Understanding Customer Intention to Use Mobile Payment Services in Nanjing, China

Abstract

NOTE: THIS ARTICLE WAS PUBLISHED WITH THE INFORMING SCIENCE INSTITUTE. Aim/Purpose.............................................................................................................................................................................. This study examines the factors that influence customer intention to use mo-bile payment service in Nanjing, China. It also gains a deeper understanding and better insight of Chinese consumer behavior. Background.............................................................................................................................................................................. Mobile payments services represent a tremendously interesting paradox in the world of telecommunications. Although, they are convenient, quick and easy but there is not still enough evidence on how successful this practice is. In Nanjing, China, consumer intention to use mobile payment is still questionable and remains as a skeptical consideration. Methodology.............................................................................................................................................................................. A survey was conducted in Nanjing, China where 612 respondents were interviewed by self-administrated survey. The modified Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA) and Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) were applied in this study. Descriptive analysis, exploratory factor analysis and multiple regressions were used to accomplish the objective. Contribution.............................................................................................................................................................................. This research provides an insight to the mobile telecommunication industry, marketers, decision makers and academics on the factors that encourage consumers to use mobile payment. Findings.................................................................................................................................................................................... Four factors that influence the consumer behavioral intention were deter-mined in this study (perceived risk, perceived usefulness, subjective norm and attitude). The results of multiple regression indicate that all four variables significantly influence consumer intention to use mobile payment in Nanjing, China, however subjective norm has relatively high impact as compared to others. Recommendations for Practitioners........................................................................................................................................ In order to build a positive expression of the brand, mobile service providers are suggested to enhance the persuasion of the application. As customers provide their privacy information to register for the mobile payment services, providers should strengthen their security system. This not only shapes consumer trust but also prevent privacy leakage. Secondly, mobile payment application providers can imply policies for protecting customer rights from potential risk to increase their agreement of the application. These will lead to unexpected losses financially. Recommendation for Researchers............................................................................................................................................ It is recommended to make a comparison study between two Mobile payment platforms by examining constructs such as usefulness, ease of use, perceived risk as well as security risk, financial risk, social risk and time risk between Alipay and Wechat payment system in China. Impact on Society........................................................................................................................................................................ Various forms of mobile payment have been adopted by Chinese consumers due to convenience, speed and ease of use. Even though mobile payment does not replace physical payment cards but it has been acting as a substitute for paper-based payment method and it is driving demand and consumer usage. However, there the potential for data to leak creates some level of insecurity and skepticism for Chinese costumers. Future Research............................................................................................................................................................................ To have an in depth understanding about the consumer intention to use mobile payment, it is recommended to determine the current customers’ satisfaction level by adopting the SERQUAL model. Qualitative and quantitative research with focus group will be a good approach to get a deeper understanding on the factors that influence consumer to use mobile payment services rather than others payment methods. It is also important to get more information regarding customer satisfaction towards the mobile payment platform.