Blockchain enabled e-voting system adoption: examining the mediating role of perceived transparency Academic Article in Scopus uri icon

abstract

  • Purpose: Transparency is one of the finest characteristics of blockchain technology. As blockchain¿s technical enablers are traceable and irreversible, transparency allows for more confidence in the system. This study aims to apply and extend the theoretical model of the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT2) by empirically investigating the factors (performance expectancy, price value, facilitating conditions, hedonic motivation, habit, social influence and effort expectancy) that influence users¿ perceived transparency of blockchain-as-a-service for e-voting and its effect on adoption intention; to investigate the mediating effect of perceived blockchain transparency on the relationship between UTAUT2 antecedents and intention to use blockchain-based e-voting technology; and to investigate Generations Z and Y¿s perceptions of how blockchain technology can be implemented to the current e-voting system. Design/methodology/approach: The authors primarily used the MTurk crowdsourcing platform to host their online survey and collected 251 valid responses from their targeted participants, which the authors analyzed using Smart PLS 4.0. Findings: The findings revealed that users¿ perceived expectancy, hedonic motivation, facilitating conditions, habit and price value positively influence the perceived transparency of blockchain-as-a-service for e-voting. This, in turn, positively influences adoption intention. In addition, users¿ perceived transparency positively mediates the relationship between UTAUT2 factors (perceived expectancy, hedonic motivation, facilitating conditions, habit and price value) and the adoption intention of blockchain-based e-voting. Originality/value: By empirically investigating the factors that enhance users¿ perceived transparency of blockchain-as-a-service for e-voting, this study contributes to the UTAUT2 model literature. It also investigates the impact of this perceived transparency on the adoption intention and illustrates its mediating role in the UTAUT2 model through a segmentation approach. Finally, the authors address the significant implications of the findings, including how their research contributes to the transparency literature by emphasizing the significance of transparency in blockchain technology. © 2025, Emerald Publishing Limited.

publication date

  • January 1, 2025