E-commerce for Development
Report: The Case of Nepalese Artisan Exporters

Research Report

I. INTRODUCTION AND STUDY FRAMEWORK

Motivation

Over the past two decades, we.ve witnessed the global network of computers connected to the Internet increase at an unprecedented rate. This development has been responsible for the introduction of an equally growing number of electronic commerce tools, systems and projects in recent years.

Why are we conducting this study? Because analysts still disagree on whether there is an effective means of using existing technologies to assist, support and sustain long-term e-commerce growth, particularly in emerging economies. Initial studies indicated that there was considerable promise in the CatGen platform, because of its innovative feature-set and strategic alliances with companies such as eBay, Oracle, Accenture and PayPal, which other platforms do not have. Our objective is to put this technology to the test, and determine whether our expectations would bear out, using CatGen.

Study Objectives

Our study focused on the efficacy of CatGen in emerging economies, particularly those in which the benefit of artisans and merchants being readily familiar with technology is rare. The scope of the study would evaluate CatGen in terms of ease of use, feasibility in areas with limited Internet access, affordability, scalability, return on investment, user responses, benefits and drawbacks, and a comprehensive comparison of the platform against leading competitors. Case studies of several typical CatGen users would also be provided. The study was conducted in Nepal, because the concept of e-commerce is relatively new in Nepal.

The study does not address the issue of on-going training, business development programs and programs to make hardware more accessible in developing economies, although these particular concerns are projects CatGen and some of its strategic partners are currently addressing.

Could the CatGen platform be seen as a feasible means of assisting artisans, merchants and vendors in emerging economies, including women.s initiatives and the developmentally disabled, create, build and sustain profitable e-commerce projects?

What, if anything, sets this technology apart in addressing the need for driving traffic and building integrated, seamless marketplaces globally? Does CatGen.s technology foster a greater sense of .trust. between the consumer and artisan? In what ways does the infomediary approach of the CatGen platform transform the typical intermediary role into something more relevant to the needs of the 21st century marketplace?

In which areas does this platform excel, and in which areas are improvements needed?

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