Topic: Influence of Online Business on Women’s Socio-economic Condition

Name: Mustansira Bintey Faruk

Abstract:
This paper will attempt to evaluate the influence of online business on women’s socio-economic
condition. This research will conduct using mixed approach such as qualitative and quantitative
method to assess the influence of online business on women’s socio-economic condition. An
online survey will conduct through a semi-structured questionnaire from a sample of some
women entrepreneurs operating online business to identify the factors encouraging women
choosing online business and influence of this sector in their life and challenges they face in
operating their business. Some case studies will conduct for more in-depth information. This
paper will interrogate the influential factors that inspire women to do online business for
improving their socio-economic condition. This study will also try to identify the challenges that
may face most of the respondents to operate their online business.

Keywords:
Online Business, Socio economic condition, E-commerce, Women entrepreneur, Facebook –
commerce.

Introduction:
Online business is any kind of business or commercial transaction that includes sharing
information across the internet. For the purpose of the study on online business is when a
business owner who does any or all of their business on the internet particularly through social
media platform when they sell products services or do advertising. Online business has become
an important part of everyday life for consumers during 21st century. Online businesses, specially
based on social media platforms like Facebook, are extremely popular now. These businesses,
mostly owned and managed by women entrepreneurs, are taking orders through Facebook and
delivering the products through delivery companies. In a country like Bangladesh, where online
payment system is rather complicated, Facebook-commerce or f-commerce as it is called is
naturally more popular than e-Commerce (Genitor-2013).
It is noticeable that most of the owners of the online business are women. The entrepreneurship
of women is regarded to be an effective way for the economic development and empowerment of
women. Online or e-business makes it easier for women to be an entrepreneur. It is noticeable
that women are particularly interested in e-business because it is hassle free and does not require
large capital or physical stores (Geetha and Barani -2012). Ease of Usage plays a role behind the
popularity of online stores. Online business emerges as one of the solution of unemployment for
many as they start a small business through Facebook page and earn handsomely figure from
business. Facebook pages offer diversified products, which encourage customer to visit and
purchase more. Online stores are able to set up their online store free, and they do not have to
deal with websites or a physical space, requiring very little investment. Unfortunately, women in
this sector face several challenger such as increased tariff on important, delivery and payment
system hassle, no legal framework, insufficient business knowledge, lack of access to internet

and financial funds. Besides these problems of social non recognition and national devaluation
are the biggest challenges. Still today women are often discouraged both at family and village
level , in their entrepreneurial efforts. Often the fear that it may change or shift the power
structure creates hurdles in their path. Many women are also uncertain about their professional
opportunities once they get married. In addition,juggling household responsibilities and work
responsibilities can be very challenging and may result in women opting out of the ICT driven
development effort ( Maier & Nair-Reichert 2007 )
F-Commerce is one of the newest forms of online business verious which got popular amoung
entrepreneurs of many countries because of it’s wide marketing reach due to better targetting
greter interaction and higher return on investment. This form of business is really appreciated by
the new generation of people who shop online. This mainly ascribe to the fact that shopping in
facebook pages is convenient for the young generation. In Bangladesh there is no difference
from the global scenario and the prospect of online Business in Bangladesh is even better growth
of online community in phenomenal considering statistics.
Global research has shown that women owned online business are an underutilized resource for
sustainable economic growth and job creation. Women are more likely to take a long term view
of their businesses reinvest their business profits into their firms and carefully manage risks to
scale sustainably. They are also more ambitious Bangladeshi preception of women’s growth
potential in the country. So it is high time for authority and society to give proper attention in
this potential sector.

Research questions:
1 Which influencial factors that inspire women to do online business are responsible for
improving their socio-economic condition?
2.How effective online business to reduce unemployment problem of women?
3.What are the challenges may face most of the respondents to operate their online business?

Research objectives:
1.To find out various factors influencing women choosing online business.
2.To identify how online business influence women’s socio-economic cindition.
3.To find out the challenges of women involved in online business and how to over come these
challenges