Use of Electronic Wallets and Digital Financial Inclusion among Small Merchants in the Province of Rioja, Peru
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33595/2226-1478.17.1587Keywords:
fintech, financial inclusión, electronic wallets, mobile payments, merchantsAbstract
This study analyzes the relationship between the use of e-wallets and digital financial inclusion among small merchants.The objective of the study was to determine the relationship between the use of e-wallets and digital financial inclusion. The methodology adopted a quantitative approach, with an explanatory, non-experimental, cross-sectional design. The sample consisted of 450 small merchants in the province of Rioja, Peru, selected through non-probabilistic convenience sampling. The data collection method was a survey using a structured questionnaire with a Likert scale, which had reliability coefficients of 0.919 and 0.946, as measured by Cronbach’s alpha. The results showed that the use of e-wallets is positively, significantly, and strongly correlated with digital financial inclusion (ρ = 0.702; p < 0.001), and also demonstrated high explanatory power (R² = 0.679). It is concluded that e-wallets are an important mechanism for promoting digital financial inclusion; however, their adoption still depends on factors such as ease of use, perceived usefulness, perceived financial cost, and intention to use.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Marisol Carranza Molina, María Teresa Ríos Torres, Karito Rengifo Torres, Kendy Jhoana Calle Nuñez

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