Digital Payment Behaviour among Generation Z: A Conceptual Study of QR Payment Usage among Malaysian University Students

QR payment is now one of the most visible forms of digital payment in Malaysia, especially with the expansion of DuitNow QR and the growing adoption of cashless transactions in retail, food services, campus settings, and peer-to-peer payment. Nevertheless, the mere availability of QR payment infrastructure at a rapid pace does not automatically explain the behavioural pattern of Generation Z users. Malaysian university students are generally familiar with smartphones, mobile banking and e-wallet applications but their QR payment behaviour can still be influenced by perceived usefulness, ease of use, peer influence, facilitating conditions, habit, perceived security, trust, promotional value and digital payment literacy. Drawing on the latest technology adoption literature, UTAUT-based perspectives and digital payment studies, this conceptual paper develops an integrated framework to explain QR payment usage among Malaysian university students. The proposed framework conceptualizes behavioural intention as the primary mechanism through which psychological, social, technological and security-related factors are associated with QR payment usage behaviour. Trust is also proposed as a key relational driver that reinforces users’ willingness to rely on QR payment systems, and digital payment literacy is suggested as an important individual capability that can support a safer and a more sustainable usage. The paper conceptually extends the discussion of digital payment adoption from the general e-wallet acceptance to the QR-specific usage behaviour of Gen Z students in Malaysia. It also has practical implications for universities, payment providers, banks, regulators and merchants who want to promote responsible and sustained use of QR payments among young consumers.

QR payment; DuitNow QR; digital payment behaviour; Generation Z; Malaysian university students; UTAUT2; trust; perceived security

1. Abdillih, M. A. A. M., & Nawang, W. R. W. (2024). Intention to Use E-Wallet Application Among University Students. The European Proceedings of Social & Behavioural Sciences, 133. https://doi.org/10.15405/epsbs.2024.05.15 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

2. Ahn, S. Y., & Nam, Y. (2022). Does mobile payment use lead to overspending? The moderating role of financial knowledge. Computers in Human Behavior, 134, 107319. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2022.107319 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

3. Al-Qudah, A. A., Al-Okaily, M., Shiyyab, F. S., Taha, A. A. D., Almajali, D. A., Masa’deh, R., & Warrad, L. H. (2024). Determinants of digital payment adoption among Generation Z: An empirical study. Journal of Risk and Financial Management, 17(11), 521. https://doi.org/10.3390/jrfm17110521 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

4. Al-Sharafi, M. A., Al-Qaysi, N., Iahad, N. A., & Al-Emran, M. (2022). Evaluating the sustainable use of mobile payment contactless technologies within and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic using a hybrid SEM-ANN approach. International Journal of Bank Marketing, 40(5), 1071–1095. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJBM-07-2021-0291 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

5. Alam, S. S., Ahmed, S., Kokash, H. A., Mahmud, M. S., & Sharnali, S. Z. (2024). Utility and hedonic perception—Customers’ intention towards using of QR codes in mobile payment of Generation Y and Generation Z. Electronic Commerce Research and Applications, 65, 101389. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.elerap.2024.101389 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

6. Bank Negara Malaysia. (2022). Financial Sector Blueprint 2022–2026. https://www.bnm.gov.my/publications/fsb3 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

7. Bank Negara Malaysia. (2026). Promoting safe and efficient payment and remittance services. In Annual Report 2025. https://www.bnm.gov.my/publications/ar2025/ch1e [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

8. Belmonte, Z. J. A., Prasetyo, Y. T., Cahigas, M. M. L., Nadlifatin, R., & Gumasing, M. J. J. (2024). Factors influencing the intention to use e-wallet among Generation Z and millennials in the Philippines: An extended technology acceptance model approach. Acta Psychologica, 250, 104526. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actpsy.2024.104526 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

9. Blut, M., Chong, A. Y. L., Tsigna, Z., & Venkatesh, V. (2022). Meta-analysis of the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology: Challenging its validity and charting a research agenda in the red ocean. Journal of the Association for Information Systems, 23(1), 13–95. https://doi.org/10.17705/1jais.00719 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

10. Cao, T. (2021). The study of factors on the small and medium enterprises’ adoption of mobile payment: Implications for the COVID-19 era. Frontiers in Public Health, 9, 646592. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2021.646592 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

11. Cao, Y., Tham, J., Azam, S. M. F., & Khatibi, A. (2021). The factors influencing college students’ acceptance of mobile payment in Malaysia. European Journal of Management and Marketing Studies, 7(1). https://doi.org/10.46827/ejmms.v7i1.1192 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

12. Chang, V., Chen, W., Xu, Q., & Xiong, C. (2021). Towards the Customers’ Intention to Use QR Codes in Mobile Payments. Journal of Global Information Management, 29(6), 1–21. https://doi.org/10.4018/jgim.20211101.oa37 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

13. Chaw, L. Y., Tang, C. M., & Ali, M. (2024). Driving factors behind mobile payment app users’ continuance intention: Insights for service providers in Malaysia. Journal of Systems and Information Technology, 26(2), 212–233. https://doi.org/10.1108/JSIT-03-2023-0043 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

14. Che Nawi, N., Al Mamun, A., Hayat, N., & Seduram, L. (2022). Promoting sustainable financial services through the adoption of eWallet among Malaysian working adults. SAGE Open, 12(1). https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440211071107 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

15. Edeh, F. O., Aryani, D. N., Subramaniam, T. A., Kee, D. M. H., Samarth, T., Nair, R. K., & Teh, Y. C. (2021). Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on consumer behaviour towards the intention to use e-wallet in Malaysia. International Journal of Accounting & Finance in Asia Pasific, 4(3), 42–59. https://doi.org/10.32535/ijafap.v4i3.1205 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

16. Edu, A. S. (2024). Paths to digital mobile payment platforms acceptance and usage: A topology for digital enthusiast consumers. Telematics and Informatics Reports, 15, 100158. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.teler.2024.100158 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

17. Fania, R. F., & Paramita, W. (2025). Painless, careless: Will satisfaction toward QR code payment increase impulsive purchase? Journal of Financial Services Marketing, 30, 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41264-025-00323-w [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

18. Faqih, K. M. S., & Jaradat, M. I. R. M. (2021). Integrating TTF and UTAUT2 theories to investigate the adoption of augmented reality technology in education: Perspective from a developing country. Technology in Society, 67, 101787. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techsoc.2021.101787 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

19. Gan, K. H., Lim, H. L., Choo, K. S., Chong, J. Y., Chong, J. E., Chong, X. Y., Choong, K. W., Ali, A. J., & Kee, D. M. H. (2025). Factors influencing the intention to use e-wallet payment among Millennials and Generation Z in Malaysia. Asia Pacific Journal of Management and Education, 8(1), 69–92. https://doi.org/10.32535/apjme.v8i1.3855 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

20. Greiffenhagen, C., Li, R., & Llewellyn, N. (2022). The Visibility of Digital Money: A Video Study of Mobile Payments Using WeChat Pay. PolyU Institutional Research Archive (Hong Kong Polytechnic University), 57(3), 493–515. https://doi.org/10.1177/00380385221104007 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

21. Herzallah, F., Abosamaha, A. J., Abu-Siam, Y., Amer, M., Sajjad, U., & Hamid, K. (2025). Determinants of mobile wallet usage among Gen Z: Extending the UTAUT2 model with moderating effects of personal innovativeness and gender. International Journal of Information Management Data Insights, 5(1), 100336. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jjimei.2025.100336 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

22. Kaur, J. J., & Bahar, A. A. (2022). Factors influencing the intention to adopt electronic wallet among undergraduate student in Klang Valley. Quantum Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 3(4), 48–61. https://doi.org/10.55197/qjssh.v3i4.157 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

23. Kee, D. M. H., Kum, Y. L., Lee, J. H., Lee, N. C., Lee, X. T., & Muckar, D. S. (2024). Riding the fintech wave: Exploring service satisfaction and trust among Generations Y and Z. International Journal of Accounting & Finance in Asia Pasific, 7(3), 342–360. https://doi.org/10.32535/ijafap.v7i3.3616 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

24. Khando, K., Islam, M. S., & Gao, S. (2022). The Emerging Technologies of Digital Payments and Associated Challenges: A Systematic Literature Review. Future Internet, 15(1), 21–21. https://doi.org/10.3390/fi15010021 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

25. Kruger, S., & Steyn, R. (2024). Navigating the fourth industrial revolution: a systematic review of technology adoption model trends. Journal of Science and Technology Policy Management, 16(10), 24–56. https://doi.org/10.1108/jstpm-11-2022-0188 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

26. Kuppusamy, J., & Xiang, E. L. J. (2024). Factors that influence the intention to use E-wallet among Generation Z in Malaysia. In Proceedings of the 4th International Conference on Communication, Language, Education and Social Sciences (pp. 33–43). Atlantis Press. https://doi.org/10.2991/978-2-38476-196-8_4 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

27. Lai, P. C., & Liew, E. J. Y. (2021). Towards a cashless society: The effects of perceived convenience and security on gamified mobile payment platform adoption. Australasian Journal of Information Systems, 25, 1–25. https://doi.org/10.3127/ajis.v25i0.2809 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

28. Lamichhane, K. J. (2025). Spending Behaviour of Gen Z Consumers in the Use of Digital Payment Systems. Journal of Business and Social Sciences Research, 10(1), 49–64. https://doi.org/10.3126/jbssr.v10i1.80318 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

29. Lim, H. L., Kuek, T. Y., Yeoh, G. L., Yeap, P. Y., Yang, D., Xu, K., Ali, A. J., & Kee, D. M. H. (2022). Factors affecting users’ behavioral intention toward Touch ’n Go E-Wallet in Malaysia. International Journal of Applied Business and International Management, 7(3), 108–120. https://doi.org/10.32535/ijabim.v7i3.2069 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

30. Ling, W. A., Raam, A., Rizal, A., Ali, A., Khoiruwnia, F., Utama, A., & Ban, D. (2023). Factors influencing consumers’ behavioural intention to use electronic wallet: A study of Touch ’n Go eWallet. Journal of Community Development in Asia, 6(2), 148–158. https://doi.org/10.32535/jcda.v6i2.2295 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

31. Lisana, L. (2022). Understanding the key drivers in using mobile payment among Generation Z. Journal of Science and Technology Policy Management, 15(1), 122–141. https://doi.org/10.1108/jstpm-08-2021-0118 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

32. Loke, M. Q., Lok, X. L., Ma, Y., Fadli, M. F., & Sushen, B. S. (2022). Case study of Touch’n Go in Malaysia: Are you a user of e-wallet? International Journal of Accounting & Finance in Asia Pasific, 5(3), 97–106. https://doi.org/10.32535/ijafap.v5i3.1932 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

33. Luna, I. R. de, Montoro-Ríos, F., Molinillo, S., & Liébana‐Cabanillas, F. (2023). Consumer Behaviour and Mobile Payments in the Point of Sale: Exploring the Determinants of Intention to Adopt It. International Journal of Human-Computer Interaction, 40(18), 5350–5372. https://doi.org/10.1080/10447318.2023.2233135 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

34. Ly, B. (2025). User-centric drivers of QR payment adoption in emerging economies: Trust, quality, and social influence. Future Business Journal, 11, Article 114. https://doi.org/10.1186/s43093-025-00681-w [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

35. Meiranto, W., Faisal, F., & Yuyetta, E. N. A. (2024). The mediating role of effort expectation on digital banking behavior intention in the Indonesian bank industry: An integration of UGT-UTAUT. International Journal of Data and Network Science, 8(4), 2547–2562. https://doi.org/10.5267/j.ijdns.2024.5.003 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

36. Mogaji, E., Viglia, G., Srivastava, P., & Dwivedi, Y. K. (2024). Is it the end of the technology acceptance model in the era of generative artificial intelligence? Cronfa (Swansea University), 36(10), 3324–3339. https://doi.org/10.1108/ijchm-08-2023-1271 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

37. Nayak, A., Satpathy, I., & Khang, A. (2025). Driving Digital Payments: The Transformative Impact of Electronic Fund Transfers. In Productivity Press eBooks (pp. 181–194). https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003501947-11 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

38. Nguyen, D. D., Nguyen, T. D., Nguyen, T. D., & Nguyen, H. V. (2021). Impacts of perceived security and knowledge on continuous intention to use mobile fintech payment services: An empirical study in Vietnam. Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business, 8(8), 287–296. https://doi.org/10.13106/jafeb.2021.vol8.no8.0287 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

39. Nik Hussin, N. S., & Abdul Aziz, Z. (2026a). Towards a cashless society: Examining the adoption of QR mobile payments among university students. International Journal of Service Management and Sustainability, 11(1), 203–213. https://doi.org/10.24191/ijsms.v11i1.24248 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

40. Nik Hussin, N. S., & Abdul Aziz, Z. (2026b). Understanding quick response mobile payment adoption: An extended TAM approach among Malaysian university students. International Journal of Business and Technopreneurship, 16(2), 47–56. https://doi.org/10.58915/ijbt.v16i2.2517 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

41. Osman, S., & Yi, L. Y. (2021). Factors influencing the intention to adopt ewallet among students of Universiti Putra Malaysia. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 11(11), 1624–1641. https://doi.org/10.6007/IJARBSS/v11-i11/11650 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

42. Payments Network Malaysia. (2026). 8.44 billion transactions processed in 2025 as digital payments become Malaysians’ preferred way to pay. https://www.paynet.my/about-us/media-centre/press-release/8-44-billion-transactions-processed-in-2025-as-digital-payments-become-malaysians-preferred-way-to-pay.html [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

43. Prawira, F. R., Prakoso, N. T., Handayani, P. W., & Harahap, N. C. (2024). The influence of information security factors on the continuance use of electronic wallet. Procedia Computer Science, 234, 1467–1475. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.procs.2024.03.147 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

44. Puiu, S., Demyen, S., Tanase, A.-C., Varzaru, A. A., & Bocean, C. G. (2022). Assessing the adoption of mobile technology for commerce by Generation Z. Electronics, 11(6), 866. https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics11060866 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

45. Rahadi, R. A., Nainggolan, Y. A., Afgani, K. F., Yusliza, M. Y., & Ramayah, T. (2022). Towards a cashless society: Use of electronic payment devices among Generation Z. International Journal of Data and Network Science, 6(1), 137–146. https://doi.org/10.5267/j.ijdns.2021.11.012 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

46. Rahadi, R. A., Nainggolan, Y. A., Afgani, K. F., Yusliza, M. Y., Faezah, J. N., Ramayah, T., Saputra, J., Muhammad, Z., Farooq, K., & Angelina, C. (2021). Towards a cashless society: Use of electronic payment devices among generation Z. International Journal of Data and Network Science, 6(1), 137–146. https://doi.org/10.5267/j.ijdns.2021.9.014 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

47. Ramayanti, R., Rachmawati, N. A., Azhar, Z., & Nik Azman, N. H. (2024). Exploring intention and actual use in digital payments: A systematic review and roadmap for future research. Computers in Human Behavior Reports, 13, 100348. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chbr.2023.100348 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

48. Sehat, N. S., Daud, S. R., Ahmad, K. S., Suhaime, I. L., & Jogeran, J. (2024). Acceptance Factors Affecting the Intention to Use Mobile Payments: QR Code Applications. Information Management and Business Review, 16, 287–304. https://doi.org/10.22610/imbr.v16i1(i).3694 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

49. Senali, M. G., Iranmanesh, M., Ismail, F. N., Rahim, N. F. A., Khoshkam, M., & Mirzaei, M. (2022). Determinants of Intention to Use e-Wallet: Personal Innovativeness and Propensity to Trust as Moderators. International Journal of Human-Computer Interaction, 39(12), 2361–2373. https://doi.org/10.1080/10447318.2022.2076309 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

50. Sudirjo, F., Mustafa, F., Astuti, E. D., Tawil, M. R., & Putra, A. S. B. (2023). Analysis of The Influence of Hedonic Motivation, Digital Devices Ease of Use Perception, Benefits of Digital Technology and Digital Promotion on Intention to Use of Digital Wallets Consumers. Jurnal Informasi Dan Teknologi, 33–38. https://doi.org/10.60083/jidt.v5i4.415 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

51. Tang, Y. M., Chau, K. Y. G., Hong, L., Ip, Y. K., & Yan, W. (2021). Financial innovation in digital payment with WeChat towards electronic business success. Journal of Theoretical and Applied Electronic Commerce Research, 16(5), 1844–1861. https://doi.org/10.3390/jtaer16050103 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

52. Tian, Y., Chan, T. J., Suki, N. M., & Kasim, M. A. (2023). Moderating role of perceived trust and perceived service quality on consumers’ use behaviour of Alipay e-wallet system: The perspectives of technology acceptance model and theory of planned behaviour. Human Behaviour and Emerging Technologies, 2023, 5276406. https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/5276406 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

53. Toh, T. L., Kiew, J. P., & Wong, A. H. A. (2022). Factors influencing the intention to use e-wallet among Millennials. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 12(11), 344–354. https://doi.org/10.6007/IJARBSS/v12-i11/14862 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

54. Türker, C., Altay, B. C., & Okumuş, A. (2022). Understanding user acceptance of QR code mobile payment systems in Turkey: An extended TAM. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 184, 121968. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2022.121968 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

55. Wei, M.-F., Luh, Y., Huang, Y.-H., & Chang, Y.-C. (2021). Young Generation’s Mobile Payment Adoption Behavior: Analysis Based on an Extended UTAUT Model. Journal of Theoretical and Applied Electronic Commerce Research, 16(4), 618–637. https://doi.org/10.3390/jtaer16040037 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

56. Widyanto, H. A., Kusumawardani, K. A., & Yohanes, H. (2022). Safety first: Extending UTAUT to better predict mobile payment adoption by incorporating perceived security, perceived risk and trust. Journal of Science and Technology Policy Management, 13(4), 952–973. https://doi.org/10.1108/JSTPM-03-2020-0058 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

57. Xue, L., Mat Rashid, A., & Ouyang, S. (2024). The unified theory of acceptance and use of technology in higher education: A systematic review. SAGE Open, 14(1). https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440241229570 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

58. Yamin, B. M., & Abdalatif, O. A. A. (2024). Examining consumer behavior towards adoption of quick response code mobile payment systems: transforming mobile payment in the fintech industry. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 11(1). https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-024-03189-w [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

59. Yang, M., Mamun, A. A., Mohiuddin, M., Nawi, N. C., & Zainol, N. R. (2021). Cashless transactions: A study on intention and adoption of e-wallets. Sustainability, 13(2), 831. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13020831 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

60. Yang, M., Mamun, A. A., Mohiuddin, M., Nawi, N. C., & Zainol, N. R. (2021). Cashless Transactions: A Study on Intention and Adoption of e-Wallets. Sustainability, 13(2), 831–831. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13020831 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

61. Zhao, Y., & Bacao, F. (2021). How does the pandemic facilitate mobile payment? An investigation on users’ perspective under the COVID-19 pandemic. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(3), 1016. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18031016 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

• An Empirical Investigation of the Determinants of Consumer Intention to Adopt Self-Service Technologies in the Malaysian Hospitality Sector
• Examining the Effects of Perceived Usefulness, Perceived Ease of Use, Shopping Orientation, and Online Trust on Online Purchase Intention
• The Role of Influencing Factors on Brand Marketing Performance: A Case Study of Le Labo
• Consumer Purchasing Behavior for Remanufactured Electronic Products from Online Channels and Influencing Factors
• An Extended Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) Perspective on Customer Loyalty in Digitalized Beverage Markets