The Intermediary Effects of Perceived Ease of Use, Usefulness, Trust, and Attitude in the Adoption of Cashless Transactions: An Empirical Investigation

Purpose: Intermediaries are crucial in determining individuals’ acceptance of cashless transactions (CLT). However, currently, there is a lack of clear evidence regarding the extent to which intermediaries influence individuals’ adoption of CLT. Hence, this study investigates intermediaries’ role of perceived – usefulness, ease of use, trust and attitude towards adopting CLT. Methodology: The survey was carried out by the researchers in Hyderabad, India, among 455 participants from all six zones. Subsequently, the researchers used the PLS-SEM approach to evaluate the relationship between the various factors under investigation, using the data obtained from the participants. Findings: The study’s findings indicate that combining all 13 independent variables can account for 68.8% of the variation in the dependent variable, which is the intention to adopt CLT. Personal innovativeness and self-efficacy indirectly influence users’ behavioural intentions towards adopting CLT through perceived ease of use and usefulness rather than a direct pathway. Furthermore, perceived usefulness, ease of use, and trust are significant mediators for the factors shaping users’ intentions to adopt CLT. Originality/Value: This research formulated eighteen significant mediator hypotheses based on logical reasoning supported by pertinent literature using a comprehensive research framework. Among these eighteen hypotheses, only five have been examined in previous literature, while the remaining thirteen hypotheses are explored, and their results are uncovered for the first time in this study. As a result, this research provides additional insights into individuals’ acceptance of CLT, offering valuable guidance for policymakers and bankers in developing effective strategies to promote the adoption of CLT.