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Determinants of digital financial inclusion in enhancing financial well-being among poor households: Evidence from Malaysia

Gadjah Mada International Journal of Business (GamaIJB) · Vol. 28 No. 1 (2026) · pp. 93–140

DOI
10.22146/gamaijb.116140
ISSN
2338-7238, 1411-1128
Published
2026-02-09
Publisher
Master in Management, Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Gadjah Mada
Language
eng
License
creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0

Abstract

This study examines the factors influencing financial well-being and investigates the mediating role of digital financial inclusion among households with incomes below the national poverty line in Malaysia. The study used Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) and Importance-Performance Map Analysis (IPMA) to estimate the results. This study collected 1,171 responses and found that digital literacy, digital financial service infrastructure, and financial service providers were determining factors of digital financial inclusion. Financial service providers and digital financial inclusion showed a significant relationship with financial well-being. Mediation analysis showed that digital literacy, digital financial service infrastructure, and financial service providers indirectly affected financial well-being through digital financial inclusion. The results of the IPMA showed that financial service providers and digital financial inclusion were the most important factors in achieving financial well-being. Furthermore, financial service providers were the key factor of digital financial inclusion in high-poverty states, while digital literacy was a key factor in moderate- and low-poverty states. The study offers insights for policymakers working towards an inclusive society and provides financial service providers with information to design services that meet the needs of poor households. This study also offers important implications for other developing countries in Southeast Asia that share similar socio-economic and digital challenges.

Keywords

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  • Universiti Utara Malaysia
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Metadata source: OAI-PMH (metadata jurnal) https://journal.ugm.ac.id/gamaijb/oai, first harvested 28 Okt 2026, last seen 28 Okt 2026.
Original metadata (oai_dc) 
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	<dc:title xml:lang="en-US">Determinants of digital financial inclusion in enhancing financial well-being among poor households: Evidence from Malaysia</dc:title>
	<dc:creator>Pey, Lu Ming</dc:creator>
	<dc:creator>Kosim, Zunarni</dc:creator>
	<dc:creator>Cheah, Yong Kang</dc:creator>
	<dc:subject xml:lang="en-US">Business; Management</dc:subject>
	<dc:subject xml:lang="en-US">Digital financial inclusion, poor households, financial well-being, Malaysia, SDG1: no poverty</dc:subject>
	<dc:subject xml:lang="en-US">G210; G51; G53</dc:subject>
	<dc:description xml:lang="en-US">This study examines the factors influencing financial well-being and investigates the mediating role of digital financial inclusion among households with incomes below the national poverty line in Malaysia. The study used Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) and Importance-Performance Map Analysis (IPMA) to estimate the results. This study collected 1,171 responses and found that digital literacy, digital financial service infrastructure, and financial service providers were determining factors of digital financial inclusion. Financial service providers and digital financial inclusion showed a significant relationship with financial well-being. Mediation analysis showed that digital literacy, digital financial service infrastructure, and financial service providers indirectly affected financial well-being through digital financial inclusion. The results of the IPMA showed that financial service providers and digital financial inclusion were the most important factors in achieving financial well-being. Furthermore, financial service providers were the key factor of digital financial inclusion in high-poverty states, while digital literacy was a key factor in moderate- and low-poverty states. The study offers insights for policymakers working towards an inclusive society and provides financial service providers with information to design services that meet the needs of poor households. This study also offers important implications for other developing countries in Southeast Asia that share similar socio-economic and digital challenges.</dc:description>
	<dc:publisher xml:lang="en-US">Master in Management, Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Gadjah Mada</dc:publisher>
	<dc:contributor xml:lang="en-US"></dc:contributor>
	<dc:date>2026-02-09</dc:date>
	<dc:type>info:eu-repo/semantics/article</dc:type>
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	<dc:type xml:lang="en-US">Peer-reviewed Article</dc:type>
	<dc:format>application/pdf</dc:format>
	<dc:identifier>https://journal.ugm.ac.id/gamaijb/article/view/116140</dc:identifier>
	<dc:identifier>10.22146/gamaijb.116140</dc:identifier>
	<dc:source xml:lang="en-US">Gadjah Mada International Journal of Business; Vol 28, No 1 (2026): January; 93-140</dc:source>
	<dc:source>2338-7238</dc:source>
	<dc:source>1411-1128</dc:source>
	<dc:language>eng</dc:language>
	<dc:relation>https://journal.ugm.ac.id/gamaijb/article/view/116140/43467</dc:relation>
	<dc:rights xml:lang="en-US">Copyright (c) 2026 Gadjah Mada International Journal of Business</dc:rights>
	<dc:rights xml:lang="en-US">http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0</dc:rights>
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