses of €131 billion. At the same time, new Nacha regulations came into force in the United States in March 2026. The E-Commerce Institute Cologne provides an …
Abstract. The FMCG market in the DACH region is undergoing a fundamental shift: sustainability has evolved from a nice-to-have into a key purchasing decision factor. Using Elvital (Garnier/L’Oréal) and Blend-a-med (P&G) as examples, the E-Commerce Institute Cologne examines how established mass-market brands are responding to pressure from consumers, EU regulation and growing online competition – …
Abstract: Prof. Dr. Richard C. Geibel and Ulrich Arnold have published a new contribution with the renowned Springer publishing house: “Die innovative Customer Journey im Social Commerce” (The Innovative Customer Journey in Social Commerce). The article develops the concept of the “Customer Moment” – the condensed, impulse-driven purchase decision process that replaces classical multi-stage customer …
Abstract Despite the Iran war, rising energy prices, and growing future anxieties, German online trade showed stable growth of 3.6 percent to around 20.4 billion euros in the first quarter of 2026. This is according to the bevh consumer survey. While groceries, drugstores, and online pharmacies grew particularly strongly, the bevh warns of a VAT …
Abstract Those who use AI coding tools knowledge work today only scratch the surface of the actual automation potential. Agentic AI coding tools like Claude Code work directly with files on your own computer – making them highly relevant for non-developers as well. They enable repeatable workflows, team-wide sharing of best practices, and true automation …
Abstract Prof. Dr. Richard C. Geibel, Director of the E-Commerce Institute Cologne, has contributed two groundbreaking chapters to the new Springer anthology “Digital Empowerment in Healthcare.” Published in 2026, this interdisciplinary work explores how digital technologies and Artificial Intelligence can promote a fairer and more sustainable healthcare system. Prof. Dr. Geibel’s contributions focus on the …
Abstract: On 10 and 11 September 2026, the 6th ISPC – International Scientific-Practical Conference – will take place at FHNW in Brugg, Switzerland. Under the theme “Digital and AI Management – Scientific Research and Practical Implementation”, the conference brings together researchers, practitioners and emerging scholars from around the world. Submissions are accepted until 1 June …
Abtract: Germany is Europe’s returns capital: more than 530 million parcels are sent back every year, and in fashion retail the return rate reaches as high as 50 per cent. The environmental and economic costs are enormous. Yet a new approach rooted in behavioural economics shows that carefully designed psychological prompts – known as Green …
Abstract Current developments surrounding TikTok Shop Germany 2026 show a massive transformation in retail. One year after the launch of TikTok Shop in Germany, latest data reveals: around 15 percent of all German online shoppers have already used the platform, and the revenue share of those over 46 even exceeds that of Gen Z at …
Abstract: Joybuy Market Entry Germany 2026 – Same-Day Delivery as the New Standard With the launch of Joybuy – the European e-commerce platform of Chinese technology giant JD.com – a new player will enter the German online retail market on March 16, 2026. The highlight: Joybuy promises same-day delivery at no extra cost, positioning itself …
Abstract: Crypto platforms are increasingly becoming key infrastructures in the digital economy. Developments by exchanges such as MEXC illustrate how trading platforms are evolving into integrated ecosystems. For e-commerce, this creates new opportunities in payments, cross-border transactions, and platform-based business models. At the same time, competition between global platforms is intensifying, driven by innovation, scalability, …
Dark patterns have long been part of the toolbox of many online retailers. Countdown timers, artificial scarcity, or gamified discount mechanics are designed to push customers toward faster purchasing decisions. However, recent studies suggest that consumers increasingly recognize these manipulative design strategies. In some cases, such tactics even lead to purchase abandonment. This raises an …
Abstract: Registration for the International Scientific-Practical Conference (ISPC) 2026 is now open. The international conference titled “Digital Management – Scientific Research and Practical Implementation” will take place on September 10–11, 2026 at the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland (FHNW) in Brugg, Switzerland. Researchers, practitioners, and master’s and doctoral students are invited to …