Electronic Markets - The International Journal on Networked Business

We have published a new research paper: "Strategic openness: Category variety, boundary resources, and exclusive content as drivers of complementor participation" by Vladimir Sobota, Mark de Reuver, Amir Pooyan Afghari & Geerten van de Kaa. https://lnkd.in/eXPr4Esk How can platform owners effectively attract complementors to define the value of their ecosystem? In our latest publication, the authors investigate the strategic levers of openness and resource provision within the competitive landscape of video game consoles. Using an open innovation lens, the authors examine how category variety, boundary resources, and exclusive content influence the influx of new participants. The study reveals that, although providing robust boundary resources and exclusive content significantly enhances platform attractiveness, mere category variety does not have the same impact on future participation. These findings offer critical insights for platform orchestration, suggesting that technical support and content differentiation are more potent drivers of ecosystem growth than broad categorical expansion. #InformationSystems #PlatformEcosystems #OpenInnovation #DigitalStrategy #Platform #Ecosystem #ComplementorParticipation #OpenInnovation #BoundaryResources

We have published the Preface to our Special Issue on "Supply chain automation in Electronic Markets": "Supply chain automation: Technology, processes, and human impact" by Giovanni Miragliotta, Nizar Abdelkafi, Andrea S. Patrucco & George Q. Huang. https://lnkd.in/e2q2r39x Operations management is undergoing a pivotal transition as automation shifts from physical execution to complex cognitive tasks. While manufacturing and logistics have long relied on mechanical assistance, a new wave of supply chain automation (SCA) is emerging. This new wave is characterized by the delegation of planning and control functions to integrated digital systems. In this introduction to our special issue, we explore how the orchestration of AI, the Internet of Things (IoT), and cyber-physical networks enables systems to react to environmental fluctuations with minimal human intervention. The authors argue that SCA's true significance lies not in isolated technologies but in system-level integration, which reshapes cross-organizational processes and organizational design. As decision-making authority shifts from managers to autonomous systems, this research emphasizes the importance of examining the relationship between technological coordination and the evolving role of human oversight. Read the preface to learn about the conceptual foundations and future research directions for automated supply chain management. #InformationSystems #SupplyChainManagement #Automation #DigitalTransformation #OperationsManagement #SupplyChainAutomation

We have published new research: "AI content labeling and user engagement on social media: The role of AI level, content type, and disclosure timing" by Freya Seeger, Michael Wessel & Christiane Lehrer. https://lnkd.in/erCPEufm As platforms and regulators move toward mandatory AI disclosures, this new study examines how these labels impact user engagement. Through two online experiments, the researchers investigated how the level of AI involvement, ranging from human-created to fully AI-generated, interacts with content types and the timing of disclosure. The findings suggest that labeling content as AI-involved generally reduces affective and behavioral engagement compared to human-created posts. This trend is particularly pronounced with emotional content. The study also suggests that late disclosure can mitigate some negative effects for AI-enhanced work, though it is less effective for fully AI-generated content. These insights provide critical guidance for creators and platforms seeking to balance transparency with maintaining audience connection. #InformationSystems #GenerativeAI #SocialMediaResearch #DigitalContent #UserEngagement #ContentLabeling #UserEngagement #SocialMedia #AlgorithmicAversion

We have published a new research paper: "From regulation to orchestration: Collective action in the emergence of digital circular ecosystems" by Dr. Timo Böttcher, Simon Röckinghausen, Philipp Kernstock & Helmut Krcmar. https://lnkd.in/ef2BB5ec In this publication, researchers explore the development of a digital ecosystem by examining the Battery Pass consortium in depth. The case study illustrates how the European Union’s New Batteries Regulation was a critical catalyst for developing a digital product passport. The study reveals that, while regulatory mandates provide the necessary shared imperative, the role of a consortium as an institutional facilitator successfully translates policy ambiguity into technical interoperability and trust. By identifying a distinct "policy-catalyzed, consortium-orchestrated" pathway to ecosystem emergence, the authors offer valuable insights for sectors where fragmented markets impede voluntary cooperation. These findings offer a strategic roadmap for policymakers and industry leaders who aim to build transparent, data-sharing infrastructures for the circular economy. #InformationSystems #DigitalEcosystems #CircularEconomy #DigitalProductPassport #ResearchImpact #DigitalReligion #EcosystemServices #EcologicalNetwork #Emergence #Industry4.0 #RegulatoryNetworks

We have published new research: "The impact of information-seeking behavior and site-related factors on perceived crowding" by Diana Chvirova, Franka Menke, Dr. Arne Buchwald, Robert Keller & Christiaan Niemeijer. https://lnkd.in/euptry2t Managing visitor density is a persistent challenge for the sustainability and appeal of popular destinations. This newly published study investigates how tourists' information-seeking behaviors - ranging from real-time digital updates to multi-day pre-trip planning - interact with site-specific factors to shape perceptions of overcrowding. Using data from over 5,500 visitors in different German regions, the authors show that the effectiveness of information strategies depends heavily on the context. Real-time data successfully mitigates crowding perceptions in spatially restricted settings, but multi-day planning can paradoxically increase these perceptions in open, natural environments. The research also identifies "perceptual sensitization" among repeat visitors, who report higher levels of perceived crowding than first-time guests. These findings provide destination managers with critical insights to tailor digital interventions based on spatial layout and environmental volatility. By integrating peer-to-peer tips into formal platforms and prioritizing real-time guidance in constrained spaces, destination managers can better influence visitor expectations and enhance the overall tourist experience. #InformationSystems #TourismManagement #VisitorBehavior #DigitalIntervention #PerceivedCrowding #SmartTourism #InformationSeekingBehavior #VisitorManagement #CrowdManagement

we have published new research: "Would you forgive anthropomorphic conversational AI agents for service failures? Exploring the impact of anthropomorphism on customer forgiveness" by Yuguang Xie, Changyong Liang, Peiyu Zhou, Shuping Zhao & Li Jiang. https://lnkd.in/eJc7ekQ4 As generative AI continues to transform service delivery, service failures have become an inevitable reality and a significant challenge for firms. This research investigates how the design of conversational AI agents (CAIs) affects customers' willingness to forgive after a performance slip. Drawing on attribution theory, the researchers examine how different anthropomorphic cues - visual, identity, auditory, and emotional - impact the recovery process. The findings reveal a "double-edged sword" effect: while emotional cues can mitigate anger and foster forgiveness, certain visual and identity cues may inadvertently heighten frustration and reduce the likelihood that customers will forgive. By mapping emotional and cognitive pathways, this study provides critical insights for designers and managers who want to build more resilient, AI-driven services. Understanding these dynamics is essential for maintaining long-term customer relationships in an increasingly automated marketplace. #InformationSystems #ConversationalAI #CustomerExperience #AIResearch #DigitalTransformation #ServiceFailure #Anthropomorphism #ConversationalAgents #CustomerForgiveness #HumanAIInteraction #HCI

Electronic Markets offers fast track opportunities for the following three minitracks at Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences, HICSS 60: 1) AI-enabled Digital Transformation for SMEs (EI) Co-Chairs: Yao Shi and Judith Gebauer 2) AI Ecosystems: Agents, Assistants, and Platforms (IN) Co-Chair: Rainer Schmidt 3) Managing Platforms and Ecosystems (OS) Co-Chair: Vladimir Sobota Selected papers will be invited to submit an extended version to Electronic Markets, providing an opportunity for a possible journal publication. More details about these fast-track opportunities can be found here: https://lnkd.in/dmrvcKkX

We have published a new research paper: "Seasonal shifts and pandemic effects on tourist mobility: A study of attraction-level movement patterns in Jeju Island" by Kisung Jung & Yoonjae Nam, Kyung Hee University, https://lnkd.in/eDAWgkye Tourist movement dynamics are undergoing significant transformations driven by natural seasonal cycles and global health crises. This study explores these patterns by analyzing over 22,000 online reviews of Jeju Island to map how travelers navigate destinations over time. Using network centrality measures, the researchers found that the overall popularity of major attractions remains stable across seasons, while "bridge" locations, which connect different parts of the travel network, fluctuate significantly. Furthermore, the findings reveal a notable behavioral shift during the pandemic. Travelers increasingly bypassed indoor venues in favor of traditional markets and outdoor spaces, prioritizing health and safety while seeking less crowded environments. This research provides valuable insights for destination management organizations and digital platform providers aiming to optimize tourism flows and adapt to changing visitor preferences in a post-pandemic landscape. #InformationSystems #TourismAnalytics #DigitalPlatforms #DataScience  #TouristsMovementPatterns #COVID19Ppandemic #TouristAttractions #NetworkAnalysis #SeasonalVariations

We have published an Invited Paper: "Bridging digital transformation in public health with digital responsibility" by Maria Neubauer, Doreen Schick, Melina S., Jeannette Stark, Torsten Eymann & Hannes Schlieter. https://lnkd.in/eHa9NV_5 As public health systems undergo rapid digitalization, the need for frameworks that ensure the ethical and responsible implementation of technology has become paramount. This publication addresses this challenge by contextualizing the Digital Responsibility (DR) framework within the public health sector's specific needs. Using a content analysis approach, the authors map the DR framework against the Public Health Agency Maturity Model (PHAMM), a standard tool for assessing digital maturity in the German public health service. Through the analysis of 354 unique criteria, the study pinpoints critical subthemes and suggests an expansion of the existing DR model. Notable enhancements include integrating "security" as a core principle and adding inter- and intracorporate relational levels to the framework. This research provides public health agencies with a structured pathway to balance digital advancement with organizational responsibility. We encourage researchers and practitioners to explore these findings and their implications for digital health governance. #InformationSystems #PublicHealth #DigitalResponsibility #DigitalTransformation #HealthIT #DigitalResponsibility #PublicHealth #Digitalization #MaturityModel #PublicHealthAgencies

We have published new research: "German consumers’ intention to adopt reusable transport packaging in e-commerce: An extension of the theory of planned behavior" by Darleen Dolch & Rainer Lasch, Technische Universität Dresden. https://lnkd.in/eVfN4psN As online retail continues to grow, reducing the environmental impact of packaging waste has become a critical challenge for the industry. This study examines the factors that influence German consumers' decisions to use reusable transport packaging (RTP) in a circular economy. Using an extension of the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), the authors analyzed survey data from nearly 800 online shoppers to determine the drivers of the shift toward sustainable logistics. The study reveals that environmental concern and perceived usefulness are the primary catalysts for adoption. Contrary to popular belief, return convenience and personal innovativeness were found to have a negligible direct impact on intention, instead acting through the mediation of consumer attitudes. These findings provide essential insights for retailers and packaging providers, suggesting that marketing strategies should prioritize the functional benefits and ecological value of reusable systems. The results also reveal that frequent shopping can weaken the link between environmental concern and sustainable choices, indicating the need for targeted interventions for habitual shoppers. #InformationSystems #CircularEconomy #Ecommerce #SustainableLogistics #ReusableTransportPackaging #CircularPackaging #ConsumerLogistics #Survey #PLSSEM