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Digital Financial Knowledge Scale (DFKS): Insights from a Developing Economy

Author

Listed:
  • Kelmara Mendes Vieira

    (Department of Administrative Sciences, Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria 97105-900, Brazil)

  • Taiane Keila Matheis

    (Graduate Program in Administration, Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria 97105-900, Brazil)

  • Eliete dos Reis Lehnhart

    (Department of Administrative Sciences, Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria 97105-900, Brazil)

  • Fernando Oliveira Tavares

    (REMIT—Research on Economics, Management and Information Technologies, Department of Economics and Management, Universidade Portucalense, 4200-027 Porto, Portugal
    Instituto Superior Miguel Torga, Largo da Cruz de Celas No. 1, 3000-132 Coimbra, Portugal)

Abstract

This work aims to create and validate the digital financial knowledge scale (DFKS). Three studies were carried out, including a focus group, expert validation, pre-testing, and the application of item response theory. From these procedures, two versions of the scale were constructed and validated. An evaluation and classification methodology was proposed. Two versions for measuring digital financial knowledge are presented. The long version is composed of 40 items and the short version has 26 items. Applying the proposed methodology, it is possible to classify the level of digital financial knowledge as low, intermediate, or high. The DFKS can be useful for both financial system agents and governments and researchers, who can use it in different contexts. In the banking sector, identifying the level of digital financial knowledge can reduce risks, as losses suffered by clients due to an uninformed adoption of digital banking services break the relationship of trust and can lead to lower financial inclusion.

Suggested Citation

  • Kelmara Mendes Vieira & Taiane Keila Matheis & Eliete dos Reis Lehnhart & Fernando Oliveira Tavares, 2024. "Digital Financial Knowledge Scale (DFKS): Insights from a Developing Economy," IJFS, MDPI, vol. 12(4), pages 1-19, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijfss:v:12:y:2024:i:4:p:120-:d:1535216
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Ammari, Aymen & Allodi, Evita & Salerno, Dario & Stella, Gian Paolo, 2023. "An asymmetrical approach to understanding consumer characteristics in banking trust during the COVID-19 pandemic in Italy," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 64(C).
    2. Ferilli, Greta Benedetta & Palmieri, Egidio & Miani, Stefano & Stefanelli, Valeria, 2024. "The impact of FinTech innovation on digital financial literacy in Europe: Insights from the banking industry," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 69(C).
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