How Does the Need for Uniqueness Affect Facial Recognition Payment Switch Intention? A Status Quo Bias Perspective

Abstract

Despite the growing research interest in facial recognition payment (FRP), the factors that influence the intention to switch to FRP have received limited attention. Grounded in status quo bias theory, this study explores predictors of users’ intention to switch from QR code payment to FRP through an online survey. The empirical findings based on 1,244 responses indicate that the need for uniqueness negatively affects embarrassment, privacy concern, and inertia and positively affects switch intention. Further, embarrassment and privacy concern are both positively related to inertia and negatively related to switch intention, and inertia significantly reduces switch intention. Through multi-group analysis, this study also finds that users with experience using services enabled by facial recognition technology are more willing to switch to FRP. This study enriches the FRP literature by highlighting the roles of inertia and the need for uniqueness and provides several implications for FRP practitioners.