The Mediating Role of Trust in the Relationship Between Perceived Usefulness, Perceived Ease of Use, and QR Payment Adoption Among Retail SMEs in Selangor,Malaysia

The adoption of QR payment systems has shown significant progress in enhancing financial transactions, offering opportunities to improve efficiency and expand market reach. This study investigates the factors influencing QR payment adoption among small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Selangor, Malaysia, emphasizing the mediating role of trust in the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). Specifically, the research examines the impact of Perceived Usefulness (PU) and Perceived Ease of Use (PEoU) on QR Payment Adoption (QPA), with Trust (CT) acting as a mediator. A structured online questionnaire targeting retail SMEs in Selangor was used to collect data, employing a cross-sectional research design. The analysis was conducted using SmartPLS software to assess the relationships between independent, dependent, and mediating variables. The findings reveal that both Perceived Usefulness and Perceived Ease of Use significantly influence QR Payment Adoption. Moreover, Trust was found to be a crucial mediator, enhancing the perceived security and reliability of QR payment systems. The study provides valuable insights for policymakers, banking institutions, and digital payment service developers to formulate strategies aimed at fostering the adoption of QR payment systems among SMEs. Additionally, the research contributes to the academic discourse by integrating Trust as a critical mediator within the TAM framework, addressing a significant research gap in digital payment adoption literature. This study also highlights the importance of building consumer trust to accelerate the adoption of QR payments, especially among resource-limited SMEs in Selangor. The findings underscore the need for enhanced training, awareness programs, and reliable digital infrastructure to support a seamless transition toward cashless payment systems. Further research could explore the longitudinal impact of trust and extend the scope beyond Selangor to encompass other states in Malaysia.