Journal Article

Mini-programs in mobile payment to access eGovernment in China's Greater Bay Area - exploring the determinants and mechanism from self-determination and motivation theory

Patrick, Lai ChiMeng, Marques, João Alexandre Lobo

2024

Overview

Government service mini-programs (GSMPs) in mobile payment have become integral to the eGovernment in China's Greater Bay Area (GBA). The ubiquitous nature of WeChat and Alipay provides excellent flexibility for accessing public e-services. Yet, the determinants and mechanisms of adoption have not been identified. A convenience sample was collected from GBA core cities for statistical and SEM analysis. The findings suggest that service quality, trust in eGovernment, ubiquity, and social influence constitute the determinants. A structural model grounded on Self-Determination and Motivation theory is verified, where perceived value and intention contribute a high explanatory power. Benevolence, integrity, and competence are crucial indicators of trust, while social influence amplifies risk perception. Surprisingly, government support negatively moderates the impact of determinants on intention, indicating that over-intervention leads to inhibition. The mechanism illustrates the beneficial impact of GSMPs as the smart government channel and provides insights into addressing service homogeneity and policy applicability. Relevant theoretical and managerial implications are instructive to policymakers and practitioners of smart city innovation and in-depth integration in GBA. Government service mini-programs (GSMPs) in WeChat and Alipay offer a variety of public services to China's GBA cities, leading to a new era of digital governance. High-quality e-services are standard expectations of the public. Homogeneity, malfunctions, and latency are barriers to quality perception. Policymakers and practitioners should explore the reform scope and innovation of public e-services from various perspectives and strive to construct high-efficiency and high-level Bay Area cities. This article investigates the adoption mechanisms of GSMPs, demonstrates the significance of trust and policy support, and provides valuable insights into addressing homogeneity and promoting service integration. Only by comprehensively understanding citizens' intrinsic motivations and external needs, as well as continuously fostering service innovation, public confidence, and social cohesion, will we be able to respond to the opportunities and challenges presented by smart city construction.

• Publisher: Cogent,Taylor & Francis Ltd,Taylor & Francis Group
• Subject: Adoption of innovations / Altruism / Electronic government / Government / government support / Homogeneity / Influence / Information & Communication Technology (ICT); Legal, Ethical & Social Aspects of IT; Quantitative Methods; Factor Analysis, SEM, Multilevel & Longitudinal Modeling; Information Technology; Government; Regulatory Policy; Social Theory / Innovations / Komalsingh Rambaree, Social Work and Criminology, University of Gävle, Gävle, Sweden / mini-program / Mobile commerce / Mobile payment / Morality / Motivation / Motivation theory / Policy making / Quality of service / Risk perception / Self determination / service quality / Smart cities / trust / ubiquity