QRIS as a Digital Financial Infrastructure: Multidimensional Analysis of Adoption and Financial Inclusion in Indonesian MSMEs

Abstract

The rapid expansion of financial technology has accelerated the global transition toward digital payment systems, particularly in developing economies. In Indonesia, the Quick Response Code Indonesian Standard (QRIS), introduced by Bank Indonesia, represents a strategic policy innovation designed to unify fragmented QR-based payment services into a single interoperable national standard. Despite growing adoption, prior studies have predominantly focused on consumer-side behavior, leaving the systemic role of QRIS as a financial infrastructure enabling MSME inclusion and formalization underexamined. This study aims to analyze the multidimensional role of QRIS in promoting financial inclusion and accelerating the digital transformation of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Indonesia. Employing a qualitative descriptive approach, this research synthesizes secondary data from institutional reports, government publications, and peer-reviewed academic literature through thematic analysis within an interpretive framework. The findings indicate that QRIS expands financial access, improves transaction transparency, strengthens business record-keeping, and enhances MSME competitiveness, while also facilitating their integration into the formal financial ecosystem. However, challenges persist, including unequal digital literacy, infrastructure disparities, and varying MSME readiness. This study concludes that QRIS functions not merely as a payment instrument but as a strategic financial infrastructure supporting inclusive economic growth. The findings carry practical implications for policymakers, financial institutions, and business stakeholders in designing more inclusive and sustainable digital economy policies.