FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE ONLINE BUSINESS IN NEPAL

The purpose of this study was to explore the issues that influence the emergence and growth of online businesses in Kathmandu, Nepal, utilizing a qualitative case study design. The problem was a lack of scholarly knowledge and a paucity of literature concerning the nature of online businesses in developing countries, including Nepal. Nonetheless, the findings produced by this study supported the extant literature; it is essential to understand how online businesses might help people in the underdeveloped world. A total of 15 participants, all Kathmandu-based online business owners and managers involved with online startups were selected through a non-random purposive sampling method. The data were collected via in-person interviews, and fifteen interview questions were addressed. As a result, nine data-based themes emerged. The resultant transcripts were analyzed using Dedoose software. The study, which advanced knowledge of emerging online businesses in Nepal and similar developing countries, might help future entrepreneurs in Nepal to understand the possible constraints, consequences, and future of creating online business operations there. The primary conclusion was that electronic online services were found present and only constituted a partial component of the online business in Nepal. The prime implications were that online business in Nepal was still not fully born. An online business was found successful with urban, young 18-30-year-old consumers, and Nepal’s gigantic mountains hindered online business development. Business leaders and consumers lack sufficient technical knowledge. The government has neither worked proactively with the private sector to advance online businesses nor universities and other educational institutions. Most Nepalis are not computer-literate, there is difficulty in delivering products swiftly, and Nepalese do business with leaders they trust. Still, most of the consumers were found to choose to patronize brick-and-mortar stores operating traditionally.