Building a research model for consumers’ perception of electronic payment in a post COVID-19 environment

The current COVID-19 pandemic has amplified the urgency of utilizing electronic payment (e-payment) to keep financial systems functioning and keep people safe during this time of social distancing, reduction in productivity, trade disruption, raising of e-commerce platforms and online adjustments. E-payment particularly through the use of mobile money-permit remote payments and transactions, enabling the social distancing recommended to reduce contagion. Through e-payments, consumers can transfer funds, pay bills and pay for goods and services from their home, or in a market or store setting, with limited physical contact. Hence, this research attempts to build framework by extending the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) with culture and perceived security into the model, in order to determine the significance factors that influence acceptance of e-payment technology. Through this model, researchers can have a more accurate explanation of the consumer behavior not only in terms of acceptance of the technology, but other factors considered influential on consumers such as culture and perceived security in the origin country. This model will be used to examine consumer’s behaviour in Indonesia and Malaysia.