Short answer
When designing digital services for Islamic markets, particularly during times of social distancing, prioritize building trust and addressing gender-specific user needs and perceptions.
- Field
- Innovation & Markets
- Source
- Journal of Islamic marketing (2023)
- Method
- Quantitative research using structural equation modeling (SEM) with SmartPLS.
- Sample
- 1006 participants
- Evidence
- Strong effect
The pandemic's necessity for digital engagement has significantly boosted the adoption of digital Islamic services like ZakaTech, but user acceptance is shaped by a complex interplay of social, cultural, and gender-specific influences. This innovation & markets research insight is drawn from a 2023 study published in Journal of Islamic marketing. Using Quantitative research using structural equation modeling (sem) with smartpls. with 1006 participants, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: When designing digital services for Islamic markets, particularly during times of social distancing, prioritize building trust and addressing gender-specific user needs and perceptions.
COVID-19 accelerates digital Islamic service adoption, with gender and cultural factors influencing uptake.
The pandemic's necessity for digital engagement has significantly boosted the adoption of digital Islamic services like ZakaTech, but user acceptance is shaped by a complex interplay of social, cultural, and gender-specific influences.
Journal of Islamic marketing · 2023
Key Findings
- 01All UTAUT constructs were significant predictors of ZakaTech adoption, except for effort expectancy in Egypt.
- 02Self-efficacy and social isolation positively influenced ZakaTech adoption in both countries.
- 03Trust in technology was a significant predictor in Saudi Arabia, while trust in electronic-zakat systems was vital in Egypt.
- 04Significant gender differences were observed in self-efficacy, trust in electronic-zakat systems, social isolation, and social influence regarding ZakaTech adoption.
Application
Design takeaway
When designing digital services for Islamic markets, particularly during times of social distancing, prioritize building trust and addressing gender-specific user needs and perceptions.
How to apply
When developing digital platforms for religious or charitable services, conduct user research to understand specific cultural nuances and gender-based expectations regarding trust and ease of use.
Project actions
- 01When researching user adoption, consider how societal events (like a pandemic) might influence behavior.
- 02Investigate how different demographic groups (e.g., by gender, age, or location) might have unique needs or perceptions regarding a product or service.
Method & Evidence
Variables
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- +Utilizes a robust theoretical framework (UTAUT and SCT).
- +Employs advanced statistical analysis (SEM) for model validation.
- +Provides cross-country and gender-specific insights.
Limitations
A study might be limited by the specific countries or cultural groups surveyed, meaning findings might not apply everywhere. Also, relying on people's self-reported opinions can sometimes be inaccurate.
Reliability & validity
The study's reliability is supported by the use of established scales within the UTAUT framework and the application of SEM. Validity is addressed through cross-validation across two countries and by examining multiple theoretical constructs.
Think critically
How might the 'social isolation' factor have been interpreted differently by users in Saudi Arabia versus Egypt, and how could this have influenced their adoption of ZakaTech?
Design Principles
"Digital service adoption is influenced by a combination of perceived usefulness, social norms, personal confidence, and trust, which can be modulated by cultural context and user demographics."
Understanding these nuanced adoption drivers is crucial for organizations developing and marketing digital services in Islamic economies. Tailoring strategies to address gender differences and build trust in technology and electronic systems can enhance user engagement and market penetration.
What This Means for Your Design
People are more likely to use new digital services for things like paying religious dues (ZakaTech) if they feel confident doing so, if their friends and family are doing it, and if they trust the technology, especially when they can't meet in person. This is even more true during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, what makes people trust the technology can be different in different countries and for men versus women.
How to use in your project
- 1.Reference this study when discussing the factors influencing user adoption of digital services, particularly in niche or culturally specific markets.
- 2.Use the findings to justify the importance of user research that considers demographic differences and societal influences in your own design project.
Add to My Project
Quick Cite
Paragraph starter
The adoption of digital services, as exemplified by ZakaTech during the COVID-19 pandemic, is significantly influenced by factors such as self-efficacy, social isolation, and trust in technology. Research indicates that these determinants can vary considerably across different national contexts and between genders, highlighting the need for context-specific design and marketing strategies to ensure successful user uptake.
Source
Journal of Islamic marketing
Adoption of ZakaTech in the time of COVID-19: cross-country and gender differences
journal · 2023
View sourceQuestions About This Research
- What does the research say about covid-19 accelerates digital islamic service adoption, with gender and cultural factors influencing uptake?
- When designing digital services for Islamic markets, particularly during times of social distancing, prioritize building trust and addressing gender-specific user needs and perceptions. Evidence: Journal of Islamic marketing (2023).
- Why does "COVID-19 accelerates digital Islamic service adoption, with gender and cultural factors influencing uptake." matter for design?
- Understanding these nuanced adoption drivers is crucial for organizations developing and marketing digital services in Islamic economies. Tailoring strategies to address gender differences and build trust in technology and electronic systems can enhance user engagement and market penetration.
- How can designers apply this research?
- When designing digital services for Islamic markets, particularly during times of social distancing, prioritize building trust and addressing gender-specific user needs and perceptions.
- What were the main findings?
- All UTAUT constructs were significant predictors of ZakaTech adoption, except for effort expectancy in Egypt.. Self-efficacy and social isolation positively influenced ZakaTech adoption in both countries.. Trust in technology was a significant predictor in Saudi Arabia, while trust in electronic-zakat systems was vital in Egypt.. Significant gender differences were observed in self-efficacy, trust in electronic-zakat systems, social isolation, and social influence regarding ZakaTech adoption.
- What research method was used?
- Quantitative research using structural equation modeling (SEM) with SmartPLS. with 1006 participants.
- How strong is the evidence?
- Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2023 journal from Journal of Islamic marketing.
- What should I do differently in my next project?
- When developing digital platforms for religious or charitable services, conduct user research to understand specific cultural nuances and gender-based expectations regarding trust and ease of use.
- What are the limitations?
- The study focused on two specific countries (Saudi Arabia and Egypt) and may not be generalizable to all Islamic economies. The reliance on self-reported data is also a potential limitation.