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The Role of Mobile Payment Technology in Sustainable and Human-Centric Development: Evidence from the Post-Demonetization Period in India

Author

Listed:
  • Abhipsa Pal

    (Indian Institute of Management Bangalore)

  • Rahul De’

    (Indian Institute of Management Bangalore)

  • Tejaswini Herath

    (Brock University)

Abstract

Mobile payment technology has aided in socio-economic development through financial inclusion and protective security during crises. However, there is a gap in understanding whether this technology has the potential for sustainable development that encompasses individual emancipation and environmental growth beyond social and economic change. To evaluate mobile payments role in sustainable human-centric development, we develop a framework based on the theories by two influential development economists—Schumacher and Sen (Schumacher 2011; Sen 2001). The framework includes features like the low-cost technology, easy implementation and operability, usefulness to local people, and scope for creative appropriation. We conducted an in-depth field study through interviews with merchants and consumers to evaluate the framework. We triangulate our findings with publicly available secondary survey data. Our findings indicate that along with the features like low-cost, easy installation and operability, users reported that the mobile payment technology, unlike cash transactions, can also afford creative uses such as reflection on past expenses. The paper contributes to the field of ICT4D with the framework that can be used by future studies. The investigation reveals developmental implications towards the need for greater inclusion of local small-scale vendors.

Suggested Citation

  • Abhipsa Pal & Rahul De’ & Tejaswini Herath, 2020. "The Role of Mobile Payment Technology in Sustainable and Human-Centric Development: Evidence from the Post-Demonetization Period in India," Information Systems Frontiers, Springer, vol. 22(3), pages 607-631, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:infosf:v:22:y:2020:i:3:d:10.1007_s10796-020-09982-7
    DOI: 10.1007/s10796-020-09982-7
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Olayinka David-West & Oluwasola Oni & Folajimi Ashiru, 2022. "Diffusion of Innovations: Mobile Money Utility and Financial Inclusion in Nigeria. Insights from Agents and Unbanked Poor End Users," Information Systems Frontiers, Springer, vol. 24(6), pages 1753-1773, December.
    2. Simplice A. Asongu & Sara le Roux, 2023. "The role of mobile money innovations in the effect of inequality on poverty and severity of poverty in Sub-Saharan Africa," Working Papers 23/046, European Xtramile Centre of African Studies (EXCAS).
    3. Abhipsa Pal & Tejaswini Herath & Rahul De’ & H. Raghav Rao, 2021. "Is the Convenience Worth the Risk? An Investigation of Mobile Payment Usage," Information Systems Frontiers, Springer, vol. 23(4), pages 941-961, August.
    4. Muhammad Tanveer & Harsandaldeep Kaur & George Thomas & Haider Mahmood & Mandakini Paruthi & Zhang Yu, 2021. "Mobile Phone Buying Decisions among Young Adults: An Empirical Study of Influencing Factors," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(19), pages 1-18, September.
    5. Priya Seetharaman & Saji K. Mathew & Maung K. Sein & Ravindra Babu Tallamraju, 2020. "Being (more) Human in a Digitized World," Information Systems Frontiers, Springer, vol. 22(3), pages 529-532, June.
    6. Petr Hajek & Mohammad Zoynul Abedin & Uthayasankar Sivarajah, 2023. "Fraud Detection in Mobile Payment Systems using an XGBoost-based Framework," Information Systems Frontiers, Springer, vol. 25(5), pages 1985-2003, October.
    7. Kayenaat Bahl & Ravi Kiran & Anupam Sharma, 2022. "Impact of Drivers of Change (Digitalization, Demonetization, and Consolidation of Banks) With Mediating Role of Nature of Training and Job Enrichment on the Banking Performance," SAGE Open, , vol. 12(2), pages 21582440221, May.
    8. Priya Seetharaman & Saji K. Mathew & Maung K. Sein & Ravindra Babu Tallamraju, 0. "Being (more) Human in a Digitized World," Information Systems Frontiers, Springer, vol. 0, pages 1-4.

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