Description of Invention
The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 has profoundly altered our behavior toward smartphones, particularly in adopting digital payments such as QR code payments in Malaysia. However, rural areas still lag behind in this adoption due to barriers such as poor internet connectivity, a preference for cash and low digital financial literacy. This study aims to investigate the determinants of QR code payment adoption in rural areas of Malaysia. Using the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) framework, the study focuses on five variables: perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, perceived risk, social influence, and government support. A quantitative approach will be employed through data collection using a survey questionnaire with rural residents in Jengka, Pahang. These findings are crucial for Malaysia’s goal of 400 electronic transactions per capita by 2026 and a cashless society by 2030. The study will provide insights to bridge the digital divide, ensure rural communities are included in the cashless shift, and support policy and community initiatives for digital inclusion and cybersecurity.