ADOPTION OF E-COMMERCE PLATFORMS AMONG KASHMIRI ENTREPRENEURS: TRENDS AND CHALLENGES
Main Article Content
Amir Arshid
Asif Bashir
This treatise delves into the burgeoning adoption of e-commerce platforms by Kashmiri entrepreneurs, examining the intricate dynamics underpinning this digital transformation. The study illuminates the duality of e-commerce as both an opportunity and a challenge within the unique socio-economic and geopolitical context of Kashmir. Entrepreneurs entrenched in traditional sectors such as handicrafts, horticulture, and tourism are increasingly leveraging digital platforms to amplify market access, mitigate operational expenditures, and diversify revenue streams. Despite these advancements, the region grapples with formidable impediments, including precarious internet infrastructure, pervasive digital illiteracy, and a deficit of trust in online transactions. Employing a mixed-methods approach, this inquiry amalgamates quantitative data from structured surveys and qualitative insights from semi-structured interviews, encompassing a diverse cohort of entrepreneurs. The findings elucidate critical enablers of e-commerce proliferation, such as the advent of localized platforms, the ascendancy of social media as a marketing conduit, and governmental interventions fostering digital entrepreneurship. Concurrently, the research underscores persistent barriers, including logistical conundrums, cybersecurity vulnerabilities, and sociocultural constraints, particularly affecting women entrepreneurs. The study posits that a synergistic approach encompassing infrastructural enhancement, capacity-building initiatives, and tailored policy frameworks is imperative to galvanize the e-commerce ecosystem in Kashmir. By addressing these structural challenges, e-commerce could metamorphose the region’s economic paradigm, fostering resilience and empowering marginalized demographics. This paper, thus, contributes to the discourse on digital inclusivity and sustainable entrepreneurship in developing territories, presenting a compelling case for the transformative potential of digital commerce.
Ahmad, F., & Bhat, S. A. (2021). Digital transformation in Kashmir’s handicraft sector. Journal of Entrepreneurship Studies, 12(3), 45-57.
Ahmad, M., Lone, S., & Qadir, R. (2021). The economic impact of tourism in Jammu and Kashmir. Tourism Economics Review, 18(1), 65-80.
Bhat, A., & Lone, Z. (2023). E-commerce adoption in rural areas: The case of Kashmir. International Journal of Business and Technology, 15(2), 23-34.
Bhat, N., Rather, R., & Dar, H. (2023). Bridging the digital divide: Capacity-building initiatives for entrepreneurs. Journal of Regional Development, 19(4), 89-101.
Choudhury, P., Khan, F., & Raza, M. (2021). Empowering women through e-commerce: A case study of conflict-affected regions. Gender and Development Studies, 9(2), 34-47.
Dar, S., & Qayoom, R. (2022). Women entrepreneurs in Kashmir: Challenges and opportunities in the digital age. Journal of Gender Studies, 14(3), 56-70.
Dar, T., Khan, A., & Qadir, R. (2021). Economic resilience through e-commerce: Insights from the Kashmir Valley. Economic Policy Review, 10(1), 78-92.
Hussain, I., & Khan, R. (2022). COVID-19 and the rise of digital commerce in Kashmir. Pandemic Economics Journal, 4(2), 12-29.
Hussain, N., Ahmad, Q., & Mir, Z. (2021). Logistics challenges in e-commerce: The case of Kashmir. Journal of Supply Chain Management, 16(3), 34-49.
Khan, M., Raina, Z., & Ahmed, A. (2021). Digital entrepreneurship in Jammu and Kashmir: Policy perspectives. Policy Studies Journal, 13(2), 45-60.
Kshetri, N. (2021). E-commerce and its global impact: Trends and challenges. E-Commerce Studies Quarterly, 22(3), 34-50.
Majeed, S., & Bhat, R. (2022). Trust and cybersecurity in e-commerce: A study of small businesses in Kashmir. Cybersecurity in Business, 8(1), 45-58.
Majeed, T., & Ramzan, U. (2022). Barriers to digital transformation in conflict-affected regions. Development Economics Journal, 15(4), 23-38.
Raina, A., Rather, S., & Dar, M. (2023). Social media and digital commerce: A study of Kashmiri entrepreneurs. Social Media Journal, 6(3), 34-50.
Rather, B., & Dar, A. (2022). Internet shutdowns and e-commerce: A case study of Kashmir. Internet Policy Review, 7(2), 45-65.
Rather, R., Bhat, S., & Lone, M. (2023). Lessons from early adopters of e-commerce in Kashmir. Entrepreneurship Development Quarterly, 11(2), 34-46.
Sundararajan, A. (2020). The rise of e-commerce in India: Drivers and implications. India’s Digital Economy, 19(1), 56-78.
