Febriandita Tedjomurti, Lumban Arofah

Social Construction of Traditional MSME Actors Towards QRIS Digital Payment Adoption in Surabaya

Introduction

Social construction of traditional msme actors towards qris digital payment adoption in surabaya . Explore social construction impacting traditional MSME actors' QRIS digital payment adoption in Surabaya. Uncovers digital literacy, security concerns, and social interactions driving trust.

Abstract

Technological developments encourage the adoption of digital payment systems in various sectors, including Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). However, traditional MSME actors in Surabaya City show diverse responses to this change. This study aims to understand how the social construction of traditional MSME actors towards digital payments is formed. Using a qualitative approach and the social construction theory of Peter L. Berger and Thomas Luckmann, this study explores the processes of internalization, objectivation, and externalization in forming the meaning of the digital payment system. Data were obtained through in-depth interviews with five traditional MSME actors conducted between April and May 2025. Findings indicate that cash payments remain the dominant method, as they are considered easier, safer, and more in line with old habits. Low levels of digital literacy and concerns about the security and complexity of technology are the main obstacles to the adoption of digital payments. However, trust in the digital system has begun to grow gradually, mainly influenced by positive experiences and support from the community, family, and customers. The social construction of MSME actors towards digital payments is formed through ongoing social interactions, so that the adoption of this technology cannot be separated from the social and cultural contexts that surround it.

Review

This study tackles a highly relevant and timely subject: the social construction of digital payment adoption among traditional Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), specifically focusing on QRIS in Surabaya. The strength of this research lies in its robust theoretical grounding, explicitly employing the social construction theory of Berger and Luckmann. This approach promises a nuanced understanding of how digital payments are internalized, objectivized, and externalized within specific socio-cultural contexts, moving beyond mere technological acceptance models to explore the deeper meaning-making processes involved. The qualitative design is well-suited for such an exploration, offering the potential for rich, in-depth insights into the lived experiences and perceptions of MSME actors. The abstract effectively summarizes key findings, highlighting the persistence of cash payments due to perceived ease and safety, low digital literacy, and concerns about security and complexity as primary barriers to QRIS adoption. Conversely, it identifies gradual trust-building influenced by positive experiences and community support, underscoring the crucial role of social interactions in shaping attitudes. Methodologically, while in-depth interviews are appropriate, the reported sample size of five participants is quite small and might limit the generalizability of the findings, even within the specific context of Surabaya. A critical concern, however, is the stated data collection period of "April and May 2025." This future date implies the study has not yet been conducted, raising fundamental questions about the validity of the reported "findings" and requires immediate clarification or correction. Despite the methodological concern regarding the future data collection date, the conceptual framework offers significant theoretical contributions by applying social construction theory to the domain of digital technology adoption. It vividly illustrates how technological integration is deeply interwoven with social and cultural realities, emphasizing that adoption is not solely a rational choice but a socially mediated process. Practically, the identified barriers and drivers offer valuable insights for policymakers, financial institutions, and digital literacy initiatives targeting MSMEs, enabling the design of more effective and contextually sensitive interventions. Future research could expand upon this foundation by correcting the data collection timeline, increasing the sample size, or employing comparative designs across different MSME types or regions to further validate and broaden the applicability of these crucial findings.

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