International Journal of Environment, Engineering, and Education
Vol. 8 No. 1 (2026)

Perceived Security and Trust as Mechanisms of P2P Adoption Technology: Evidence from Pre-Adopters Using PLS-SEM Approach

Indra Dharma Wijaya (Department of Information Technology, Politeknik Negeri Malang, Malang, East Java, Indonesia)
Rudi Salam (Department of Administrative Science, Universitas Negeri Makassar, Makassar, South Sulawesi, Indonesia)
Saiful Ghozi (Department of Business, Politeknik Negeri Balikpapan, Balikpapan, East Kalimantan, Indonesia)
Faiz Ushbah Mubarok (Department of Information Technology, Politeknik Negeri Malang, Malang, East Java, Indonesia)
Muhamad Fajar Subkhan (Department of Civil Engineering, Politeknik Negeri Malang, Malang, East Java, Indonesia)



Article Info

Publish Date
01 Mar 2026

Abstract

Peer-to-peer (P2P) lending can expand working-capital access for micro-entrepreneurs, yet borrowing via digital platforms heightens perceived vulnerability due to sensitive data disclosure and binding repayment obligations. This study examines how perceived security and trust shape adoption intention in a high-stakes fintech context by extending the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and testing whether security and trust transmit the effect of perceived usefulness to intention. Using an explanatory cross-sectional design, we collected offline-administered survey data from 204 Indonesian micro-entrepreneurs who had not previously adopted P2P lending to capture pre-adopter perceptions better and reduce digital-selection bias. The model was estimated using PLS-SEM 3. The results indicate that all hypothesized relationships are positive and statistically significant. Perceived usefulness significantly enhances perceived security (β = 0.562) and trust (β = 0.259), while perceived security exerts a strong positive effect on trust (β = 0.517). Intention to use P2P lending is directly influenced by perceived security (β = 0.337), trust (β = 0.213), and perceived usefulness (β = 0.208). Mediation analysis confirms that perceived security (β = 0.189) and trust (β = 0.055) partially mediate the effect of perceived usefulness on intention to use. The model explains 42.4% of the variance in intention to use (R-squared = 0.424) and demonstrates adequate predictive relevance (Q-squared = 0.263). Overall, perceived security emerges as the most influential determinant of adoption intention, underscoring the importance of security-by-design features, transparent governance, and robust consumer-protection frameworks in fostering trust and accelerating P2P lending adoption among micro-entrepreneurs.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

ijeedu

Publisher

Subject

Civil Engineering, Building, Construction & Architecture Computer Science & IT Education Electrical & Electronics Engineering Engineering Environmental Science

Description

The International Journal of Environment, Engineering, and Education [e-ISSN: 2656-8039] is a peer-reviewed, open-access journal that is published three times a year [in April, August, and December]; this journal provides the right platform for authors to update their knowledge, information, and ...