Covid-19: How does it affect international e-commerce firms? : A qualitative case study about how the Covid-19 situation affects e-commerce firms and how they respond to it

Abstract: The purpose of this thesis is to investigate how Covid-19 affects international e-commerce firms. Covid-19 has been the source of changes in the international business environment across world from the beginning of year 2020. The effects on e-commerce firms are nearly unknown, therefore this research is unique. The aim of this study is to gain more knowledge on how international e-commerce firms are responding to the pandemic. By following a qualitative research method, the study will explore and conduct a deeper understanding on the e-commerce firms experience through a data collection. The literature review has been established, theories are mostly related to digital business environment and international value chain activities. The literature review has been summed up into a conceptual framework which illustrates the connections between the theories and Covid-19. Furthermore, the conceptual framework has been used to analyze the findings from the empirical data which was conducted in a multi-case study. The analysis chapter discusses similarities differences between the cases and connection to theory. Lastly, the conclusion chapter of this thesis concludes the findings and analysis, and it contains theoretical implications, recommendations, limitations and suggestions for future research.