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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ligatures:none">Dear colleagues,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ligatures:none"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ligatures:none">We are pleased to invite you to submit your papers to the mini track, "<b>Social Media Influencers and Influencing</b>", as part of the Digital and Social Media track at the Hawaii International Conference
on System Sciences 59 (HICSS-59). The conference will be held at the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort, Maui, Hawaii, from January 6-9, 2026.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Deadline for submissions: <b>June 15, 2025</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://hicss.hawaii.edu/tracks-59/digital-and-social-media/#social-media-influencers-and-influencing-minitrack">https://hicss.hawaii.edu/tracks-59/digital-and-social-media/#social-media-influencers-and-influencing-minitrack</a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Minitrack Description:</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In the digital age, social media influencers have emerged as powerful players in shaping public opinion and driving consumer behavior. They engage millions of followers through platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, promoting products,
services, and lifestyles. This call for papers invites research exploring the impact and influence of social media influencers across various societal dimensions. In addition to traditional human influencers, this call also seeks studies on the rise of virtual
influencers—digital avatars created to engage audiences and endorse products and brands.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The landscape of influencer marketing is rapidly evolving with the advent of artificial intelligence (AI), augmented reality (AR), and blockchain-based social commerce. AI-driven influencers and algorithmic content curation are reshaping
engagement dynamics, while concerns around influencer-driven misinformation, deepfake-generated endorsements, and ethical sustainability continue to grow. Technological advancements present both challenges and opportunities in influencer marketing, making
this minitrack a timely venue for cutting-edge research.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">From questions of ethics and accountability in influencer marketing to the role of influencers in shaping cultural norms and values, there is a growing need to understand the broader implications of this phenomenon. The influence of social
media influencers can be both positive and negative, and it is important to examine both the benefits and the potential drawbacks of influencer marketing. Virtual influencers, in particular, introduce unique challenges, including the blurring of reality and
digital fabrication, as well as the ethical considerations surrounding the use of AI-generated personas. As influencer marketing continues to expand, it is crucial to assess its impact on consumers, businesses, and society as a whole. We encourage submissions
that bring together interdisciplinary perspectives and innovative research methods to advance our understanding on this dynamic and evolving field.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Topics of Interest includes:<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<ul style="margin-top:0cm" type="disc">
<li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left:0cm;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo3">The role of social media influencers in marketing and advertising<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left:0cm;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo3">The impact of social media influencers on consumer behavior<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left:0cm;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo3">Ethics, transparency, and accountability in influencer marketing<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left:0cm;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo3">The relationship between social media influencers and traditional media<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left:0cm;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo3">The influence of influencers on politics, public opinion, and social movements<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left:0cm;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo3">Virtual influencers: their impact on consumer behavior and the advertising industry<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left:0cm;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo3">Ethics concerns surrounding virtual influencers and AI-generated personas<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left:0cm;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo3">The dark side of influencer culture<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left:0cm;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo3">Well-being of influencers and followers<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left:0cm;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo3">Compensatory consumption and social media influencers<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left:0cm;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo3">AI-driven influencers, algorithmic content curation, and engagement manipulation<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left:0cm;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo3">Influencer marketing and generative AI content<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left:0cm;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo3">Influencer-driven misinformation, disinformation, and its societal impact<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left:0cm;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo3">Influencers and sustainability marketing: ethical consumption vs. greenwashing<o:p></o:p></li></ul>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Important Dates:<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<ul style="margin-top:0cm" type="disc">
<li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left:0cm;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo6">June 15, 2025, 11:59 pm (HST): Manuscript submission deadline<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left:0cm;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo6">August 17, 2025, 11:59 pm (HST): Notification of acceptance/rejection<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left:0cm;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo6">September 22, 2025, 11:59 pm (HST): Submission of final manuscript for proceeding publication<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left:0cm;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo6">October 1, 2025, 11:59 pm (HST): Registration deadline (at least one author must register)<o:p></o:p></li></ul>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black">For more information, please visit the HICSS website:
<a href="https://hicss.hawaii.edu/">https://hicss.hawaii.edu</a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><o:p> </o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Minitrack Co-Chairs:<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Samira Farivar</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Carleton University</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">samira.farivar@carleton.ca</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Fang Wang</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Wilfrid Laurier University</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">fwang@wlu.ca</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to us. We look forward to your submissions and hope to see you in Maui!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-add-space:auto;background:white">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#EA1C24;mso-ligatures:none">——— </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-add-space:auto;background:white">
<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none">Samira Farivar</span></b><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none">, PhD<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-add-space:auto;background:white">
<span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none">Assistant Professor, Information Systems & Business Analytics</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-add-space:auto;background:white">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none">Sprott School of Business, Carleton University <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-add-space:auto;background:white">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none">1125 Colonel by Dr., Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6 </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-add-space:auto;background:white">
<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none">T</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none"> 613.520.2600 x2383</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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