Solomon Odei-Appiah, Gamel Wiredu and Joseph Kwame Adjei
Financial Technology (FinTech) innovations enable the provision of financial services to many unbanked across the world by increasing access. The key role of FinTech to drive…
Abstract
Purpose
Financial Technology (FinTech) innovations enable the provision of financial services to many unbanked across the world by increasing access. The key role of FinTech to drive financial inclusion however suffers significant impediments including the digital divide. Nevertheless, there is paucity of elaborate theories on financial inclusion while extant literature on FinTech only identify factors that drive its acceptance and use with little attention to inhibitors such as the digital divide. This study aims to investigate the impact of FinTech usage on financial inclusion amid the digital divide.
Design/methodology/approach
This study uses the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT2) and the model of digital inequality. A structural equation modeling technique is applied to data collected from 282 respondents in an online survey.
Findings
The findings confirm a positive influence of FinTech use on financial inclusion as well as the influence of performance expectancy and facilitating conditions on behavioral intentions. The results also show that digital divide measured with access, resource and force moderate the use of FinTech.
Originality/value
This study presents a theoretical model which is unique given that UTAUT2 was combined with digital divide moderators from the model of digital inequality to explain how FinTech usage impacts on financial inclusion. Addressing the research questions has led several theoretical contributions including the extension of the applicability of UTAUT2.
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Joseph Kwame Adjei, Solomon Odei-Appiah and Peter Ebo Tobbin
Information system continuance model has been used in a number of studies to explain information system continuance in different contexts. However, very little research attention…
Abstract
Purpose
Information system continuance model has been used in a number of studies to explain information system continuance in different contexts. However, very little research attention has been given to continuous use of mobile financial services (MFS). The purpose of this study is to fill this research gap by identifying the main factors that influence the continual use of MFS.
Design/methodology/approach
A sample was randomly taken from MFS registered accounts or mobile wallets. A five-point Likert scale survey was conducted in Ghana. Structural equation modelling was used to test the data. Constructs such as continual use, satisfaction, perceived usefulness and confirmation were adapted from information system continuance model to suit the requirement of MFS. A pilot study was then carried out after the questionnaire was developed to gauge the appropriateness of the survey questions.
Findings
Results from the survey indicated that user satisfaction has the greatest impact on the continual use of mobile financial services. Good agent quality and satisfaction were the second most influential determinant. Satisfaction was, in turn, confirmed to be determined by perceived usefulness. Another important contributor to MFS continual use was found to be perceived ease of use (PEOU) with an impact surprisingly higher than that of perceived usefulness. There was a significant impact of good agent quality on satisfaction, which could be attributed to the characteristics of the technology for the study.
Research limitations/implications
Although a relatively high R2 (71%) was indicated by the proposed model, there is need for additional factors to be identified to improve the ability to predict and explain the continual use of MFS. A longitudinal study would have enhanced the identification of determinants and the understanding of their inter-relationships to influence MFS continual use.
Practical implications
To ensure continual use of MFS, PEOU as identified by the study is important to ensure that customers can use the service with little effort. Good agent quality can promote PEOU in the sense that competent agents can render relevant tutorials to customers’ right after the registration process. This will address a major barrier to continual use, which is the lack of understanding of how MFS operate.
Social implications
This study contributes to ensuring financial inclusion such that the unbanked can have access to financial services and also improve digital inclusion.
Originality/value
The study provides empirical evidence to support the substantive differences between acceptance and continual use behaviours, integrating the constructs of good agent quality and PEOU into our understanding of information system continual use literature. The authors also theorized and evaluated a model of MFS continual use.
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Solomon Odei-Appiah and Emmanuel Adu-Mensah
Digital technologies are swiftly reshaping Information Systems (IS) and redefining its boundaries. This paper aims to introduce “Information Systems (IS) Consumerization” to…
Abstract
Purpose
Digital technologies are swiftly reshaping Information Systems (IS) and redefining its boundaries. This paper aims to introduce “Information Systems (IS) Consumerization” to replace the traditional terminology Information Technology (IT) Consumerization. It emphasizes user-generated content, seamless technology integration and user-driven social interactions.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper built on Lee, Thomas and Baskerville’s IS artifact framework and used deductive analysis to derive richer insights.
Findings
This study uncovered a comprehensive viewpoint that highlights how users actively shape technology, content and social dynamics, bridging the gap in IT consumerization discussions often limited to hardware and software.
Originality/value
The study proposes a unique framework titled “IS Consumerization Conception” which consist of Three Pillars: a) Technology Consumerization; b) Socialization Consumerization and c) Content Consumerization and their sub-elements. The introduction of this framework unites academia and practical understanding, enriching our grasp of technology, content, social interactions and the ever-evolving digital landscape.