25th Wuhan International Conference on E-Business(WHICEB2026)

Doctoral Consortium Call for Papers

The deep integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital platform management is reshaping the platform economy ecosystem. Through intelligent recommendation algorithms, automated decision-making systems, and data-driven governance mechanisms, it provides new momentum for platform enterprises to enhance operational efficiency and innovation capabilities. The 2026 Government Work Report clearly states: “Deepen and expand ‘AI+’, accelerate the promotion of new-generation intelligent terminals and intelligent agents, promote commercialized and scaled application of AI in key industry sectors, and cultivate new intelligent-native business formats and models.” This doctoral consortium will focus on exploring AI-driven digital platform management and transformation, promoting the development of e-commerce disciplines and talent cultivation. It enables outstanding doctoral students from the same field but with different backgrounds to engage in deep, multi-dimensional, and comprehensive exchanges and discussions around vertical scenario applications of ‘AI+’, advancing academic research and collaboration in related fields.

Upon decision by the Nottingham University Business School China and the School of Economics and Management at China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), the 25th Wuhan International Conference on E-Business Doctoral Consortium is scheduled to be held on May 29, 2026, at the University of Nottingham Ningbo China. During the doctoral consortium, in addition to academic exchanges and expert commentary, renowned scholars in the field of e-commerce will be invited to deliver keynote presentations on relevant topics.

I. Doctoral Consortium Theme

Artificial Intelligence and Digital Platform Management

II. Organization

Organizers: Nottingham University Business School China, School of Economics and Management at China University of Geosciences (Wuhan)

Host: Nottingham University Business School China

III. Doctoral Consortium Co-Chairs

Prof. Alain Chong (Nottingham University Business School China)

Prof. Kanliang Wang (Renmin University of China Business School)

IV. Keynote Speakers

Prof. Chee Wei (David) Phang (Nottingham University Business School China)

Prof. Le Wang (School of Economics and Finance, Xi’an Jiaotong University)

Others to be confirmed

V. Main Activities

(1) Call for Papers

The doctoral consortium invites papers from master’s and doctoral students, as well as young faculty members, specializing in Management Science and Engineering, Information Management and Information Systems, E-Commerce, and Digital Economy across China. First and second prizes will be awarded, with prizes and certificates presented by the conference.

(2) Keynote Presentations

Renowned scholars and industry experts in the field of e-commerce from both domestic and international institutions will be invited to report on the latest research hotspots and frontiers in e-commerce platform economy and artificial intelligence.

(3) Expert Commentary and Social Event Activities

Authors of accepted papers will be invited to present their work at the doctoral consortium, with on-site commentary provided by distinguished domestic experts. Through roundtable discussions, tea break sessions, and other formats, the doctoral consortium provides a relaxed yet creative intellectual interaction space for participating scholars and early-career researchers. Participants can exchange ideas with excellent IS mid-career and early-career scholars in a relaxed atmosphere, expand academic networks, share research experiences, and discover collaboration opportunities.

VI. Submission Topics

The paper topics include but are not limited to the following themes, which serve as a reference for the authors:

1. Platform Economy and Governance
2. Algorithmic Recommendation and Human-Computer Interaction
3. Platform Data Privacy and Security
4. Multi-Agent Simulation-Based Platform Competition Modeling
5. Intelligent Marketing and Customer Insights
6. Data-Driven Product Design
7. Generative AI and User Behavior
8. Digital Intelligence Innovation and Social Value
9. AI Applications in Various Service Scenarios
10. AI Personalized Services and Value Creation
11. Other Topics Related to Digital Intelligence Services and Management

VII. Submission Requirements

1. Submissions are open to doctoral students, senior master’s students with strong research foundations (including combined master’s-doctoral candidates), and young faculty members. Graduate students without submitted papers may also participate in learning and discussions.
2. Papers must be original and innovative, with accurate data and standardized writing. The main text should be arround 10,000 words. Both Chinese and English submissions are accepted. The forum also accepts extended abstracts, which should include main viewpoints, research models, data results, and innovations, with a minimum of 2,000 words.
3. Papers must be submitted in PDF format on A4 paper, including Chinese and English titles, abstracts, keywords, author names, supervisor names, author affiliations, main text, references, author biographies, and contact information (name, affiliation, phone number, and email address). Paper submission format details are available here (select “Save link as…” to download).
4. Submission deadline: April 30th, 2026. Acceptance notifications will be issued around May 10th.
5. Papers should be submitted through the 2026 Wuhan International Conference on E-Business online submission system EasyChair by selecting “Doctoral Consortium” at: https://easychair.org/conferences/?conf=whiceb2026
6. Doctoral consortium papers will not be disseminated or published. Please do not submit papers that have already been published or accepted elsewhere.

VIII. Doctoral Consortium Registration

1. Registration and payment deadline: May 17, 2026.
2. Forum date: May 29, 2026 (Friday, the day before WHICEB2026)
3. Forum venue: University of Nottingham Ningbo China Business School
4. Contact Information:

• Wang Fei, Phone: +86-13349967650, Email: wangfei@cug.edu.cn
• Zheng Shuning, Phone: +86-13736172504, Email: Sunny.Zheng@nottingham.edu.cn

The doctoral consortium will charge a registration fee of 500 RMB per person, which includes lunch and dinner on the forum day. We sincerely invite master’s and doctoral supervisors and professional research and teaching personnel in e-commerce and related fields from across China to attend. Doctoral and master’s students in e-commerce are warmly welcomed to submit papers and participate in the forum for academic exchange. We look forward to gathering together in beautiful Ningbo!