Article Details
  • Published Online:
    May  2025
  • Product Name:
    The IUP Journal of Bank Management
  • Product Type:
    Article
  • Product Code:
    IJBM020525
  • DOI:
    10.71329/IUPJBM/2025.24.2.29-53
  • Author Name:
    Vineesh A K
  • Availability:
    YES
  • Subject/Domain:
    Finance
  • Download Format:
    PDF
  • Pages:
    29-53
Volume 24,Issue 2, May 2025
Kerala’s Rural Digital Leap: Gender-Sensitive Insights into Payment Adoption
Abstract

This study examines the factors influencing the intention to adopt digital payments among rural households in Kerala. The dimensions of digital payment adoption are conceptualized utilizing the constructs of Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT), specifically facilitating conditions and social influence. This framework was further enhanced by incorporating additional variables, namely, security and trust, and digital payment modes. The study also examines the mediating effect of attitude and the moderating effect of gender. Data were collected from 426 respondents through purposive sampling and analyzed using Smart PLS-SEM. The results indicated that facilitating conditions, social influence, security and trust, and digital payment modes significantly influenced adoption intention. The study confirmed that attitude significantly mediated the relationship between various dimensions of digital payment adoption and intention. Furthermore, gender-based multigroup analysis revealed no significant gender-based differences in the effect of dimensions of digital payment adoption on intention. The findings provide implications for policymakers, financial institutions, and technology developers to promote technological innovations in finance.

Introduction

Technological advancements have forced consumers to shift from conventional to cashless modes of financial transactions, including e-commerce, online banking, online finance, and smartphone-based transactions (Alwi et al., 2021; Arefjevs et al., 2020; Sukaris et al., 2021; Yan et al., 2021). Innovations in financial technology (fintech) have enabled the delivery of financial services, such as investment, lending, banking, payments, and insurance, through digital platforms (Ozili, 2018). Digital payments encompass card-based transactions, electronic transfers, Unified Payments Interface (UPI), and other mobile payment services