Initial Trust in Digital Vehicle Financing: Evidence from Potential ACC One Users

Abstract – Prospective users of a new digital service evaluate trust as an important consideration before using the service for the first time. The present study evaluates the relationship between information transparency and perceived financial risk with initial trust and the relationship with behavioral intention to adopt ACC One, a digital vehicle-financing service in Indonesia. The study applies Signaling Theory and Initial Trust Theory to analyze the relationship using PLS-SEM with survey data collected from potential first-time service users, and analyze the relationship with partial least squares. The study finds that information transparency and perceived financial risk are positively related to initial trust, which is positively related to behavioral intention to adopt. Initial trust fully mediates the two relationships with behavioral intention to adopt through significant indirect effects. Perceived financial risk has a positive relationship with initial trust, which means that in a digital finance service, trust may not always be undermined by financial consideration. This is particularly relevant with the importance of trust in digital societies. It shows the relationship between information and financial consideration with trust, particularly with regard to trust in digital finance.