IT250 Digital Economy
Digital Economy notes
9 chapter notes, in syllabus order. Each starts with the key points.
Unit 1
Introduction to the Digital Economy · note coming
Unit 2
Information Goods, Network Effects & Digital ScarcityUnit 2 of Digital Economy explores how digital products differ from physical goods, the economics of network effects (direct/indirect), and why digital scarcity is an illusion—with real-world examples from eSewa, WhatsApp, and Daraz, plus worked examples on pricing and adoption curves.9 min readUnit 3
Platforms, Two-Sided Markets & Network EffectsUnit 3 of Digital Economy explores how digital platforms like eSewa or Daraz connect buyers and sellers, why they thrive on network effects, and how they design pricing and incentives to balance two-sided markets—with real-world examples, diagrams, and exam-focused insights.11 min readUnit 4
Digital Business Models: Types, Strategies & Real-World CasesUnit 4 of Digital Economy explores how businesses leverage digital technologies to create value, covering subscription models, freemium strategies, pay-per-use, and platform-based economies. It analyzes cost structures, revenue streams, and competitive advantages of digital-first companies like eSewa, Daraz, and Ncell,12 min readUnit 5
Digital Payments & Fintech: Systems, Models & Nepal’s EcosystemUnit 5 of Digital Economy explores how digital payments (UPI, QR codes, wallets) and fintech innovations (neobanks, blockchain, BNPL) transform financial services, with case studies from eSewa, Khalti, and Ncell, plus regulatory challenges in Nepal’s context.9 min readUnit 6
Data as an Economic Asset: Value, Monetization & ChallengesUnit 6 of Digital Economy explores how data has become a critical economic resource—its types, valuation methods, monetization strategies, and ethical/legal challenges—with real-world examples from Nepalese and global platforms like eSewa, Google, and NTC.12 min readUnit 7
Gig Economy: Platforms, Workers, and Digital Labour DynamicsUnit 7 of Digital Economy explores the rise of gig work, digital labour platforms, and their economic and social impacts, using Nepalese and global case studies (Pathao, Daraz, Upwork) to illustrate worker rights, income volatility, and regulatory challenges.9 min readUnit 8
Digital Govt & Public Services: e-Governance, Smart Cities, Citizen-Centric DesignUnit 8 of Digital Economy explores how governments leverage digital technologies to improve public services, reduce corruption, and enhance citizen engagement through e-governance frameworks, smart city initiatives, and digital identity systems—with real-world examples from Nepal and global leaders.11 min readUnit 9
Regulation, Taxation & Competition in Digital EconomyUnit 9 of Digital Economy explores how governments and institutions control digital markets through laws, taxes, and competition policies, focusing on Nepal’s context, global models, and real-world impacts on platforms like eSewa, Daraz, and NEPSE.15 min readUnit 10
Digital Nepal Framework: Vision, Pillars, Opportunities & ChallengesUnit 10 of Digital Economy explores Nepal’s Digital Nepal Framework 2023, its five pillars, key opportunities in fintech, e-governance, and digital infrastructure, and the challenges of implementation—with real-world examples from eSewa, Ncell, and NEPSE.12 min read