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Researcher
Person: Koç, Hasan
Head of Program, Data Science & Business
Research themes
Enterprise Architecture Business Informatics Digitalisation Technostress Artificial Intelligence Robotic Process Automation
Biography
Projects
Publications
Analyzing the Influence of Technostress on Students: A Systematic Literature Review
(2023) Pourahmad, Zahra; Koç, Hasan
Technostress is the stress experienced by individuals due to the use of technology. In today's digital age, students are increasingly exposed to technology, which, with many benefits, can also lead to technostress. This can harm students' overall well-being and academic performance. We thus argue that the impact of technology use on students should be better understood, and perform a systematic literature review (SLR), following the guidelines outlined in Okoli's 8-step procedure. Reviewing the articles addressing technostress among students, the findings indicate that technostress can lead to decreased focus and concentration, impaired sleep patterns, social isolation, and a decline in mental health. It can also contribute to a negative attitude towards technology, hindering students' ability to effectively leverage its potential for learning and productivity. The findings also suggest that the experience of stress is influenced by an individual’s perception of a stressful situation. Different individuals may perceive the same situation as stressful or non-stressful, depending on various factors such as time, place, and personal interpretation. This SLR provides a comprehensive and dependable resource for researchers, identifies existing research gaps, and proposes directions for future investigations.
Irish & German Economic Links in Perspective: A Fruitful and Dynamic Bilateral Relationship
(Irish Embassy in Berlin, 2025-05) Behar-Villegas, Erick; Mantel, Peter; Hynes, Jennifer; Koç, Hasan; Rangel, Pedro
This study outlines the development of the economic relationship between Ireland and Germany
in the last decade, examining the details of a robust partnership through international trade and
investment data, a general macroeconomic analysis and a review of relevant press themes.
Macroeconomic aspects
The intensification of Ireland and Germany's bilateral economic integration has been marked by
a thriving Irish export economy and a stagnant, yet still robust, German economy. Following
Brexit, Irish exports to Germany flourished in the pharmaceutical and chemical sectors,
potentially reflecting a deeper intra-EU integration as consequence. In addition, the Irish economy
has shown a steady growth rate in real GDP and relatively mild growth of modified gross national
income (GNI*), despite the COVID-19 pandemic.
Macroeconomic data elicit a constant trade surplus for Ireland in the last decade, growing sixfold
from 2018 to 2023. This indicates that the demand for Ireland's products and services has risen
considerably. A fundamental regional driver of this intensification of trade and investment is the
federal state (Bundesland) Baden-Württemberg, which imports more than three times the value
of Irish goods and services (such as pharmaceuticals, automotive parts, and electronic components)
than its regional neighbours. The leading Irish export sectors are consumption and intermediate
goods, while capital goods, such as machinery, show a stronger dominance on the German side,
explaining a minor Irish deficit in this category since 2013.
With regards to the labour market, both countries portray stable figures and relatively low
unemployment rates. In terms of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), 2017 marked the beginning
of a considerable rise of German investments in Ireland, while the investment flows from Ireland
to Germany, though robust, have fluctuated slightly. However, when looking into the number of
Irish companies in Germany, the year 2017 also marks the beginning of a rapid increase of
companies and new employment.
Irish-German deals and the intensification of a long-term partnership
This long-standing partnership includes the establishment of new ventures that showcase a
bilateral success story of integration within the European Union. This is exemplified by Merck's
approximate €450 million investments in further infrastructure in Ireland until 2027 as well as
the multi-million-euro investment in 2022 of the Warsteiner brewery in the Irish craft brewery
Rye River. Similarly, Hamburg based company Capital Surge have invested around €140 million
to establish 20 solar parks in Ireland.
Thematic analysis of Irish and German media from 2016 to January 2024 revealed key discussions
on relationships, trade, and investments between the two countries. The economic relationship
between Ireland and Germany has demonstrated that both countries benefitted from strong ties
with one another. Looking ahead, the future perspectives for this relationship appear promising,
as both nations continue to seek opportunities for further cooperation, as exemplified by the
energy sector, especially in the field of renewables.