Adoption of QRIS digital payment in Indonesia and Malaysia: A technology acceptance and knowledge perspective

Abstract

This study explores the adoption of QR-based digital payment systems, focusing on the Quick Response Code Indonesian Standard (QRIS), through the integration of the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT), with Cultural Intelligence (CI) as a mediating construct. Based on survey data from 400 users in Indonesia and Malaysia, analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling with Partial Least Squares (SEM-PLS), the findings show that Perceived Ease of Use and Perceived Usefulness significantly influence both CI and the intention to use QRIS. In contrast, Trust plays a comparatively weaker role. Framed within the Mode 2 Knowledge Production paradigm, QRIS is conceptualized as a dynamic socio-technical infrastructure shaped by user experience, social learning, and cultural adaptation. This study contributes to innovation adoption theory and offers practical guidance for advancing digital financial inclusion in multicultural Southeast Asian contexts.