Enhancing employee financial capability via super-apps: A case study in Semarang

https://doi.org/10.35912/ahrmr.v5i4.3301
Published: Dec 30, 2025

Abstract:

Purpose: Digital transformation has driven the development of technology-based financial services, including super-apps that integrate various services in one platform. This study aims to analyze the effect of super-apps usage and digital literacy on people's financial behavior, with financial inclusion as a mediating variable.

Research Methodology: This study uses a quantitative approach with the Partial Least Squares–Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) analysis technique. Respondents were 194 people from Semarang City who were active users of super-apps services.

Results: The results of the study show that the use of super-apps and digital literacy have a positive effect on financial behavior, both directly and indirectly through financial inclusion. Digital literacy is proven to have the strongest influence on financial inclusion, which then significantly mediates the relationship between digital literacy and financial behavior. Meanwhile, the indirect effect of super-apps usage on financial behavior through financial inclusion is relatively small.

Conclusions: These findings emphasize the importance of increasing digital literacy to encourage broader financial inclusion and wiser financial behavior.

Limitations: This study is limited to a sample of 194 respondents in Semarang, so the findings cannot be widely generalized. The use of self-report questionnaires may introduce bias. The variables examined are still limited, and the cross-sectional design cannot explain causal relationships. In addition, the study does not differentiate types of super-apps and does not consider structural factors such as income and digital infrastructure.

Contribution: May consider adding variables such as trust in fintech, personal financial efficacy, or digital security risks.

Keywords:
1. Digital Literacy
2. Employee
3. Financial Inclusion
4. Financial Behavior
5. Super-Apps
Authors:
1 . Sri Suyati
Universitas 17 Agustus 1945 Semarang, Jawa Tengah, Indonesia
2 . Nurchayati Nurchayati
Universitas 17 Agustus 1945 Semarang, Jawa Tengah, Indonesia
3 . Janti Soegiastuti
Universitas 17 Agustus 1945 Semarang, Jawa Tengah, Indonesia
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How to Cite
Suyati, S., Nurchayati, N., & Soegiastuti, J. (2025). Enhancing employee financial capability via super-apps: A case study in Semarang. Annals of Human Resource Management Research, 5(4), 313–326. https://doi.org/10.35912/ahrmr.v5i4.3301
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Issue & Section
Vol. 5 No. 4 (2025): December
Articles
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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

References

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    Adula, M., Kant, S., & Birbirsa, Z. A. (2022). Systematic Literature Review on Human Resource Management’s Effect on Organization Performance. Annals of Human Resource Management Research, 2(2), 131-146. doi:https://doi.org/10.35912/ahrmr.v2i2.1418

    Akeju, K. F. (2022). Household financial behaviour: The role of financial inclusion instruments in Nigeria. Journal of Sustainable Finance & Investment, 1-13. doi:https://doi.org/10.1080/20430795.2022.2034595

    Amini, S. A., Wiralaga, H. K., & Sebayang, K. D. A. (2025). Pengaruh Literasi Keuangan, Penggunaan Digital Payment, dan Pendapatan terhadap Inklusi Keuangan di DKI Jakarta. Kajian Ekonomi dan Akuntansi Terapan, 2(2), 165-179. doi:https://doi.org/10.61132/keat.v2i2.1163

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    Azzahra, T., & Afgani, K. F. (2023). The Impact of Super Apps Usage on Financial Literacy and Financial Behavior of Generation Z in Indonesia: A Literature Synthesis. Journal Integration of Management Studies, 1(1), 102-106. doi:https://doi.org/10.58229/jims.v1i1.32

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    Chen, W., & Yuan, X. (2021). Financial Inclusion in China: An Overview. Frontiers of Business Research in China, 15(1), 1-21. doi:https://doi.org/10.1186/s11782-021-00098-6

    Clarence, J., & Pertiwi, D. (2023). Financial Management Behavior among Students: The Influence of Digital Financial Literacy. International Journal of Financial and Investment Studies (IJFIS), 4(1), 9-16. doi:https://doi.org/10.9744/ijfis.4.1.9-16

    Ezekiel, J. S., & Nanfa, K. D. (2023). Customers Emotional Intelligence and Satisfaction: the Mediation of Bankers Emotional Labour. Annals of Human Resource Management Research, 3(2), 115-127. doi:https://doi.org/10.35912/ahrmr.v3i2.1839

    Faridah, N. Z., & Kuswati, R. (2024). Peran Kepercayaan sebagai Pemediasi Pengaruh Kegunaan, Keamanan, Kemudahan Terhadap Adopsi E-Wallet. Hirarki: Jurnal Ilmiah Manajemen dan Bisnis, 6(2), 55-77. doi:https://doi.org/10.30606/f90p2n87

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    Jonker, N., & Kosse, A. (2022). The Interplay of Financial Education, Financial Inclusion and Financial Stability and the Role of Big Tech. Contemporary Economic Policy, 40(4), 612-635. doi:https://doi.org/10.1111/coep.12578

    Kumar, P., Pillai, R., Kumar, N., & Tabash, M. I. (2023). The interplay of skills, digital financial literacy, capability, and autonomy in financial decision making and well-being. Borsa Istanbul Review, 23(1), 169-183. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bir.2022.09.012

    Mishra, D., Kandpal, V., Agarwal, N., & Srivastava, B. (2024). Financial Inclusion and Its Ripple Effects on Socio-Economic Development: A Comprehensive Review. Journal of Risk and Financial Management, 17(3), 1-20. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/jrfm17030105

    Muat, S., Fachrurrozi, F., & Sari, N. (2024). How do digital financial literacy, financial behavior, and skills affect financial well-being? An Exploratory Study on Gen Z. IJBE (Integrated Journal of Business and Economics), 8(1), 728-744. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.33019/ijbe.v8i1.851

    Natsir, K., Arifin, A. Z., & Ronald, R. (2023). Financial Inclusion in the Use of Digital Banking Services in Jakarta. International Journal of Application on Economics and Business, 1(4), 2477-2493. doi:https://doi.org/10.24912/ijaeb.v1i4.2477-2493

    Nelson, T., Rai, A., & Esplin, R. (2021). Overcoming the limitations of variable renewable production subsidies as a means of decarbonising electricity markets. Economic Analysis and Policy, 69, 544-556. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eap.2020.12.018

    Nugraheni, N. N. A., Kellen, P. B., & Rozari, P. E. d. (2022). The effect of financial behavior, financial literacy, and macroeconomics on stock investment decision-making in East Nusa Tenggara. Annals of Management and Organization Research, 3(1), 1-20. doi:https://doi.org/10.35912/amor.v3i1.1183

    Ray, S. (2022). Digital Financial Inclusion and Literacy from a G20 Perspective. doi:https://doi.org/10.56506/UXOQ1249

    Roa, L., Rodríguez-Rey, A., Correa-Bahnsen, A., & Arboleda, C. V. (2021). Supporting Financial Inclusion with Graph Machine Learning and Super-App Alternative Data. Intelligent Systems and Applications, 295, 216-230. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-82196-8_16

    Shahen, A. M., & Sharaf, M. F. (2025). The Role of Digital Payment Technologies in Promoting Financial Inclusion: A Systematic Literature Review. FinTech, 4(4), 1-18. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/fintech4040059

    Singh, S., & Ghatak, S. (2021). Investigating E-Wallet adoption in India: Extending the TAM model. International Journal of E-Business Research (IJEBR), 17(3), 1-13. doi:https://doi.org/10.4018/IJEBR.2021070103

    Udodiugwu, M. I., Nwosu, C. C., Obiakor, U. J., & Nwumeh, U. J. (2024). Motivation through Indirect Compensation: Evaluating Employee Performance in Enugu State Civil Service Commission. Annals of Human Resource Management Research, 4(2), 79-96. doi:https://doi.org/10.35912/ahrmr.v4i2.2320

    Zima, Z., Dharma, F., & Susilowati, R. Y. N. (2025). The Effect of Financial Literacy, Overconfidence, and Herding Behavior on Application-Based Investment Decisions. Goodwood Akuntansi dan Auditing Reviu, 4(1), 121-147. doi:https://doi.org/10.35912/gaar.v4i1.5587

  1. Adhikari, M., Ghimire, D. M., & Lama, A. D. (2024). FinTech and Financial Inclusion: Exploring the Mediating Role of Digital Financial Literacy in Enhancing Access to Financial Services. Journal of Emerging Management Studies, 1(2), 117-136. doi:https://doi.org/10.3126/jems.v1i2.71512
  2. Adula, M., Kant, S., & Birbirsa, Z. A. (2022). Systematic Literature Review on Human Resource Management’s Effect on Organization Performance. Annals of Human Resource Management Research, 2(2), 131-146. doi:https://doi.org/10.35912/ahrmr.v2i2.1418
  3. Akeju, K. F. (2022). Household financial behaviour: The role of financial inclusion instruments in Nigeria. Journal of Sustainable Finance & Investment, 1-13. doi:https://doi.org/10.1080/20430795.2022.2034595
  4. Amini, S. A., Wiralaga, H. K., & Sebayang, K. D. A. (2025). Pengaruh Literasi Keuangan, Penggunaan Digital Payment, dan Pendapatan terhadap Inklusi Keuangan di DKI Jakarta. Kajian Ekonomi dan Akuntansi Terapan, 2(2), 165-179. doi:https://doi.org/10.61132/keat.v2i2.1163
  5. Astutiek, D., & Sukesi, S. (2025). The Role of Kyai Leadership in Preventing Child Marriage Tradition to Strengthen Human Resources in Madura. Annals of Human Resource Management Research, 5(2), 335-350. doi:https://doi.org/10.35912/ahrmr.v5i2.3019
  6. Azzahra, T., & Afgani, K. F. (2023). The Impact of Super Apps Usage on Financial Literacy and Financial Behavior of Generation Z in Indonesia: A Literature Synthesis. Journal Integration of Management Studies, 1(1), 102-106. doi:https://doi.org/10.58229/jims.v1i1.32
  7. Berg, T., Burg, V., Gombovi?, A., & Puri, M. (2020). On the rise of fintechs: Credit scoring using digital footprints. The Review of Financial Studies, 33(7), 2845-2897. doi:https://doi.org/10.1093/rfs/hhz099
  8. Chawla, D., & Joshi, H. (2017). Consumer perspectives about mobile banking adoption in India–a cluster analysis. International Journal of Bank Marketing, 35(4), 616-636. doi:https://doi.org/10.1108/IJBM-03-2016-0037
  9. Chen, W., & Yuan, X. (2021). Financial Inclusion in China: An Overview. Frontiers of Business Research in China, 15(1), 1-21. doi:https://doi.org/10.1186/s11782-021-00098-6
  10. Clarence, J., & Pertiwi, D. (2023). Financial Management Behavior among Students: The Influence of Digital Financial Literacy. International Journal of Financial and Investment Studies (IJFIS), 4(1), 9-16. doi:https://doi.org/10.9744/ijfis.4.1.9-16
  11. Ezekiel, J. S., & Nanfa, K. D. (2023). Customers Emotional Intelligence and Satisfaction: the Mediation of Bankers Emotional Labour. Annals of Human Resource Management Research, 3(2), 115-127. doi:https://doi.org/10.35912/ahrmr.v3i2.1839
  12. Faridah, N. Z., & Kuswati, R. (2024). Peran Kepercayaan sebagai Pemediasi Pengaruh Kegunaan, Keamanan, Kemudahan Terhadap Adopsi E-Wallet. Hirarki: Jurnal Ilmiah Manajemen dan Bisnis, 6(2), 55-77. doi:https://doi.org/10.30606/f90p2n87
  13. Febrianty, F., Yuliansyah, Y., Hamzah, R. S., & Annisa, M. L. (2024). Gender Issues in Digital Financial Literacy and Financial Behavior among Millennials. Jurnal Economia, 20(1), 79-94. doi:https://doi.org/10.21831/economia.v20i1.56529
  14. Geraldes, H. S. A., Gama, A. P. M., & Augusto, M. (2022). Reaching Financial Inclusion: Necessary and Sufficient Conditions. Social Indicators Research, 162(2), 599-617. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s11205-021-02850-0
  15. Gumilar, D., Sangka, K., & Totalia, S. (2024). Digital Financial Literacy and Digital Financial Inclusion in the Era of Digital Disruption: Systematic Literature Review. Formosa Journal of Multidisciplinary Research, 3, 1563-1576. doi:https://doi.org/10.55927/fjmr.v3i5.9213
  16. Hartono, J., Brian, K., Ferdian, E., Valentino, J., Felix, V., & Linawati, N. (2025). Dampak Pandemi Covid-19 terhadap Percepatan Transformasi Digital di Sektor Perbankan Indonesia. Jurnal Ekonomi, Manajemen, Akuntansi dan Keuangan, 6(3), 1-12. doi:https://doi.org/10.53697/emak.v6i3.2459
  17. Irfantiyardi, K. N., & Prabowo, F. S. A. (2024). Evaluasi Konten Aplikasi Satusehat Menggunakan Mobile Appalication Rating Scale (Mars) dari Prespektif Generasi Z. Jurnal Indonesia: Manajemen Informatika dan Komunikasi, 5(1), 107-119. doi:https://doi.org/10.35870/jimik.v5i1.435
  18. Jonker, N., & Kosse, A. (2022). The Interplay of Financial Education, Financial Inclusion and Financial Stability and the Role of Big Tech. Contemporary Economic Policy, 40(4), 612-635. doi:https://doi.org/10.1111/coep.12578
  19. Kumar, P., Pillai, R., Kumar, N., & Tabash, M. I. (2023). The interplay of skills, digital financial literacy, capability, and autonomy in financial decision making and well-being. Borsa Istanbul Review, 23(1), 169-183. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bir.2022.09.012
  20. Mishra, D., Kandpal, V., Agarwal, N., & Srivastava, B. (2024). Financial Inclusion and Its Ripple Effects on Socio-Economic Development: A Comprehensive Review. Journal of Risk and Financial Management, 17(3), 1-20. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/jrfm17030105
  21. Muat, S., Fachrurrozi, F., & Sari, N. (2024). How do digital financial literacy, financial behavior, and skills affect financial well-being? An Exploratory Study on Gen Z. IJBE (Integrated Journal of Business and Economics), 8(1), 728-744. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.33019/ijbe.v8i1.851
  22. Natsir, K., Arifin, A. Z., & Ronald, R. (2023). Financial Inclusion in the Use of Digital Banking Services in Jakarta. International Journal of Application on Economics and Business, 1(4), 2477-2493. doi:https://doi.org/10.24912/ijaeb.v1i4.2477-2493
  23. Nelson, T., Rai, A., & Esplin, R. (2021). Overcoming the limitations of variable renewable production subsidies as a means of decarbonising electricity markets. Economic Analysis and Policy, 69, 544-556. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eap.2020.12.018
  24. Nugraheni, N. N. A., Kellen, P. B., & Rozari, P. E. d. (2022). The effect of financial behavior, financial literacy, and macroeconomics on stock investment decision-making in East Nusa Tenggara. Annals of Management and Organization Research, 3(1), 1-20. doi:https://doi.org/10.35912/amor.v3i1.1183
  25. Ray, S. (2022). Digital Financial Inclusion and Literacy from a G20 Perspective. doi:https://doi.org/10.56506/UXOQ1249
  26. Roa, L., Rodríguez-Rey, A., Correa-Bahnsen, A., & Arboleda, C. V. (2021). Supporting Financial Inclusion with Graph Machine Learning and Super-App Alternative Data. Intelligent Systems and Applications, 295, 216-230. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-82196-8_16
  27. Shahen, A. M., & Sharaf, M. F. (2025). The Role of Digital Payment Technologies in Promoting Financial Inclusion: A Systematic Literature Review. FinTech, 4(4), 1-18. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/fintech4040059
  28. Singh, S., & Ghatak, S. (2021). Investigating E-Wallet adoption in India: Extending the TAM model. International Journal of E-Business Research (IJEBR), 17(3), 1-13. doi:https://doi.org/10.4018/IJEBR.2021070103
  29. Udodiugwu, M. I., Nwosu, C. C., Obiakor, U. J., & Nwumeh, U. J. (2024). Motivation through Indirect Compensation: Evaluating Employee Performance in Enugu State Civil Service Commission. Annals of Human Resource Management Research, 4(2), 79-96. doi:https://doi.org/10.35912/ahrmr.v4i2.2320
  30. Zima, Z., Dharma, F., & Susilowati, R. Y. N. (2025). The Effect of Financial Literacy, Overconfidence, and Herding Behavior on Application-Based Investment Decisions. Goodwood Akuntansi dan Auditing Reviu, 4(1), 121-147. doi:https://doi.org/10.35912/gaar.v4i1.5587