Examining Retailing Sustainability in the QR Code-Enabled Mobile Payments Context During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Examining Retailing Sustainability in the QR Code-Enabled Mobile Payments Context During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Hawazen Alamoudi
DOI: 10.4018/IJCRMM.289210
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Abstract

The COVID-19 has influenced customers' purchasing behavior, especially the acceptability of mobile payments based on quick response (QR) codes. Sustainability is key for retail to thrive. In this context, customer acceptance of QR code–enabled m-payments needs further improvement. This study examines the critical antecedents affecting QR code–enabled m-payments acceptance intention, with the aim of determining why customers must accept QR codes. The Mobile Technology Acceptance Model was modified, as we examined ease of use, usefulness, transaction convenience, transaction speed, attitudes, optimism, and personal innovativeness to investigate customers’ adoption of mobile shopping in grocery stores using questionnaire survey data of 351 respondents. Most constructs in the model influence shoppers’ intentions for accepting QR code–enabled m-payments. Consumers are more likely to use mobile shopping channels if the system is simple and easy to use. A validated model would be an invaluable guide for researchers during the creation and improvement of QR code–enabled m-payments studies.
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Introduction

The Build Back Better strategy and the effect of the “new normal” has greatly influenced today's customers' purchasing behavior as well as retailing. This necessitates adoption of a good strategy to accomplish Goal 12 of the sustainable development goals—sustainable consumption and production—to sustainably cover the needs of firms and customers. A sustainably produced product or service will meet fundamental needs while minimizing consumption to avoid compromising the future needs of future generations, while keeping the emissions of waste and pollutants to a minimum (UN, 2030). Nowadays, food consumption tends to be a primary requirement for people globally; therefore, retailers must meet consumers' demands with great care. To link customer demands with production, technology may be used to simplify buying procedures, which can help manage shopping habits and consumption. Customers prefer to shop at their grocery store, utilizing technologies as they desire simplicity and convenience when they shop (Nielsen, 2018). Therefore, there are several technological avenues to swiftly and securely complete their shopping (Walker, 2018). For example, Tesco's South Korean subsidiary, Home Plus, established virtual stores around subway stops. The layout of these virtual storefronts is identical to that of a physical store. Customers may scan a quick response (QR) code to order items, which would subsequently be dispatched within hours. Furthermore, there is a significant possibility that growth in technological models, which also integrate smartphones, will provide the best individualized internet shopping experience in the future (Walker, 2018). Considering the rising relevance of retail, a number of retailers have begun selling their goods on various platforms (Zhang et al., 2010). In Saudi Arabia, particularly, the Saudi Press Agency, under the Ministry of Commerce and Investment, has approved the electronic service “Your QR Code,” which is anticipated to boost the credibility of commercial enterprises by providing information about the commercial register and associated government agencies. However, the usage of QR code continues to be limited. Recently, Saudi Arabia's cabinet announced licenses for two digital banks; Saudi Telecom's STC Pay business will transform into a digital bank with a capital of 2.5 billion Riyals ($666.7 million). One possible explanation for this decision could be the government’s initiatives to move towards a cashless society. Across the Gulf countries, digital payments and banking are currently growing in popularity (Somro, 2019). As a result of the growth of digital technologies and web-based businesses, diverse industries have launched online platforms on the retail market to round out their online store/in-store investment portfolio. The gradual but rapid shift to mobile phones has re-engineered consumers’ interaction with several aspects of daily life, thereby opening up new market potential in a variety of industries (Chao et al., 2013). Both these goals (Goal 12 of SDG and Saudi Vision 2030) indicate the necessity of elucidating the drivers of QR code m-instalment collection as the community strives to shift to a payment economy. The Saudi Central Bank has authorized High-tech Payment Systems, a payments technology and logistics company, to provide the QR code–based payment mechanism (SAMA)(Fintech future:written by Alex Hamilton 6th March 2020). Besides recognizing different payment structures, the system can also store information in a static QR code, which could be used for various exchanges, or in a special QR code for preparing instalments. Despite the many focal points of m-shopping, in Saudi Arabia, its usage remains poor, coupled with a lack of clarity among Saudi buyers regarding this channel. This research explores the variables that affect customer intentions to accept QR code–enabled m-payments. Some studies predict the acceptance of QR code–enabled m-payments, but there is no solid understanding of the factors that influence their intentions in the context of a developing economy, such as Saudi Arabia; therefore, the Mobile Technology Acceptance Model (MTAM) has been applied in this study. This study also involved a survey of m-payments literature from the perspective of developing nations, as well as a testing of the robustness of the MTAM model, as it only involves two constructs. Despite there being considerable potential for m-payment to disrupt several sectors (e.g., Retailing, Banking, Utilities, Transportation, Consumer electronics, etc.), there is an undiscovered potential for its future applications in Saudi Arabia, due to low usage (Alqahtani et al., 2014). To promote adoption of new technology in Saudi Arabia’s banking sector, several studies were conducted in the context of banking intentions of Gulf consumers (Alqahtani, Al‐Badi, & Mayhew, 2014; Halaweh & Al Qaisi, 2016; Manochehri & AlHinai, 2008; Musa, Khan, & AlShare, 2015; Rouibah, 2007, 2009; Sharma, Sharma, & Dwivedi, 2019). The topic of m-payments was the most researched topic among these studies (Alkhowaiter, 2021). Generally, literature review provides knowledge that guide different stakeholders, such as governmental entities and corporate executives. In addition, past investigations which investigated m-payment were mostly drawn closer from a general point of view. This research focuses on QR code–enabled m-payments due to its low prevalence in Saudi Arabia. Additionally, various technologies such as near-field communication (NFC), QR codes, and others have become commonplace today (de Luna et al., 2019). As service providers produce more sophisticated features, applications, and services, they must be aware of the factors influencing consumer intentions, so they can lead m-shopping deployment strategies, marketing campaigns, and information dissemination. This results in favorable linkages between service providers and customers in an m-shopping environment.

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