Ethical Halal compliant fintech adoption as a pathway to sustainable financial inclusion in resource constrained rural contexts

This study examines how resource constraints shape the behavioural intention of rural Generation Z university students in Bangladesh toward adopting Halal-compliant fintech. Extending the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), the study integrates the Resource-Based View (RBV), Theory of Islamic Finance (TIF), and Trust Theory to contextualise adoption within an ethically sensitive, resource-constrained setting. Data from 366 rural Gen Z respondents were analysed via PLS-SEM, testing five constructs: knowledge, perceived ease of use, perceived security, attitude, and behavioural intention. Perceived ease of use and perceived security significantly influence behavioural intention through the partial mediation of attitude, while knowledge has no direct effect. Halal adherence and trust in blockchain and AI are identified as key adoption enablers. The findings offer practical implications for Islamic fintech developers, banks, and policymakers designing inclusive, ethically aligned digital financial products. By integrating multiple theoretical perspectives, this study advances the discourse on Halal-compliant fintech adoption and financial inclusion in developing countries, directly contributing to SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure) by providing evidence-based pathways toward Shariah-compliant digital financial ecosystems in underserved rural communities.