Adoption of E-wallet among Penang Residents during the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Moderating Roles of Rewards

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to empirically examine the adoptions of e-wallet among Penang residents during the COVID-19 pandemic. It focuses on analysing the moderating roles of rewards on the e-wallet adoptions. The study is based on the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) theory. It shows the congruity between the two theories and proposes a significant relationship in the framework. The study’s sample size was 437, and the respondents were Penang residents in Malaysia. Partial least square (PLS) was used to statistically analyse the data using PLS–structural equation modeling approach. The measurement model was analysed, and invariance of the measurement model was established. The results indicate that perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use and security have a significance relationship toward the adoption of e-wallet. Rewards also shows significant effect on perceived ease of use and on security toward adoption of e-wallet. Recently, area of e-wallet adoption has been given a lot of attention in academic literature. This study addresses this area and is greatly attractive to many users targeting the digital consumer market. The results of the study can form a foundation for creating the business strategy of this product category and assessing its demand in digital business.