The Influence of Public Sphere, Perceived Usefulness, and Trust on Mobile Payment Intention with Attitude as a Mediating Variable

The objective of this study is to understand the social and psychological factors that influence user intentions and attitudes in using mobile payment services in Indonesia. This study examines the influence of Public Sphere, Perceived Usefulness, and Trust on user attitudes and intentions, as well as the role of Attitude as a mediating variable.  A quantitative method is used in this study by collecting data through an online survey using Google Forms in which the respondents are active users of mobile payment services in Indonesia. The data analysis is conducted using descriptive and inferential statistics to examine the relationships between variables. The result of this study shows that Perceived Usefulness and Trust significantly influence users’ positive attitudes toward mobile payment. Moreover, the Public Sphere, which presents user discussions and experiences through social media, also has a positive effect on perceived usefulness and users’ intention to keep using the service. On the other hand, Public Sphere has no direct effect on attitudes, and Trust does not mediate attitudes toward usage intentions. The main findings indicate that user attitudes play an important role as mediators that strengthen the influence of perceived usefulness and trust on their intention to use mobile payments in the future. This study provides implications which are crucial for the digital financial services industry and policymakers. The strategies that emphasize to increase trust through security features and strengthen positive experiences and discussions in digital public spaces can increase the intention and sustainability of mobile payment use in Indonesia. Furthermore, developing humanistic content and emphasizing user experiences in digital public spaces is necessary to shape better attitudes and usage intentions.