Behavioural Orientation and Digital Credit Engagement: An Examination of Attitudes, Intentions, and Equitable Access in Nairobi City County

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to examine the influence of behavioural factors, particularly attitudes toward digital credit, on users' engagement with digital credit and their experience of equitable access to it in Nairobi City County. Anchored in the Technology Acceptance Model, this research addresses a notable gap in digital finance scholarship by moving beyond adoption-focused indicators to assess whether a behavioural orientation contributes to equitable, sustainable, and fair access outcomes. Data from 415 respondents in Nairobi City County were collected through stratified sampling and analysed using covariance-based structural equation modelling. The study found that attitude toward digital credit significantly influences the decision to use digital credit services (β = 0.497, p < .001). However, a nuanced direct relationship was observed between attitude and equitable access outcomes, suggesting that behavioural engagement operates as both a direct determinant and an indirect pathway through borrowing decisions. The findings demonstrate that positive attitudes encourage participation in digital credit systems, yet adoption behaviour alone does not guarantee equitable outcomes. This research contributes to digital finance scholarship by extending the Technology Acceptance Model beyond adoption-focused applications and by distinguishing between behavioural engagement and access equity.