FROM CASH TO CLICKS: EXPLORING PREDICTORS OF DIGITAL PAYMENT ADOPTION

Aims: This study aimed to determine the influence of digital payments on consumers. Study design: Using a descriptive-correlation research design, the study determined the factors that influence the level of adoption of digital payment methods (DPM) among employees of an ABC establishment. Methodology: The study used accessible population sampling to gather the data of the 103 participants comprising both younger employees and those above 43 years old, with a large majority among them with a salary range of ten to twenty thousand. Questionnaires modeled by Kumaga, D. (2011), Barkhordari et al., (2017), Ciptarianto, A., and Anggoro, Y. (2022), and Raon, De Leon, and Dui (2021) were used to determine the profile in the study. Descriptive statistics such as means, percentages, and standard deviations were used to organize the data on the participants’ demographics, level of awareness of digital payment methods, the extent of support infrastructure, and the consumers' level of adoption among the employees. Regression Analysis was employed to ascertain the significant influence of the employees' level of awareness of digital payment methods and the support infrastructure on their level of adoption. Results: Findings show that the participants demonstrated monthly utilization of digital payment methods and that they were also highly aware of DPM. They further reported a high level of adoption of digital payment methods and high infrastructure support in terms of customer service and technology support. The study likewise reveals that there was no variation in the participants' level of adoption of digital payment methods considering their age, income, and frequency of use of digital payment methods. Moreover, findings further disclose that support infrastructure best predicts the employee’s adoption of digital payment methods. The study emphasizes the necessity of further empirical research to promote the adoption of digital payment methods in public markets, sari-sari stores, tricycle drivers, and vendors by implementing inclusive strategies and user-friendly digital payment experiences. Conclusion: The employees’ reported experience reflected substantial support in terms of customer service and technical assistance, implying positive engagement and guidance in navigating these digital payment avenues which may have contributed to their high level of adoption of digital payment methods. Moreover, the presence of support infrastructure is an important variable in the adoption of digital payment methods. A good support infrastructure, including reliable technology, secure payment gateways, and widespread acceptance by businesses, contributes to the social acceptability of digital payment methods. The presence of reliable and accessible customer service and technical support can enhance individuals' trust and confidence in digital payment methods, contributing to their level of acceptability.