Industry 4.0 (I4.0) mainly focuses on manufacturing technology and processes that comprise a cyber-physical system (CPS), Internet of things (IoT), Industrial Internet of things (IIOT), Cognitive Computing and Artificial intelligence as innovation towards the computerization and exchange of information. Though it has been an emerging issue in the industrial and business world, very few studies has been undertaken in the Nepalese case. In this context, the study accesses the industrial readiness for the adoption of I4.0 in Kathmandu valley, Nepal. Explanatory Exploratory research design was adopted to examine if variables chosen actually affect industrial readiness and data was collected through structured questionnaires using both descriptive and inferential statistics via Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). Adopting the census method to collect data, a total of 287 industries located in three industrial estates were taken as a population. Collected data were analyzed using SPSS and AMOS. The study found that the major problem while adopting I4.0 is the lack of skilled manpower in the industrial sector. In addition, we found people, customers, and culture, strategy and leadership, governance and operations have a significant effect on technology innovation decision making. Similarly, government intervention plays a significant mediation role between dependent and independent variables. Furthermore, this study found industries in Nepal are not ready for I4.0 as they are not implementing any enabling technology that enables industry 4.0. These results will support managers/policymakers in recognizing the strategic actions that can be embraced in order to improve the company's readiness level to seek the optimum benefits from the adoption of I4.0 paradigms.

The urban water supply systems around the world are highly stressed at present due to growing water demand caused by rapid population growth and unplanned urbanization. The growing environmental awareness and water supply restrictions have made rainwater harvesting systems (RWHS) a priority as well as a necessity in many countries. To improve urban water security, the practice of an RWHS is increasingly being adopted in the cities and towns of developing countries. This study aims at identifying the factors affecting the adoption of rainwater harvesting for household uses in the Kathmandu valley (KV) of Nepal. The results were drawn from a survey of 405 respondents who reside in the KV. To explain the determinants of adaptation, structural equation modeling (SEM) was used. Results show that independence for water access and system sophistication are significant for the adaptation of RWHS and relative advantage plays a moderating role that has partial mediation among dependent and independent variables with a significant relationship. Thus, variables like independence for water access, system sophistication, relative advantage and sustainable use should be highlighted for a sustainable supply of water. For this, we recommend effective policy interventions at the local and national level for the adoption of RWHS and its advantages in terms of safeguarding water in the long run at the present changing climate scenario.

This study investigates the mediating influence of perceived ease of use on the relationship among faculty perspective, students’ perspective, technology perspective and the effectiveness of online learning. Employing a causal-comparative research design, data were collected from 390 respondents using a five-point Likert scale. Structural equation modelling through AMOS was employed as the data analysis tool. The research findings reveal that perceived ease of use plays a crucial mediating role in the association among faculty perspective, students’ perspective, technology perspective and the effectiveness of online learning. The results underscore the significance of user experience and the ease with which individuals interact with online learning platforms in influencing the overall effectiveness of online education. These findings offer valuable insights into enhancing the design and implementation of online learning systems, with the aim of improving user satisfaction and maximizing the educational outcomes of online learning environments. As technology continues to play an integral role in modern education, understanding the role of perceived ease of use becomes paramount in creating engaging and effective online learning experiences. Future research avenues may delve deeper into specific factors that contribute to perceived ease of use, further enriching our understanding of the intricate dynamics between user perspectives and online learning effectiveness.

Background: Mobile devices have created a new channel for retailers to provide more targeted offerings to their customers. Online purchasing is the method of gaining knowledge of and purchasing merchandise or offerings over the Internet. Objective: This study aims to investigate online shopping users' perceptions by determining the factors that drive buyers towards shopping in the Kathmandu Valley. Methods: By adopting a descriptive and causal research design, the researchers collected data using non-probability sampling from 403 respondents in Kathmandu Valley with the help of KOBO Toolbox. A structured checklist is the main research instrument used for data collection. We analyzed the obtained data by using SPSS and AMOS software inferentially. For the hypothesis testing, we analyzed data using SEM. Results: SEM result indicates previous online shopping experience, and consumer lifestyle (CL) have a significant relationship with consumers' attitude (CA) and online purchasing intention (OPI). Conclusions: Consumers' perception towards online shopping differs according to their attitude, experience and lifestyle. However, poor quality of products, hidden costs and timely delivery of the products and services are major challenges faced by customers during online shopping. To ensure the growth of online shopping in Kathmandu Valley, the government should pay attention to legislation linked to online shopping, selling quality items and providing secure online payment.

This study aims to investigate the relationship between learning orientation and performance of commercial banks in Nepal, with a specific focus on the mediating role of customer relationship management (CRM). Using an explanatory research design and convenient sampling, data was collected from 260 participants with the aid of KOBO Toolbox. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used to evaluate the data quantitatively. The results suggest that CRM plays a mediating role between learning orientation and banking performance, providing theoretical relevance in terms of organizational learning theory. The findings emphasize the importance of factors that empower and enable customers, such as customer skills and satisfaction, for the survival of the banking industry. Banks should prioritize excellent customer service and a positive consumer experience to enhance their performance. The concern of, this paper lies in its empirical investigation of the interrelationships between learning orientation, CRM, and performance in a specific context, as well as its theoretical and practical contributions to the field of organizational learning in the banking industry.