ACCEPTANCE OF INTEREST FREE BANKING MEDIATED BY TRUST: A CASE OF UNITED ARAB EMIRATES-BASED EUROPEAN CUSTOMERS

Abstract

The study examines the acceptance of interest-free banking among European customers residing in the United Arab Emirates, with a particular focus on the role of trust and attitude. The primary aim of this study is to ascertain the factors that European customers take into account when considering the acceptance of Interest-free Banking and moreover, to assess the correlation between these factors and the acceptance of Interest-free Banking among European customers. Furthermore to examine the mediating role of trust and attitude towards the acceptance of Interest-free Banking. The present study adopts a quantitative research approach, employing statistical tests as the primary method for testing the study's hypotheses. The researcher employed a convenient sampling technique to pick a sample of 385 respondents for the current study. This technique was chosen based on the study's dynamics, as it was deemed the most effective approach for reaching a maximum number of respondents. A 5-point Likert scale adapted questionnaire with closed-ended questions was utilized to gather the data. The data that was gathered was subjected to analysis using both descriptive and inferential statistical methods. All the independent variables have shown significant association with the Acceptance of Interest free banking. As for as mediators, trust and attitude are concerned, it was observed that trust and attitude mediates the relationship between dependent and independent variables.