| Title: | Unpacking societal barriers to technology adoption: a multi-theoretical analysis of user behavior in last mile delivery applications in urban developing contexts |
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| Authors: | ID Sultan, Mohamed Amr (Author)
ID Ali, Ahmed Hussein (Author)
ID Barakat, Mahmoud (Author)
ID Kramberger, Tomaž (Author) |
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| Files: |  RAZ_Sultan_Mohamed_Amr_2026.pdf (781,44 KB)
MD5: 684D15090CDE8B4FBC7C099862894956
 https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-026-07096-0
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| Language: | English |
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| Work type: | Article |
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| Typology: | 1.01 - Original Scientific Article |
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| Organization: | FL - Faculty of Logistic
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| Abstract: | Last-mile delivery (LMD) applications are expanding rapidly in developing urban contexts; however, technology adoption and continued use remain uneven due to societal and geographic barriers. This study investigates how digital literacy-related capabilities and constraints impact LMD app adoption outcomes in Alexandria, with a focus on user behavior as a mediator and district-level differences as a contextual moderator. A cross-sectional survey was conducted across Alexandria’s East, Middle, and West districts (N = 2120). The measurement and structural models were evaluated using covariance-based structural equation modeling (CB-SEM) in AMOS, which included confirmatory factor analysis, model fit assessment, and multi-group comparisons across districts. The results indicate that digital literacy-related constructs significantly shape user behavior toward LMD apps, which in turn influences subjective well-being and social inclusion. Indirect effects reveal both beneficial and potentially adverse pathways, highlighting the paradoxical role of digital literacy. Districtlevel comparisons indicate meaningful geographic variation in key relationships. By integrating UTAUT and SST, this study explains LMD adoption as both a technological and socially embedded process. The findings offer implications for platform design and public policy aimed at reducing intra-city adoption inequalities and strengthening inclusive digital participation. |
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| Keywords: | last mile delivery (LMD) applications, societal barriers, user behavior, social shaping of technology (SST), unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT), digital inclusion |
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| Publication status: | Published |
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| Publication version: | Version of Record |
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| Submitted for review: | 28.10.2025 |
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| Article acceptance date: | 12.03.2026 |
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| Publication date: | 11.06.2026 |
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| Year of publishing: | 2026 |
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| Number of pages: | str. 1-20 |
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| Numbering: | Letn. 13, [št. članka] 962 |
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| PID: | 20.500.12556/DKUM-98861  |
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| UDC: | 519.8:658.8:004.7 |
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| ISSN on article: | 2662-9992 |
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| COBISS.SI-ID: | 284702467 |
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| DOI: | 10.1057/s41599-026-07096-0 |
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| Publication date in DKUM: | 14.07.2026 |
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| Views: | 271 |
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| Downloads: | 2 |
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| Metadata: |    |
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| Categories: | Misc.
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