Digital payment, Sharia economics, and international student experiences

Abstract

This study examines the role of the Indonesian Standard Quick Response Code (QRIS) as an innovative medium for delivering Islamic economic education to international students from Thailand and China studying in Indonesia. Using a qualitative case study design, data were collected through in-depth interviews, participatory observation, and document analysis. The findings reveal that students’ primary motivation for adopting QRISs is educational–pragmatic, encompassing transaction convenience, time efficiency, exposure to Islamic economic values embedded within the digital payment interface, and social encouragement to engage in an inclusive Islamic economic ecosystem. Furthermore, the use of QRISs contributes to a gradual transformation in students’ consumption behavior, which aligns more closely with sharia-compliant principles such as moderation, transparency, and ethical financial practices. However, the effectiveness of QRISs as educational tools is constrained by several digital literacy challenges. These include a limited understanding of Islamic economic concepts within the Indonesian sociocultural context, inadequate integration of the cross-border banking system, disparities in digital infrastructure, and restricted access to financial services. This study highlights the potential of digital payment systems as pedagogical instruments in Islamic economics while emphasizing the need for integrated digital literacy development and policy support to enhance inclusive financial education for international students.