Swipe now, sigh about the cost later: understanding the effects of BNPL services on the overall well-being of Indian customers

This study’s significance lies in its exploration of how Blockchain-enabled banking positively impacts customers’ financial well-being, offering valuable insights for financial institutions, policymakers, and academics, shedding light on the potential of Blockchain technology to enhance financial transparency and well-being in the banking sector. Convenience sampling was employed in our study, with a sample size of 273 banking customers, to investigate their perceptions and experiences related to blockchain technology in the banking sector. The study employs a Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) approach to analyze the data and examine the direct and indirect relationships among key variables: Blockchain features (efficiency, security, and regulatory compliance), perceived information transparency, and perceived financial well-being. The findings reveal that Blockchain features significantly contribute to customers’ perceived financial well-being. Additionally, the study highlights that perceived information transparency mediates the relationship between these features and customers’ perceived financial well-being. These results emphasize the importance of Blockchain technology in enhancing financial well-being through increased information transparency. The practical implications of this study are far-reaching. Financial institutions can leverage Blockchain technology to enhance customers’ financial transparency and well-being. Policymakers may consider regulatory frameworks that encourage the adoption of Blockchain in the banking sector. Academics can explore related factors such as customer trust and knowledge for further insights. Building on the current research, future studies should explore additional factors that may influence the relationship between Blockchain-enabled banking, information transparency, and customers’ financial well-being. Further investigations could consider factors such as customer knowledge, trust, and socio-economic characteristics.

The study explores the effect of Digital Financial Literacy (DFL) on Financial Well-Being (FWB) among young adults. It also investigates the moderating role of financial self-efficacy (FSE) between DFL and FWB. It is a quantitative study based on a questionnaire survey. Data was collected from digitally literate young adults aged 18-26 through an online questionnaire. The questionnaire has three constructs: DFL, FWB, and FSE. The sample size was determined according to itemized sampling criteria. The data was analyzed and the hypotheses were tested through SPSS and PLS-SEM (Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling). The findings showed that DFL and financial self-efficacy have a significant positive direct effect on financial well-being. The proposed moderating hypothesis was not accepted and indicates financial self-efficacy did not moderate the relationship between DFL and financial well-being. It noted that a greater FSE strengthens the positive relationship between DFL and FWB, on the other hand, a lower FSE may lessen the positive effect. Financial organizations, such as banks and fintech organizations, can organize seminars and campaigns to instruct young adults on the proper use of digital financial platforms. Enhancing young adults' DFL and FSE leads to increased financial independence, stability, and well-being to make wise financial decisions while reducing their financial stress. It offers novel insights into the relationship between young adults' financial well-being and their level of financial selfefficacy and DFL.

This study aims to examine and analyze the effect of income on financial well-being, with financial literacy serving as a mediating variable. A quantitative research approach was employed, with the object of study being the community of Poncokusumo Tourism Village. The sample size was determined using a saturated sampling technique, involving 154 respondents from the village community. Data were collected through questionnaires and analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The findings reveal that: (i) income has a significant effect on financial well-being, (ii) financial literacy significantly influences financial well-being, (iii) income positively affects financial literacy, and (iv) financial literacy mediates the relationship between income and financial well-being. Income plays a crucial role as it significantly enhances individuals' quality of life by enabling them to meet daily needs, improve living standards, and plan for future financial security. Furthermore, stable income contributes to greater economic resilience among families and fosters community development. Respondents reported a general satisfaction with their monthly income, which in turn facilitates better financial management and supports the achievement of both short-term and long-term financial goals. This study contributes to the literature by suggesting that village government institutions, non-governmental organizations, and other stakeholders should take initiatives to provide financial literacy training. Future research is encouraged to incorporate additional variables to deepen the understanding of factors influencing financial well-being.

This study aims to examine the determinants of financial inclusion and investigate its influence on the financial well-being of marginalized street vendors in Chitwan, utilizing social capital theory as a theoretical framework. The research is based on quantitative analysis, with data collected from 205 respondents using structured questionnaires distributed through offline and online channels. Convenience sampling was employed to gather data. The study used descriptive and inferential statistical methods and analyzed the data using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). Among the five dimensions of financial inclusion determinants, financial literacy, availability, usage, and affordability significantly influenced financial inclusion, whereas accessibility did not have a significant impact. The findings further revealed that financial inclusion significantly impacts the financial well-being of marginalized street vendors in Chitwan. The study is limited to marginalized street vendors in Chitwan and may not be generalizable to other contexts or populations. Future research should explore the interrelationships between individual financial inclusion and financial well-being in broader or comparative settings for a comprehensive understanding of this relationship. The study provides valuable insights for policymakers, financial institutions, and development organizations aiming to enhance financial inclusion and promote financial well-being among marginalized communities. It highlights the need for targeted interventions in financial literacy, service availability, usage, and affordability.

Cultural values are foundational elements that shape societal structures, influencing traditions, language, beliefs, norms, arts, literature, and laws. These values play a critical role in fostering social inclusion, cohesion, and unity among individuals and groups. The development of tolerance and solidarity contributes to social harmony, economic progress, and overall well- being. For caregivers of individuals with autism, effective financial management is essential to maintaining their personal and familial well-being. Given this context, cultural perspectives are vital for understanding and predicting financial behaviour. However, there remains a notable gap in autism-related research, particularly in developing countries with low- to middle-income and non-Western cultural settings. This study aims to examine the influence of societal cultural dimensions, based on Hofstede’s framework, on the financial behaviour and well-being of autism caregivers. A cross- sectional design was employed, using purposive sampling to survey 129 autism caregivers in Selangor, Malaysia. The research model was analysed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) with bootstrapping. The results indicate that the cultural dimensions of Individualism–Collectivism and Uncertainty Avoidance significantly influence financial behaviour. Additionally, financial behaviour was found to have a significant effect on financial well-being (p = 0.000). These findings underscore the growing importance of cross-cultural perspectives in financial research and highlight the need for culturally informed strategies to support autism caregivers.

The topic of financial wellbeing is a current concern within the realm of personal and household finance. This study aims to examine the influence of cognitive factors, specifically financial literacy, mental budgeting, and self-control, on subjective financial wellbeing. While there exist multiple determinants of financial wellbeing, this research focuses on these particular cognitive factors. The present study aims to examine the mediating role of investment decision-making behavior in the association between cognitive factors and financial well-being. The study employed Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) to analyze the data collected from a sample of 449 Chinese university students, with the aim of assessing the empirical associations. The results indicate that financial literacy, mental budgeting, and self-control exert a favorable and noteworthy influence on an individual's financial well-being. The results indicate that individuals with a greater degree of financial literacy are more prone to achieving superior financial well-being. Moreover, individuals who practice mental budgeting, a technique that entails mentally classifying and monitoring their expenditures, demonstrate elevated levels of financial well-being. Likewise, the exercise of self-regulation is identified as a pivotal element that impacts an individual's financial wellbeing. The findings indicate that there is evidence to support the mediator, investment decision-making behavior. This mediator partially mediates the association between the independent variables, namely financial literacy, mental budgeting, and self-control, and financial well-being. The results suggest that individuals with elevated levels of financial literacy, proficient mental budgeting skills, and self-regulatory abilities are inclined towards demonstrating favorable investment decision-making conduct. Consequently, this contributes to their general financial welfare. In general, the study's theoretical implications augment the current knowledge repository, while its practical implications provide feasible perspectives for policymakers, financial institutions, and individuals to foster financial wellness and enhance financial results.

The global issue of Financial Well-Being (FWB) among university students remains a contentious topic of discussion and growing concern. However, inconclusive findings necessitate a comprehensive understanding of potential antecedents to address this pressing issue. This study utilises psychological theories to examine the factors influencing FWB among university students, offering current insights and directions for future research. Data were collected from 299 Malaysian university students through an online survey and analysed using Partial Least Square-Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) via SmartPLS 4.0. The findings reveal that Digital Financial Literacy (DFL), financial confidence, and financial attitude significantly influence financial behaviour. In contrast, FWB is influenced by financial confidence and financial behaviour but not by DFL and financial attitude. Furthermore, financial behaviour successfully mediates the relationships between (i) DFL and FWB, (ii) financial confidence and FWB, and (iii) financial attitude and FWB. This study contributes to the growing literature on psychological theories and FWB, providing valuable insights for government, its agencies, regulators, and educational institutions. It highlights the need to enhance financial education curricula and awareness campaigns to foster positive financial habits and improve students’ FWB.

Financial literacy empowers individuals to make better financial decisions to stabilize their financial well-being while positively contributing to the economy. This study examined the link between financial literacy and financial well-being and added the mediating effect of financial inclusion among Zimbabwean farmers in three major districts in two provinces. This study utilized a questionnaire survey to retrieve answers from 526 Zimbabwean farmers recruited via convenience sampling. The partial least squares-structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) was used to examine the information. The study’s outcome revealed that financial inclusion and literacy significantly impact farmers’ financial well-being. The study showed that financial inclusion plays a complementary mediating role in the connection between financial literacy and financial well-being. Our study suggests that financial literacy policies be implemented alongside programs and strategies to promote inclusive finance to enhance farmers’ financial well-being and sustainability. In addition, financial institutions should base their services on strengthening financial education programs to enhance the financial behaviors of farmers. The novelty of our manuscript lies in using PLS-SEM approach as a method, the participants being farmers, a population with limited literature in finance. Also, the study is the first to assess the mediating role of financial inclusion on the financial well-being of Zimbabwean farmers.

This study explores how financial literacy affects students’ financial well-being by looking at the psychological factors that play a role—specifically self-control, mental budgeting, and mental accounting—as mediating variables. The research aims to better understand how cognitive and psychological resources help young people achieve financial well-being in a university setting. Using a quantitative, survey-based approach, the study gathered data from 781 students across four Indonesian cities. The data were analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) to examine both the direct and indirect relationships between the variables. The results show that financial literacy has a significant impact on financial well-being, both directly and indirectly, through the influence of self-control, mental budgeting, and mental accounting. Based on the Conservation of Resources Theory, financial literacy serves as a cognitive resource that helps students protect and manage their financial assets more effectively. The findings suggest that universities and policymakers should develop financial literacy programs that also address psychological aspects such as self-control and budgeting habits. Integrating these elements can help students feel more financially secure and maintain better life balance. Overall, this study offers both theoretical and practical insights by connecting financial literacy with the management of psychological resources, and it points to new directions for developing psychology-based financial education to enhance young people’s financial well-being.

Financial literacy plays a crucial role in individuals' ability to manage their finances, while financial inclusion reflects the extent to which individuals can access and use formal financial services. In the context of fishermen, both factors are essential to understanding their financial well-being. This research aims to explore the impact of financial literacy on financial well-being and financial inclusion among fishermen, as well as to examine the relationship between financial inclusion and financial well-being. A quantitative approach was used, employing a survey method with fishermen as the respondents. Data was gathered through a structured questionnaire and analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The research found that financial literacy significantly and positively influences fishermen’s financial well-being. Additionally, financial literacy was positively associated with financial inclusion, indicating that greater financial literacy increases the likelihood of accessing and using formal financial services. However, an interesting finding was that financial inclusion negatively affects financial well-being, suggesting that access to financial services alone does not necessarily lead to improved financial outcomes without proper financial management skills. The results highlight the importance of enhancing financial literacy to improve financial outcomes for fishermen. It also suggests that promoting financial inclusion should be coupled with education on effective financial management to ensure positive impacts on financial well-being.

Purpose - This study explores the factors shaping the relationship between the intention to use and the actual using behavior of Fintech services in the context of economic fluctuation. The main aim is to shed light on the intricacies of this relationship and contribute valuable insights to the field. Design/Methodology/Approach - We selected SmartPLS 4.0 software to process the collected data and applied the Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) to assess hypotheses and relationships between potential variables. Findings - We found that the intention to use Fintech positively affects Using Fintech Behavior, which subsequently influences Financial Well-Being (FWB). Additionally, we also found the moderation effect of Financial Literacy (FL) and Resistance to Change (RC) on these relationships through Using Fintech Behavior (UFB), Financial Socialization (FS), and Intention to use Fintech (IT) impact FWB. Surprisingly, UFB does not function as a mediator in relationships involving FL, Financial Stress (FSt), and FWB. Practical implications - The findings’ results indicate that the Fintech service market in Vietnam is not yet diverse, not completely separated from communication services, and the habit of using cash still exists. In addition, despite having financial socialization, financial literacy, and intention to use Fintech, users are still not ready for innovation and the adoption of financial technology. This study suggests that Fintech service developers need to strengthen incentive policies and develop services towards geographic segmentation. Originality - The study could be considered one of the first studies in Vietnam to discuss how to enhance financial well-being at the individual level, especially in evaluating how using Fintech could affect financial well-being. It concludes that Financial Literacy and Financial Socialization are two noticeable factors that might impact Financial Well-being, and Using Fintech is a key to thriving Financial Well-being. Keywords Financial literacy, financial socialization, financial stress, financial well-being.

The food and beverage industry in Vietnam has developed dramatically, resulting in a highly competitive market. To win the competition, the restaurant managers not only strive to increase customer satisfaction but also create customers’ positive electronic Word-Of-Mouth (eWOM). This study aims to investigate the relationship between customer satisfaction, customer trust, customer loyalty, and eWOM. The quantitative method was implemented to examine the hypotheses in the research model. Data were collected from Ho Chi Minh City respondents using a convenient sampling method. Self-administrated questionnaires were delivered via the Internet for data collection. After data screening, 299 responses were qualified for analysis. Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) analysis was employed by SmartPLS software version 3.0. The measurement model test showed that one item of customer trust has a factor loading of less than 0.7 as a result, this item was removed from the research model. The structural model evaluation revealed the highly predictive accuracy of the model as all dependent variables have R2 values above 0.5. A bootstrapping test with 5,000 subsamples also showed that customer loyalty significantly influences eWOM, but customer trust does not. Customer satisfaction directly and significantly impacts customer trust and loyalty but has little influence on eWOM. However, the relationship between customer satisfaction and eWOM is significant without the presence of customer loyalty and trust. The indirect effect test also determines the full mediation role of customer loyalty in the relationship between customer satisfaction and eWOM.

The development of stock markets is pivotal for economic growth, particularly through the mobilization of idle resources into productive investments. Despite recent reforms to enhance Uzbekistan’s capital market, public engagement remains limited. This study examines the behavioral determinants of stock market investment intention and participation among university students, employing the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) and Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The model investigates the influence of digital literacy, financial literacy, social interaction, herding behavior, overconfidence bias, risk tolerance, and financial well-being on investment intention and behavior. A survey of 369 university students was conducted to assess the proposed relationships. The results reveal that risk tolerance, overconfidence bias, and herding behavior significantly and positively affect investment intention, while digital literacy demonstrates a notable negative effect, suggesting caution in assuming technology readiness automatically translates to investment readiness. Investment intention, in turn, strongly predicts actual participation and mediates several of these effects. Conversely, financial literacy, financial well-being, and social interaction showed no significant direct or mediating influence. Additionally, differences according to gender and academic background were observed in how intention translates into behavior. The findings underscore the need for integrated financial and behavioral education to enhance market participation and contribute to policy discourse on youth financial engagement in emerging economies.

Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) in second language and education research: Guidelines using an applied example

This research examines the role of financial knowledge and self-efficacy in shaping financial well-being, with digital financial inclusion tested as a mediating factor. Survey data were collected from 407 Indonesian respondents and analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The results indicate that both financial knowledge and self-efficacy significantly influence digital financial inclusion. Digital financial inclusion, in turn, positively affects financial well-being. Self-efficacy also directly improves financial well-being, whereas financial knowledge shows no direct impact. Instead, financial knowledge indirectly contributes to financial well-being through digital financial inclusion, underscoring the mediating role of digital access. This study adds to the financial behavior literature by highlighting digital financial inclusion as a crucial channel that converts capability into improved outcomes, and by showing that self-efficacy plays a stronger role than knowledge alone. The findings suggest that policies and programs should go beyond literacy campaigns to also strengthen financial confidence and digital readiness, particularly among younger groups and vulnerable communities. The study is limited by its reliance on self-reported, cross-sectional data and its focus on the Indonesian context, which may constrain causal inference and limit the generalizability of the results.