The Interplay of Personality and Technology Acceptance: A TAM Perspective on e-Wallet Adoption

Abstract

The rapid expansion of digital payment systems has transformed financial transactions globally, with e-wallets emerging as a critical component of the digital economy. Understanding user adoption behaviour has become essential not only for the financial institutions but also for technology providers to design effective digital payment solutions. However, existing literature lacks comprehensive examination of how individual personality traits influence the traditional technology acceptance model (TAM), specifically in the context of e-wallets. This study integrates TAM with selected Big Five personality traits to examine their moderating effect on e-wallet adoption intentions. The present study employed a survey-based approach collecting data from 186 respondents and analysed the relationship using structural equation modelling through SmartPLS 4, applying the consistent PLS approach for model validation. Results demonstrate the perceived usefulness and attitude significantly influence adoption intention, while perceived ease of use shows no significant impact. Further, agreeableness and extraversion significantly moderated the relationship between attitude and intention to use, revealing a crucial role played by personality traits in adoption decisions. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of technology adoption behaviour and provides practical insights for fintech developers and marketers to tailor solutions based on user personality profiles in emerging markets like India.