WHAT DRIVES INVESTMENT DECISIONS? EXAMINING THE ROLES OF DIGITAL FINANCIAL LITERACY, COGNITIVE ABILITY, AND RISK TOLERANCE THROUGH INTENTION TO INVEST

Authors

  • Reza Dwi Fauzhi Universitas Muhammadiyah Purwokerto, Indonesia
  • Maulida Nurul Innayah Universitas Muhammadiyah Purwokerto
  • Herni Justiana Astuti Universitas Muhammadiyah Purwokerto, Indonesia
  • Purnadi Purnadi Universitas Muhammadiyah Purwokerto, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31539/cavq0826

Keywords:

Literasi Keuangan Digital; Kemampuan Kognitif; Toleransi Risiko; Niat Berinvestasi; Keputusan Investasi

Abstract

Investment decision-making has become increasingly important as participation in digital investment platforms continues to grow. This study aims to examine the influence of digital financial literacy, cognitive ability, and risk tolerance on investment decisions, with intention to invest as a mediating variable. Drawing on the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) and Prospect Theory, this study employed a quantitative research design using a cross-sectional survey. Data were collected from 151 respondents through purposive sampling and analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The results reveal that digital financial literacy and cognitive ability have positive and significant effects on investment decisions, whereas risk tolerance has no significant effect on investment decision. Intention to invest also has a positive and significant effect on investment decisions. Similarly, intention to invest mediated the relationship between digital financial literacy and cognitive ability on investment decisions, but does not to mediate the relationship between risk tolerance and investment decisions. By integrating digital financial literacy, cognitive ability, and risk tolerance within the TPB and Prospect Theory framework, this study provides a better understanding of investment decision-making among regional investors. The findings also offer practical implications for policymakers, financial educators, and financial institutions in designing programs to improve the quality of individual investment decisions.

References

Adiputra, G. (2021). The Influence of Overconfidence, Representative Bias, and Risk Tolerance in Investment Decision Making: Evidence on Stock Investors in Indonesia. In Journal of Hunan University(Natural Sciences) (Vol. 48, Number 4).

Ahmad, M. (2024). The role of cognitive heuristic-driven biases in investment management activities and market efficiency: a research synthesis. International Journal of Emerging Markets, 19(2), 273–321. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJOEM-07-2020-0749

Aisa, N. N. (2021). Do Financial Literacy and Technology Affect Intention to Invest in the Capital Market in the Early Pandemic Period? Journal of Accounting and Investment, 23(1), 49–65. https://doi.org/10.18196/jai.v23i1.12517

Ajzen, I. (1991). The Theory of Planned Behavior.

Akhter, T., & Hoque, M. E. (2022). Moderating Effects of Financial Cognitive Abilities and Considerations on the Attitude–Intentions Nexus of Stock Market Participation. International Journal of Financial Studies, 10(1). https://doi.org/10.3390/IJFS10010005

Anatasya, P. S., & Innayah, M. N. (2025). Understanding Young Generation’s Saving Behavior: The Role of Multidimensional Financial Literacy, Materialism and Financial Inclusion. Paradoks : Jurnal Ilmu Ekonomi, 8(4), 187–205. https://doi.org/10.57178/paradoks.v8i4.1721

Bai, R. (2023). Impact of financial literacy, mental budgeting and selfcontrol on financial wellbeing: Mediating impact of investment decision making. PLoS ONE, 18(11 November). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0294466

Baihaqqi, I. K., & Prajawati, M. I. (2023). Pengaruh Risk Tolerance dan Religiusitas terhadap Keputusan Investasi dengan Literasi Keuangan sebagai Variabel Moderasi. Ekonomi, Keuangan, Investasi Dan Syariah (EKUITAS), 4(3), 960–968. https://doi.org/10.47065/ekuitas.v4i3.2448

Besri, A. A. O., Husni, T., & Rahim, R. (2023). Pengaruh Financial Literacy, Religiusitas, Investment Knowledge terhadap Pengambilan Keputusan Investasi melalui Investment Intention sebagai Variabel Intervening. Jurnal Informatika Ekonomi Bisnis, 1350–1354. https://doi.org/10.37034/infeb.v5i4.690

Bhat, S. A., Lone, U. M., SivaKumar, A. K., & Krishna, U. M. G. (2025). Digital financial literacy and financial well-being – evidence from India. International Journal of Bank Marketing, 43(3), 522–548. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJBM-05-2024-0320

Candera, M., Safitri, E., RZ Muhammad Ferdi Saputra, & Kasuwara, C. (2026). Knowledge to Action: How Digital Financial Literacy Shapes Investment Decisions of Generation Z Through Fintech. Jurnal Reviu Akuntansi Dan Keuangan, 16(2). https://doi.org/10.22219/jrak.v16i2.42776

Cohen, J. (n.d.). Statistical Power Analysis for the Behavioral Sciences Second Edition.

Dan, F., & Handoyo, S. E. (2021). Pengaruh Ekspektasi Pengembalian, Toleransi Risiko, Dan Efikasi Diri Terhadap Minat Investasi Saham.

Demir, S., & Uşak, M. (2025). Analyzing the Implementation of PLS-SEM in Educational Technology Research: A Review of the Past 10 Years. In SAGE Open (Vol. 15, Number 2). SAGE Publications Inc. https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440251345950

Fatihudin, D., Sayekti, F. N., Sukarana, M., Sulandjari, R., & Tahu, G. P. (2026). The Impact of Digital Financial Literacy on Investment Decisions in Mutual Funds and Money Markets among Millennials. Jurnal Ilmiah Manajemen Kesatuan, 14(2), 2217–2228. https://doi.org/10.37641/jimkes.v14i2.5142

Fornell, C., & Larcker, D. F. (1981). Evaluating Structural Equation Models with Unobservable Variables and Measurement Error. Journal of Marketing Research, 18(1), 39–50. https://doi.org/10.1177/002224378101800104

Furinto, A., Tamara, D., Yenni, & Rahman, N. J. (2023). Financial and digital literacy effects on digital investment decision mediated by perceived socio-economic status. E3S Web of Conferences, 426. https://doi.org/10.1051/e3sconf/202342602076

Gottferdeson, L. s. (1994). Mainstream Science on Intelligence.

Grable, J., & Lytton, R. H. (2000). Financial risk tolerance revisited: the development of a risk assessment instrument.

Grable, J., Rabbani, A., & Heo, W. (2024). The Complementary Nature of Financial Risk Aversion and Financial Risk Tolerance. Risks, 12(7). https://doi.org/10.3390/risks12070109

Hair, J., & Alamer, A. (2022). Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) in second language and education research: Guidelines using an applied example. Research Methods in Applied Linguistics, 1(3). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rmal.2022.100027

Hair, J., Hult, Ringle, & Sarstedt. (2022). A Primer on Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) Third Edition.

Haqqani, K., Aleem, M., Mahmood, S., Iqbal, A., El-kenawy, E. S. M., & Alharbi, A. H. (2025). Examining the mediating role of risk aversion and the moderating role of demographics in the relationship between personality traits and investment decisions. Acta Psychologica, 259. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actpsy.2025.105411

Hendarto, K., Anastasia, N., & Basana, S. R. (2021). The Effect of Financial Literacy, Financial Risk Tolerance, and Financial Socialization Agents on Stock Investment Decision in The Millennial Generation. Petra International Journal of Business Studies, 4(1), 11–22. https://doi.org/10.9744/ijbs.4.1.11-22

Henseler, J., Hubona, G., & Ray, P. A. (2016). Using PLS path modeling in new technology research: Updated guidelines. Industrial Management and Data Systems, 116(1), 2–20. https://doi.org/10.1108/IMDS-09-2015-0382

Hidayat, R., Respati, indah, Mayangsari, A. suta, & Suci, riska katika. (2024). Integrasi Teori Pengambilan Keputusan dengan Pendekatan Behavioral Economics. Jurnal Ilmiah Multidisiplin, 73–83.

Hommel, B., Anderson, I., Thoma, V., & Krawczyk, D. C. (2023). OPEN ACCESS EDITED AND REVIEWED BY Editorial: Improving financial decisions. https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/financialinclusion/overview

Hussain, S., & Rasheed, A. (2022). Empirical Study on Financial Literacy, Investors’ Personality, Overconfidence Bias and Investment Decisions and Risk Tolerance as Mediator Factor. https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-2005225/v1

Kahneman, D., & Tversky, amos. (1979). Prospect Theory: Decision R Es E A R C H ’A Branch Of Percep Iron Ics Dar ~ eI K:hn:man ii.

Karundeng, M., Siagian, K., Hutabarat, V., & Pangaribuan, F. (2024). The Impact of Financial Literacy and Digital Awareness on Investment Intentions. Ilomata International Journal of Tax Anad Accounting, 5(1), 280–291. https://doi.org/10.52728/ijtc.v5i1.1014

Khan, M. R., Ali Khan, M., Askari, M., Ali, Q., & Shoukat, R. (2022). Title: Evaluation of the Impact of Risk Tolerance and Financial Literacy on Investment Intentions of Securities Investors in Pakistan using the Theory of Planned Behavior (TBP) History: Citation. Empirical Economic Review (EER), 5(1). https://doi.org/10.29145/eer.51.05

Kholifah, S., Nurul Innayah, M., Tubastuvi, N., & Nazah, N. (2025). Religiosity, Attitudes, and Financial Literacy as Predictors of Saving Behavior: The Mediating Role of Saving Intention among Muslim Young Generation. In Jurnal Ekonomi Pembangunan (Vol. 23, Number 02).

Kristian, J., & Setyawan, I. R. (2024). Jonathan Kristian(2024). Jurnal Manajemen Bisnis Dan Kewirausahaan, 468–482.

KSEI. (2024). Pertumbuhan Investor. https://doi.org/10.311.152

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. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bir.2022.09.012

Kusumahadi, T. A., & Utami, N. (2022). Teknologi Finansial, Literasi Keuangan, dan Keputusan Investasi Produk Reksa Dana di Indonesia. Jurnal Manajemen Maranatha, 21(2), 177–186. https://doi.org/10.28932/jmm.v21i2.4631

Lamichhane, P., & Simkhada, A. (2024). Risk Tolerance, Overconfidence and Investment Decisions in Nepal. Journal of General Education and Humanities, 3(2), 227–240. https://doi.org/10.58421/gehu.v3i2.244

Mahmood, F., Arshad, R., Khan, S., Afzal, A., & Bashir, M. (2024). Impact of behavioral biases on investment decisions and the moderation effect of financial literacy; an evidence of Pakistan. Acta Psychologica, 247. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actpsy.2024.104303

Maulana, H., Ulya, A. Z. S., Syahruddin, S., Abadi, M. K. R., Hastuti, E. W., & Harahap, S. A. R. (2025). Factors affecting investment decision in Indonesia: Mediating role of intention to invest. Jurnal Ekonomi & Keuangan Islam, 241–257. https://doi.org/10.20885/jeki.vol11.iss2.art6

Moradzadeh, moslem, kord, baqer, ghasemi, mohammad, yaghoubi, nour mohammad, & rigi koteh, behzad. (2022). The relationship between cognitive abilities and decision making behavior of exchange investors mediated by financial self-efficacy and financial literacy. The Journal of Psychological Science, 21(116), 1563–1580. https://doi.org/10.52547/JPS.21.116.1562

Murini, widyatmoko, Djauhari, M., Idris, N., & Suroso, A. (2023). Jurnal Sistim Informasi dan Teknologi https://jsisfotek.org/index.php Analysis of The Influence of Digital Financial Literacy, Digital Platforms, Return and Accountability on Public Intention to Invest Outside Java. 5(4). https://doi.org/10.60083/jsisfotek.v5i4.313

Mushafiq, M., Khalid, S., Sohail, M. K., & Sehar, T. (2023). Exploring the relationship between investment choices, cognitive abilities risk attitudes and financial literacy. Journal of Economic and Administrative Sciences, 39(4), 1122–1136. https://doi.org/10.1108/JEAS-07-2021-0130

Nababan, R. S., & Zaenuddin, M. (2024). Peran Minat Investasi dalam Memediasi Pengaruh Literasi Keuangan dan Pengetahuan Investasi Terhadap Keputusan Investasi (Studi Pada Mahasiswa Akuntansi Manajerial Politeknik Negeri Batam).

OECD/INFE survey instrument to measure digital financial literacy. (n.d.).

OJK. (2025a). SIARAN PERS BERSAMA.

OJK. (2025b). Siaran Pers: OJK Dorong Generasi Muda Jadi Motor Pertumbuhan Investor Pasar Modal. https://www.ojk.go.id/id/berita-dan-kegiatan/siaran-pers/Pages/OJK-Dorong-Generasi-Muda-Jadi-Motor-Pertumbuhan-Investor-Pasar-Modal.aspx

OJK. (2026). Siaran Pers: Penguatan Ketahanan dan Integritas Sektor Jasa Keuangan Mendukung Stabilitas Sistem Keuangan. https://ojk.go.id/id/berita-dan-kegiatan/siaran-pers/Pages/RDKB-Feb-2026.aspx?utm_

OJK, & BPS. (2024). SNLIK.

Ortega, S. L., & Pramita, R. A. S. (2023). Pengaruh Literasi Keuangan, Kemajuan Teknologi, Pelatihan Pasar Modal, Dan Motivasi Terhadap Minat Investasi Di Pasar Modal. Sibatik Journal: Jurnal Ilmiah Bidang Sosial, Ekonomi, Budaya, Teknologi, Dan Pendidikan, 2(2), 709–726. https://doi.org/10.54443/sibatik.v2i2.648

Ostrovsky, T. M., Heinke, S., Andraszewicz, S., & Rieskamp, J. (2022). Cognitive abilities affect decision errors but not risk preferences: A meta-analysis. In Psychonomic Bulletin and Review (Vol. 29, Number 5, pp. 1719–1750). Springer. https://doi.org/10.3758/s13423-021-02053-1

Pariyanti, E., Desastra, Y. Z., & Rinannika. (2025). Model Literasi Finansial Digital Dan Mediasi Pengetahuan Finansial Dalam Keputusan Investasi: Studi Pada Generasi Z Di Lampung. Jurnal Fidusia.

Putri, G. D., Purwidianti, W., Innayah, M. N., & Alfalisyado. (2023). Investment Decisions: Are Financial Knowledge, Risk Tolerance and Experience Important? South Asian Journal of Social Studies and Economics, 20(4), 250–260. https://doi.org/10.9734/sajsse/2023/v20i4756

Rahardin, A. J. P., Nurul Innayah, M., Purwidianti, W., & Hidayah, A. (2026). Internal Locus of Control and Spiritual Intelligence as Drivers of Young Generation’s Financial Behaviour: A Gender Differences Analysis. 15(2), 574–593. https://doi.org/10.30588/jmp.v15i2.2572

Rahmayanti, P. L. D., Sasrawan, I. P. H., & Yasa, N. N. K. (2025). Decoding Investment Intentions: Uncovering How Risk Tolerance, Financial Literacy, and Subjective Norms Drive Students to Begin Stock Investing. Asian Journal of Economics, Business and Accounting, 25(2), 157–166. https://doi.org/10.9734/ajeba/2025/v25i21671

ANTARA News. (2026.). Retrieved June 26, 2026, from https://www.antaranews.com/berita/3965730/realisasi-investasi-di-banyumas-tahun-2023-capai-rp199-triliun?utm_

Rohani, A. S. P. (2023). Pengaruh Financial Literacy, Risk Perception Dan Experienced Regret Terhadap Investment Decision. 05(03), 732–741.

Sari, T. N. I., Mawardi, M. C., & Anwar, S. A. (2024). Pengaruh Persepsi Risiko, Toleransi Risiko, Overconfidence, dan Loss Aversion Terhadap Pengambilan Keputusan Investasi. In e_Jurnal Ilmiah Riset Akuntansi (Vol. 13, Number 01). http://jim.unisma.ac.id/index.php/jra,

Shabrina Anwar, Q. R. S. (2025). Pengaruh Pengalaman Investasi dan Risk Tolerance Terhadap Keputusan Investasi Dengan Minat Investasi Sebagai Variabel Intervening Pada Ibu Ibu Rumah Tangga Di Kecamatan Sei Balai. Bursa: Jurnal Ekonomi Dan Bisnis.

Siaran Pers: Kasus Penipuan Berkedok Investasi di Purwokerto, OJK Minta Korban Segera Melapor. (n.d.). Retrieved June 26, 2026, from https://www.ojk.go.id/id/berita-dan-kegiatan/siaran-pers/Pages/Kasus-Penipuan-Berkedok-Investasi-di-Purwokerto,-OJK-Minta-Korban-Segera-Melapor-.aspx

SIARAN PERS : Waspada Dugaan Pendekatan Door To Door Terhadap Nasabah Korban Kasus Mandiri Taspen - Peradi SAI Purwokerto. (n.d.). Retrieved July 14, 2026, fromhttps://www.peradisaipurwokerto.org/2026/06/siaran-pers-waspada-dugaanpendekatan.html

Ullah, R., Bin Ismail, H., & Ali Zeb. (2025). Financial_cognitive_ability_dimensions_and_investo.

Utami, E. M., Yuliani, R., & Pesakovic, G. (2025). Financial Knowledge And Social Influence On Generation Z Intention To Invest: The Mediating Role Of Financial Attitude And Literacy. Media Ekonomi Dan Manajemen, 40, 121–147.

Wahyuni, S., Afriani, D., Isnurhadi, I., & Yuliani, Y. (2023). Program Studi Manajemen Universitas Muhammadiyah Gresik Jawa Timur Indonesia Bukti Peran Perilaku Keuangan Sebagai Pemediasi dalam Literasi Keuangan, Risk Tolerance dan Keputusan Investasi. Jurnal Manajerial, 10. https://doi.org/10.30587/manajerial.v10i03.6271

Yulandreano, E., & Rita, M. R. (2023). Investment Decisions on the Crowdfunding Platform Based on the Theory of Planned Behavior. Jurnal Manajemen Bisnis, 14(1), 36–52. https://doi.org/10.18196/mb.v14i1.16494

Yuliani, Y., Taufik, T., & Malinda, S. (2024). Intention to Invest has a High Impact on Decision Making? New Contribution to the Planning Field of Financial behavior in Indonesia. Finance: Theory and Practice, 28(6), 196–209. https://doi.org/10.26794/2587-5671-2024-28-6-1252-02

Zaen, M., Nurul Innayah, M., Purwidianti, W., Aryoko, Y. P., & Id, M. A. (2024). Factors Affecting Financial Management Behavior of Millennial Generation: The Role of Financial Attitude, Financial Literacy, Locus of Control, and Financial Knowledge. Human Resource Management JENIUS, 8(1), 22–33. https://doi.org/10.32493/JJDP.v8i1.42859

Downloads

Published

2026-08-10