Digital payment adoption, business transition, and socioeconomic upliftment among street vendors: evidence from Delhi-NCR

Abstract

This study explores the impact of digital payment adoption and blockchain-based supply chains on the integration of street vendors from Delhi-NCR into global e-commerce. The goal is to examine the potential of digital technologies in supporting business transition and socioeconomic improvement for informal-sector vendors. A mixed-method research design was employed, involving purposive sampling of 250 street vendors engaged in digital payment ecosystems. Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) was used to examine hypothesized relationships between digital adoption, business transition, and socioeconomic outcomes. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) addressed multicollinearity, and non-linear predictive relationships were analysed using Random Forest modelling. The findings reveal that digital adoption has a significant impact on business transition ( β = 0.64, p < 0.001), which, in turn, has a strong impact on socioeconomic upliftment ( β = 0.58, p < 0.001). Digital adoption also has a direct impact on socioeconomic outcomes that is positive but smaller ( β = 0.21, p = 0.033), suggesting partial mediation. Measurement reliability, validity, and predictive relevance were confirmed through structural model assessments. Digital payments have a limited direct impact on international trade, although they enable vendor inclusion and business transformation. By contrast, blockchain-based supply chain factors greatly enhance the efficiency of logistics, transparency, and supply chain-related performance. The study finds no direct income effects of digital technologies; instead, empowerment operates through entrepreneurial transition. The findings illustrate the need to go beyond financial inclusion and technological infrastructure to ensure the dynamic participation of the informal sector in global markets.