Unveiling drivers and inhibitors in cashless readiness adoption: Evidence from Batam, Indonesia

Cashless readiness reflects a society's preparedness to adopt digital payments over cash transactions. This study investigates key factors influencing cashless adoption in Batam, Indonesia, using the Technology Readiness Index 2.0 and the Technology Acceptance Model. A quantitative survey was conducted with 400 valid responses. Statistical analysis reveals that ease of use did not significantly impact readiness. However, usefulness, optimism, innovativeness, and lack of awareness significantly affected readiness. Additionally, readiness strongly influenced adoption. These findings suggest that addressing awareness barriers while promoting innovation and optimism can enhance cashless adoption. Policymakers should prioritize financial education programs, and service providers should improve accessibility and user experience to encourage digital payment use.