Mobile fintech, digital financial inclusion, and gender gap at the bottom of the pyramid: An extension of mobile technology acceptance model

Abstract

This study aims to predict the determinants of mobile fintech apps and digital financial inclusion from the perspective of the Bottom of the Pyramid (BOP) segment in Indonesia. To address the complexities of BOP users, this paper theoretically grounded on Mobile Technology Acceptance Model (MTAM) (i.e. mobile usefulness (MU), mobile ease of use (MEU)) along with its relevant extension including personal factor (digital financial literacy (DFL)), financial risk factor (mobile perceived financial cost (MPFC)), and consequent factors (i.e. use behavior (UB), and digital financial inclusion (DFI)). The moderating impact of gender was also tested. A survey instrument that was self-administered and comprised measurement items adapted from prior research was utilized to gather data from 200 mobile fintech BOP users residing in Makassar, South Sulawesi. According to the results of the PLS-SEM test, seven hypotheses were accepted, while two were rejected. In addition, it was confirmed that men play a more prominent role than women in strengthening mobile fintech use and digital financial inclusion.