Investigate the Cashless Trend Dissertation 2022

Running head: DISSERTATION
Investigate the Cashless Trend and its Impact on Small Charities for Raising Money
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author’s Note:

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Acknowledgement
Thank you to all of those who have helped listened and encouraged me throughout this study. I
am indebted to my supervisor ……………………. whose guidance, advice and patience have
been immeasurable. My sincere thanks to all members of the…………… [Mention your
university/college name], both staff and students, whose continuous support have made this
thesis possible.
I would like to thank all of the participants in the study: students, teachers and Local Education
Authorities, for the time and help given throughout. Without their participation, this research
would not have been possible. In this context, I am also thankful to them, whose research work
helped me to execute this paper well.
Finally, I thank my family, without whom this thesis would not have been started or completed!
Your encouragement and support have never faltered; thank you.

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Abstract
The aim of the research is to investigate the cashless trend and its impact on small charities for
raising money. The survey also highlighted that only 19% of the donations are made using the
online platform while 53% of the donations are done by cash that imposes severe challenges.
Cashless trend in charity fundraising also imposes challenges such as hacking and loss of
personal information. But still cashless trend is grabbing attention because of the benefits it has
to offer and cannot be denied. This research will help to understand about the cashless trend
more effectively that will in turn help in analyzing the benefits and challenges it has for the
charities supporting this trend.
Positivism philosophy, descriptive research design and probability sampling technique has been
used that allowed 50 employees out of all the employees of charities to share their views about
the reason cashless trend is getting more recognition compared to manual fund rising. From the
data analysis, it can be inferred that cashless trend is indeed a blessings for the charities and fund
raising activities. This is because people feel more secured in donating money with the belief that
the fund is going to the right places and will be used rightfully. Moreover, with cashless trend,
the money of the individuals is safe and serves the right purpose without being misplaced.
However, the challenges that come with it cannot be ignored and needs to be worked on.

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Table of Contents
Chap 1: Introduction........................................................................................................................7
1.0 Overview...........................................................................................................................7
1.1 Problem statement.................................................................................................................7
1.2 Research aim..........................................................................................................................8
1.3 Research objectives...............................................................................................................8
1.4 Research questions.................................................................................................................8
1.5 Research rationale..................................................................................................................9
1.6 Conceptual framework and primary research methods.......................................................10
1.7 Summary of the overall structure........................................................................................11
Chapter 2: Literature review..........................................................................................................12
2.0 Overview..............................................................................................................................12
2.1 Cashless trend......................................................................................................................12
2.2 Factors influencing the emerging needs of cashless trends.................................................13
2.3 Challenges faced in raising money manually for charities..................................................13
2.4 Benefits of adopting cashless trends for charities................................................................14
2.5 Obstacles of adopting cashless trend for charities...............................................................15
2.6 Impact of cashless society on charitable donations.............................................................15
2.7 Initiatives undertaken by organizations to support cashless trends for charities.................16

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2.7.1 Governments.................................................................................................................16
2.7.2 Banks............................................................................................................................16
2.7.3 Credits and debit cards..................................................................................................17
2.7.4 Charities........................................................................................................................17
2.8 Summary..............................................................................................................................17
Chapter 3: Research methodology.................................................................................................19
3.0 Overview..............................................................................................................................19
3.1 Research philosophy............................................................................................................19
3.2 Research design...................................................................................................................20
3.3 Sampling..............................................................................................................................21
3.4 Ethics...................................................................................................................................22
3.5 Limitations...........................................................................................................................23
3.6 Summary..............................................................................................................................23
Chapter 4: Data analysis................................................................................................................24
4.0 Overview..............................................................................................................................24
4.1 Findings...............................................................................................................................24
4.2 Summary..............................................................................................................................35
Chapter 5: Discussions..................................................................................................................36
5.0 Overview..............................................................................................................................36
5.1 Findings and interpretations................................................................................................36

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5.2 Summary..............................................................................................................................38
Chapter 6: Conclusion and recommendations...............................................................................39
6.0 Conclusion...........................................................................................................................39
6.1 Linking with objectives.......................................................................................................39
6.2 Recommendations................................................................................................................41
6.3 Future scope of the study.....................................................................................................41
References......................................................................................................................................43
Appendix 1.....................................................................................................................................48
Survey questions........................................................................................................................48

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List of Figures
Figure 1: Conceptual framework...................................................................................................10
Figure 2: Gender specification.......................................................................................................24
Figure 3: Age group.......................................................................................................................25
Figure 4: Association with charities..............................................................................................26
Figure 5: Part time or full time employment with charities...........................................................26
Figure 6: Awareness about cashless trend in charities..................................................................27
Figure 7: Increased donations with cashless trend........................................................................28
Figure 8: Effectiveness of cashless................................................................................................28
Figure 9: Authenticity of bank accounts........................................................................................29
Figure 10: Increased demand of cashless trend.............................................................................29
Figure 11: Issues with manual fund collection..............................................................................30
Figure 12: Challenges of raising funds manually..........................................................................31
Figure 13: Benefits of cashless trend.............................................................................................31
Figure 14: Types of benefits of going cashless.............................................................................32
Figure 15: Challenges of adopting cashless by charities...............................................................32
Figure 16: Methods of overcoming cashless challenges...............................................................33
Figure 17: Initiatives taken by organizations.................................................................................34
Figure 18: List of organizations taking initiatives.........................................................................34

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Chap 1: Introduction
1.0 Overview
A cashless trend or society in fundraising might sound something like science science fiction
but the world is heading in that way in a fast pace. Numerous powerful forces are present for
making the cashless trend in fundraising for charities a success such as financial enterprise and
governments (Olive 2015). However, on the contrary, it is difficult to reach there because of
potential challenges such as exposing of personal information, hacking and additional fee charge
(Clifford and Mohan 2016). The cashless trend in fundraising for charities is said to be donations
made by the individuals using electronic media such as credit and debit cards instead of handing
over cash directly. Digital fundraising or cashless trend is proposing and creating new ways for
charities to raise money because charities need money for working and fulfilling the ultimate
purpose of serving good to the society (Crow, Mathmann and Greer 2019).
1.1 Problem statement
Though the trend is rising and grabbing attention, following and adopting the cashless
trend is not possible for all the charities while raising money. This is because not all charities
have access to technology. According to Charities Aid Foundation’s 2019 Charity Landscape
Survey, only 29% of the charities have effective leverage technology. The survey also
highlighted that only 19% of the donations are made using the online platform while 53% of the
donations are done by cash that imposes severe challenges (Medium 2019). Apart from
technological issue, cashless trend in charity fundraising also imposes challenges such as
hacking and loss of personal information. But still cashless trend is grabbing attention because of
the benefits it has to offer and cannot be denied.

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1.2 Research aim
The aim of the research is to investigate the cashless trend and its impact on small
charities for raising money.
1.3 Research objectives
The objectives of the research are:
 To understand the concept of cashless trend
 To critically analyzing the factors influencing the cashless trend
 To investigate the challenges of raising money manually
 To study the benefits and obstacles of cashless society for the charities
 To shed light on the technologies and strategies charities prefer for targeting middle aged
women and young people
1.4 Research questions
The questions of the research are:
 What do you mean by cashless trend?
 What are the factors influencing the cashless trend?
 What are the challenges of raising money manually?
 What are the benefits and obstacles of cashless society for the charities?
 What are the technologies and strategies charities prefer for targeting middle aged women
and young people?
1.5 Research rationale
Undertaking this research is significant because this will help in gathering in-depth
understanding and better in-sight about the latest trend that is gripping the fund raising technique

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for charities. This research will help to understand about the cashless trend more effectively that
will in turn help in analyzing the benefits and challenges it has for the charities supporting this
trend. Charities have encountered issues while collection of funds that have hampered the
ultimate purpose of the charity (Ravi 2017).
The funds get misplaced and fail to serve the ultimate purpose thereby, affecting the
reputation of the charitable trust that they are misusing the money. This research will help in
evaluating the different factors that facilitates cashless trend and critically analyze them for
effective use of the funds raised. Additionally, this research also sheds light on the advanced
technologies and strategies that charities are undertaking so that the target audiences, middle
aged women and young people are influenced positively (Albashrawi 2016).

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Cashless trend for fund raising
Easier currency exchange
Increased security of funds
Decreased illegal cash-based activity
Increased public spending
More efficient processing of transactions
Minimizes the scope of cash thefts
1.6 Conceptual framework and primary research methods
Figure 1: Conceptual framework
(Source: Created by the Author)
For undertaking the research, positivism philosophy, deductive approach, descriptive
design and survey research strategy has been used. Hence, probability sampling technique has
been used for selecting 50 participants having adequate knowledge and information about
cashless trend in fundraising. As a result, primary data collection process and quantitative data
analysis has been used. The primary data collected from the participants are further analyzed by
interpreting the percentages of the opinion followed by supporting the numerical values obtained

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with past researches. The primary data is analyzed using pie charts or bar graphs accordingly for
achieving the aim of the ongoing research ultimately.
1.7 Summary of the overall structure
The overall dissertation comprises of six major chapters namely introduction, literature
review, research methodology, research and findings, conclusion and recommendations. Each of
the chapters plays an important role and hence needs to be developed chronologically. The first
chapter consists of background information followed by problem statement, aim and objectives
with questions followed by rationalizing the selection of research topic. This chapter is followed
by the literature review chapter that is developed with the purpose of reviewing the past studies
and investigations in the same field. Research methodology is the next chapter that sheds light
about the existing methodological tools and justified for being selected. This chapter is followed
by the research and the findings chapter where the collected data is analyzed and interpreted by
referring to past researches. This is followed by the conclusions and recommendations chapter
that summarizes the overall findings that is followed by relevant technologies for overcoming the
identified problems as well as for improving the existing strategies.

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Chapter 2: Literature review
2.0 Overview
This literature review is developed with the purpose of shedding light on various aspects
related to the research topic. In doing so, the past researches in respect to this topic are
considered and opinions and views of different authors are critically analyzed for developing a
data enriched study. Developing the current study based on the findings of past studies and
interpreting them accordingly helps in achieving the aim and objectives of the research. For this
study, the trend of going and adopting cashless for charities across the world in raising funds is
considered with the purpose of understanding what made the phenomenon highly preferred in
spite of the existing option of raising funds manually.
2.1 Cashless trend
Cashless is the new trend that charities are adopting with the purpose of collecting cash
directly without the interference of physical or manual handling. As mentioned by Gohwong
(2017), the cashless trend allows the individuals to exchange money without handing over the
liquid cash. Hence, it is seen that people pay money to the concerned bodies and charities using
plastic money. However, as argued by Tee and Ong (2016), the concept of cashless trend or
society highlights the technique where financial transactions are conducted and executed in an
electronic format rather than using banknotes. In this case, each part tends to have device or card
that is used for executing the transaction. Hence, it can be inferred that cashless trend supports
money transactions without handing over money in person.

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2.2 Factors influencing the emerging needs of cashless trends
Charities and their campaigns are present across the globe that aims towards helping and
contributing to the people and causes in need. There are several factors that are influencing the
cashless trend for the charities. As mentioned by Harrison (2015), the probability of donating to
the charity increases when it comes to adopting cashless trend. This is because people might not
have cash but never forgets to carry their cards. Hence, people will not have reasons to contribute
to charities and support noble causes. However, as argued by Epstein (2017), there are still
customers unwilling to use cards for making charitable contributions.
As commented by Ravi (2017), with cashless trends, the individuals donating believe that
their money is not being wasted and is reaching the concerned charities directly on spot. This is
because funds collected manually for charitable purpose are often misplaced and misused and
fails to serve the ultimate cause. This is reason people are not comfortable in contributing for
charities that is mitigated with the adoption of cashless trends. However, as criticized by Heller
(2016), the authenticity of the account where the amount is credit directly is often questioned.
2.3 Challenges faced in raising money manually for charities
When local and small charities raise money using liquid cash and bank notes, challenges
occur that keeps the ultimate purpose unserved. As mentioned by Kirk, Abrahams and Ractham
(2016), misuse and mishandling of the funds occur when it is collected manually. Raising funds
manually often include intermediaries who collect the funds on behalf of the charitable
organizations. Past researches indicate that the intermediaries misplace the money collected due
to which the entire amount does not reach the charitable organizations. As a result, the concerned
social cause cannot be fulfilled to its maximum potential. However, as argued Zheng et al.

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(2018), not all the intermediaries associated in the process is responsible in misplacing the
money but the existing corruption is imposes severe impact on the social cause.
Another issue in raising money manually for charities highlighted in the past studies is
geographical barrier. The local and small charitable organizations are unable to raise funds from
neighboring locations because it imposes additional travelling expenses that are unbearable. As
mentioned by Albashrawi (2016), providing conveyance and accommodation expenses for going
to the neighboring locations for collecting and raising funds is challenging in manual collection.
Hence, for coping with with these challenges with manual rising of funds, adopting cashless
trend is facilitated.
2.4 Benefits of adopting cashless trends for charities
The benefits of going and adopting the cashless trend for the charities are huge. The use
of electronic medium in raising funds lowers the rate of money laundering for the charitable
trusts. As commented by Akande et al. (2015), adopting the cashless trend, lowers the crime of
money fraud because there is no tangible money to steal in the transaction. With cashless trend,
the entire money reaches the concerned party and is used to its maximum potential. However, as
criticized by Clifford and Mohan (2016), even cashless trend give rise to the issue of breach of
data while making transaction using the electronic platform.
The past studies reveals that cashless trend have reduced the time and cost of handling
paper money as well as storing and depositing it. According to Cabot (2015), using money
transfer and exchange by electronic medium increases the time and cost efficiency of transferring
the money to the concerned party. This is because the money is directly transferred to the
concerned party and the hassle of collecting the cash, depositing it and then waiting to be

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transferred is omitted. Moreover, this helps in assuring that the entire money is transferred in
minimal time and effort without the scope of any fraud. However, as criticized by Dedusenko
(2017), paying cash is preferred by some considering they do not have access to cards and banks.
Hence, the charities, in a way, restrict their potential contributors to the ones willing to use cards
that might impose long term consequences.
2.5 Obstacles of adopting cashless trend for charities
In spite of the benefits that cashless trend has to offer, the challenges or obstacles are
evident. One of the biggest concern when charities aim towards following cashless trend is
security and privacy concerns. As mentioned by Bama and Gunasundari (2016), security is a
major concern when it comes to adopting cashless trend. This is because the personal
information of the credit and debit card is leaked due to which large amount of money is debited
from the accounts without the permission of the account holder. This imposes heavy financial
losses along with the uncertainty of getting the money back. However, as argued by Zabyelina
(2015), at certain instances, the money leaked is credited back to the account in due time. On the
other hand, unwilling customers also act as obstacles when adopting this trend. As known, there
are some customers who are resistant to this change in spite of the campaigns. For instance, this
resistance is seen among middle aged ladies and young people (Crow, Mathmann and Greer
2019).
2.6 Impact of cashless society on charitable donations
More and more individuals are carrying less cash to the extent that when individuals see a
charity collector they look into their pockets and apologize or not carrying any cash. As
mentioned by Chong (2019), the world is going cashless and is adopting contactless payment
technology that includes cards and mobile phones. Hence, individuals prefer to tap to pay rather

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than handing over money. With cashless trends, individuals do not have the excuse of not having
any cash. They can pay easily using cards and with increased number of cashless donations that
ultimate purpose of the charities are served. Even cash boxes are becoming obsolete because
they are not safe in nature. Cash boxes can be subjected to thefts and robbery easily and the
ultimate purpose of the charity is left unattended. However, as argued by Khadjavi (2016),
adopting the cashless trend for the charities increases for collecting funds from people outside
their locality.
2.7 Initiatives undertaken by organizations to support cashless trends for charities
Comparing and contrasting the risks of collecting funds manually with the benefits of
adopting the cashless feature, governments, banks, credit and debit cards and charities are taking
suitable initiatives for promoting the trend across the people.
2.7.1 Governments
The governments of countries in the worldwide platforms are setting annual targets for
digital transactions and are offering incentives accordingly. This is encouraging and influencing
individuals as well as business organizations to opt for cashless trends. For instance, the
government is opening bank accounts for the ones with no bank accounts as well so that donating
for charities is no more challenging and not a reason to contribute. As a result, the chances of the
individuals such as young people and middle aged people for making donations are increasing
(Pal et al. 2018).
2.7.2 Banks
The banks are simultaneously helping the governments so that the trend of going cashless
is being adopted by the society. Some banks provide offers and discounts if donations are made

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to specific charities. Additionally, the banks also offer some percentage of cash back when it
comes to going cashless. This encourages the individuals to donate and contribute for charities as
they get something off that they do not get when it comes to paying cash for the charities (gupta
2017). For instance, Bank of England is terminating employees in order to go cashless and are
introducing new machines on the behalf.
2.7.3 Credits and debit cards
The credits and debit cards posts messages of getting discounts for making donations to
charities. This increases the rate of donations for the charities by the individuals. The credit and
debit cards also provide options of linking the cards with mobile wallets that make donations
even easier because the individuals do not have to take their card out while making payments to
the charities (Felix, Kenneth and Rebecca 2015).
2.7.4 Charities
Charities are also encouraging and promoting to go cashless for the people. While
standing in a busy market place, the volunteers are explaining the interested people the benefits
of going cashless when it comes to making charitable contributions. This is acting as a motivator
of the charities and more and more individuals are donating to the charitable causes using
cashless trend. As the young people are not fond of carrying notes, this cashless trend is igniting
interest within them for donating to the charities (Ravi 2017).
2.8 Summary
Hence, in this chapter, it can be summarized that being cashless is the new trend that
charities are prefer and adopt while collecting funds and raising money. With the emergence of
technology, this trend have gained popularity as charities are able to collect funds and raise

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money for causes without misplacing and misusing the money. Past studies have indicated that
funds collected by charities manually were often mishandled that led to the failure of serving the
ultimate social causes. Moreover, instances have been recorded where people do not carry cash
and are unable to donate because of it. Cashless trend adopted by charities mitigates such issue
and encourages the middle aged women and young people to raise money and funds.

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Chapter 3: Research methodology
3.0 Overview
This chapter is developed with the purpose of investigating the cashless trend and its
impact on small charities for raising money using appropriate methods. This chapter sheds light
on the different research methods that exists and are selected and applied based on the specific
research topic. This chapter plays a crucial role while developing a research because the
information used for forming this chapter helps the readers to gather adequate knowledge in
respect to the topic of the research. Each of the methodological tools are mentioned and defined
along with discussing their significant characteristics. Additionally, the ethics and the limitations
of the research methods are also taken into consideration while developing this chapter.
3.1 Research philosophy
Research philosophy is defined as the development of knowledge and its nature using
relevant facts and knowledge. It is necessary to have an understanding about the research
philosophy because it highly influences the choice of research strategy in the development of
new knowledge respective to the study. The research philosophy selected help in making
significant assumptions about the way one perceives the research (Kumar 2019).
As mentioned by Mackey and Gass (2015), positivist philosophy adopts the stance of a
natural scientist that works with an observable social reality that leads to be formation of
generalized ideas produced by natural and physical scientist. As a result, hypotheses are
generated that is tested in a research followed by explanation of laws. Hence, it can be said that
positivist philosophy shows the best possible way of investigating social and human behavior
that emerges due to metaphysical speculation. However, on the contrary, for interpretivism

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philosophy is related to developing rich insights of the complex subjectivity of the ones having
past experiences. As a result, using this philosophy helps in understanding the the difference
between social factors and human behavior (Taylor, Bogdan and DeVault 2015). On the other
hand, the pragmatism philosophy shares the combined characteristics of both positivism and
interpretivism philosophies due to which the philosophy is less preferred as using it results in
complexity (Flick 2015).
For this study, positivism philosophy has been used because this allowed selecting the
most suitable research design. This is because the philosophy selected needs to be in coherence
with the design and selecting positivism philosophy allowed developing the research based on
numerical data set. As a result, the impact of cashless trend and its impact on small charities for
raising money can be determined by interpreting the numerical data obtained (Bresler and Stake
2017).
3.2 Research design
For completing a research successfully, it is necessary to establish a valid link between
the aim and objectives of the research and in doing so the research questions needs to be
answered. This can be achieved by selecting the design or purpose of the research. Three types of
research designs exist that includes explanatory, exploratory and descriptive research design. As
mentioned by Fletcher (2017), exploratory research design aim towards finding what is
happening for seeking new insights by asking questions and assessing the phenomenon in a new
light. The use of this design is seen when uncertainty exists within a research and the researcher
intends to clarify and understand the nature of the problem. Another research design is the
descriptive design that indicates the combined characteristics of explanatory and exploratory
research designs by portraying the profiles of the events or situations (McCusker and Gunaydin

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2015). Lastly, explanatory research design highlights establishing a casual relationship between
the variables by focusing on the problem followed by explaining the relationship between the
variables.
From this study, descriptive research design has been used because this helped in
understanding the reason cashless trend is gaining more recognition compared to manual fund
raising process and techniques. Additionally, descriptive design is more suitable because the
relationship between cashless trend and the benefits it offer over the manual money raising
technique can be established thereby, determining the reason why it is gaining more popularity
and adopted by charities. In respect to the selected research design, close-ended survey
questionnaire were developed for gathering the views of the employees of the charities those
have adopted cashless trend in raising funds. While developing the survey questionnaire, the
issue that emerged is the close nature of it. This is because it restricted the selected samples or
respondents to share their opinion completely but express their opinion by selecting options only
(Walliman 2017).
3.3 Sampling
Determining and selecting an appropriate research population by selecting the most
suitable sampling procedure is necessary because this ensures quality and credibility of the data
gathered. As it is often not possible for the researcher to survey the entire population due to
limitations such as budget, time and accessing constraints, it is necessary to determine the
sampling technique and the sample size for gathering relevant findings from the representatives
of the population set. The sampling technique is mainly divided into two types, namely
probability and non-probability sampling procedures (Antwi and Hamza 2015).

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Past researches reveal that probability sampling technique is defined as the study that is
solely based on statistical and numerical data. In this case, the samples are selected randomly
from a large population, as all the respondents have equal chances to share their views and
opinions. On the other hand, for non-random probability sampling technique, it is not based on
statistical data but based on interpreting the views and opinions of the respondents in respect to
the research topic (Cope 2015).
For this study, probability sampling technique has been used that allowed 50 employees
out of all the employees of charities to share their views about the reason cashless trend is getting
more recognition compared to manual fund rising. In this way, the research can shed light on the
benefits that cashless trend has in store along with the obstacles that come in due course while
availing the facility (King and Mackey 2016).
3.4 Ethics
Abiding by the ethics of the research is of utmost significance when it comes to
completing a research successfully. Data confidentiality is one of the most significant ethics of
research that has been incorporated while proceeding with the current research. Compliance with
this research makes sure that the data is collected from the participants anonymously. In doing
so, the identity and the data shared by the individual participants remains concealed that prevents
biasness and conflicts and enriches the quality of the research (Wallace and Sheldon 2015).
Apart from data confidentiality, another ethics that has been incorporated while proceeding with
this research is presenting the original data that has been collected. In accordance with this
ethics, it has been ensured that the responses collected by surveying the participants have been
presented without any manipulation. As a result, the research, credibility and reliability have
been justified that helped in developing an authentic and resourceful data for the future

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researchers. Moreover, misguiding the participants and collecting data is also against the ethics
of the research. Hence, while conducting this research, it has been ensured that the participants
are communicated the actual purpose of selecting the current research topic thereby, convincing
them to share their views and opinions truthfully (Mannay 2015).
3.5 Limitations
From the above-section, it can be known that positivism philosophy has been used. The
major limitation for using this research method is lack of flexibility. This is because according to
positivism philosophy, everything can be measured and calculated that actually not the reality.
Moreover, survey instrument has been used for this study that also imposed own set of
disadvantages on the current research. Though the research instrument allowed gathering data
from large population, it is not possible to know the opinion of the individual participants in
detail. As a result, it is difficult to determine the mindset and opinion of the individuals in respect
to cashless trend and its use or raising funds for charities (Stahl and Coeckelbergh 2016).
3.6 Summary
Hence, from this chapter, it can be summarized that for investigating the current research
topic, cashless trend and its impact on small charities for raising money, the most suited research
has been selected along with rationalizing the selection of specific research methods. For the
information provided above, it can be summarized that positivism philosophy, deductive design
with survey questions using probability sampling technique has been used for undertaking the
study. In doing so, 50 participants have been selected using probability sampling technique for
investigating the ongoing research along with the use of primary data collection process and
quantitative data analysis technique. Moreover, the disadvantages of the specific used research
methods are also listed for the convenience of the readers.

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Chapter 4: Data analysis
4.0 Overview
The data analysis chapter is developed with the purpose of achieving the aim and
objectives of the current research. For collecting responses, close-ended survey questionnaire has
been developed that was circulated to individuals associated with charities and fund raising. The
survey questions were developed in such a way that the aim and objectives can be achieved
thereby, justifying the significance of the work. The opinions and views of the participants are
presented in pie charts followed by explaining percentages and numerical values obtained.
Hence, the effectiveness of cashless trend and its impact on small charities for raising money can
be investigated thoroughly.
4.1 Findings
Demographic questions
Figure 2: Gender specification
From the pie chart above, it can be indicated that out of the 50 participants, 58% of the
respondents were female whereas 36% of the participants were male. However, some of the

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participants who took part in the survey were unwilling to share their gender specification that
hardly made any difference because the research focused more on the opinion shared by them
and not their gender specifications.
Figure 3: Age group
Out of the 50 participants, it can be implied that the respondents belonged to different age
groups. 34% of the participants belonged to age group 28-32 years followed by 32% belonging
to age group 23-27 years, 24% belonging to age group 33-37 years and 10% belonging to age
group 38 years and above. Hence, it can be said that charities have individuals belonging to
different age groups.

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Figure 4: Association with charities
The above pie chart highlights that 50% of the respondents are associated with charities
for 0-4 years followed by 26% associated for 5-8 years, 16% associated for 9-12 years and 8%
associated for 13 years and more. This is because individuals might engage them with charities
and charitable activities when they have free time.
Figure 5: Part time or full time employment with charities
The pie chart above depicts that 64% of the participants are associated with charitable
activities as part-timer whereas 36% are associated with charities as full timers. This indicates
that not all individuals take charity as full time profession but engages with charitable activities
such as collecting funds and raising money during their free time.

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Figure 6: Awareness about cashless trend in charities
The respondents who took part in the survey reveal that cashless trend while raising funds
have indeed increased when compared to the past. Almost 56% of the respondents say that
awareness about cashless trend have increased subsequently whereas 28% of the participants say
that awareness about cashless trend have not increased. However, 16% of the participants say
that they are not sure whether cashless charity donations have increased or not.
Objective questions

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Figure 7: Increased donations with cashless trend
From the above pie chart, it can be seen that 62% of the respondents feel that the
probability and chances of donations to charities have increased with the emergence of cashless
trend. However, 18% of the respondents do not feel so and indicates that donations are still the
same even with cashless trend. On the other hand, 20% of the respondents have a mixed review
and feels it has increased but not significantly.
Figure 8: Effectiveness of cashless
The pie chart above depicts that 62% of the respondents believe that with cashless trend,
the amount donated reaches the charity directly because the amount is directly credit in the
account belonging to the charity. However, 22% of the respondents are unsure about the
authenticity of the accounts thereby, questioning the effectiveness. 16% of the respondents hares
a dual opinion for this question.

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Figure 9: Authenticity of bank accounts
The pie chart above highlights that 54% of the respondents believe that the donators
question the authenticity of the bank account. This is because a fraud bank account can be
created and the donations received can be misused. Individuals fake badges and t-shirts of the
charity and stand in market place for collecting money. However, 32% of the respondents say
that donators do not question the authenticity of the bank accounts and donate instantly. 14% of
the respondents shares a mixed review for this question.
Figure 10: Increased demand of cashless trend
From the pie chart above, it can be said that 68% of the respondents agrees that misuse of
funds raised for charity have given rise to the increased demand of adopting cashless trend when

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it comes to donations. However, 24% begs to differ and disagrees that increased issues made
cashless trend more popular. On the other hand, 8% shares a mixed opinion and according to
them the pertaining issues might be the reason of increased demand of going cashless.
Figure 11: Issues with manual fund collection
Almost 64% of the respondents believe that collecting funds manually have affected the
mindset of the donators negatively because of the past instances where the money donate have
failed to serve the ultimate purpose of the charity. On the other hand, 26% of the respondents do
not believe that such is the case because they have ensured that the donated amounts reach the
right place. However, 10% shares a mixed review and says it may or may not be a reason.

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Figure 12: Challenges of raising funds manually
Almost 34% of the respondents feel manual collection of funds results in misuse
followed by 22% believes that it is expensive, 20% believes that it is affected by geographical
constraints, 10% believes that money is misplaced by intermediaries and 14% believes that all of
the mentioned reasons are challenges that emerges while collecting funds manually for charities.
Figure 13: Benefits of cashless trend
Almost 68% of the respondents believe that if charitable trust adopt cashless trend they
will be benefitted. This is because money will reach at the same point and will not be delayed
due to the existence of intermediaries. However, on the other hand, 24% of the respondents feel
that adopting cashless trend will not benefit the charities and 8% believes that it might or might
not benefit the charities.

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Figure 14: Types of benefits of going cashless
From the above pie chart, it can be depicted that going cashless for the charities offer
wide range of benefits. 30% of the respondents agree that cashless trend minimizes money fraud
and laundering followed by 28% that believes that time and cost efficiency is increased with
cashless trend, 10% indicates the benefit to be transparency and accountability, 8% believe
authentic transaction and 24% agrees that cashless trend for charities offer all of the above
benefits.
Figure 15: Challenges of adopting cashless by charities
In spite of the benefits, the challenges with going cashless for gathering funds are
evident. Almost 28% of the respondents feel that security is the main challenge followed by 28%

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agrees that information leakage as the main challenge. Similarly, 10% and 8% of the respondents
agree that resilience and unwillingness of the customers respectively are the challenges.
However, 26% of the respondents feel all the challenges emerge when it comes to adopt cashless
trend.
Figure 16: Methods of overcoming cashless challenges
The pie chart above highlights the techniques those can be used for overcoming the
challenges of adopting cashless trend. An estimated 28% of the respondents agree that technical
integration can help in overcoming the challenges followed by 24% agreeing that using multi
currency payment would help fight the challenge, 20% saying that card data security is effective
way of fighting the challenge. However, 28% of the respondents feel that all the techniques can
be used for handling the challenges.

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Figure 17: Initiatives taken by organizations
The above survey question is asked for knowing whether the different public and private
sector organizations are taking any initiatives in promoting cashless trend for charities or not.
The chart indicates 48% agrees that organizations are taking initiatives whereas remaining 52%
does not feel so or shares a mixed review about it.
Figure 18: List of organizations taking initiatives
The pie chart above highlights that 42% of the respondents that Governments are taking
initiatives followed by 28% feel charities are taking more initiatives, 16% agree that credit and
debit card holders are promoting cashless trend for charities effectively followed by 14% agrees
that banks are taking more initiatives.

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4.2 Summary
From the above opinions of the participants, it can be summarized that cashless trend is
indeed a blessings for the charities and fund raising activities. This is because people feel more
secured in donating money with the belief that the fund is going to the right places and will be
used rightfully. Moreover, with cashless trend, the money of the individuals is safe and serves
the right purpose without being misplaced. However, on the contrary, there have been instances
where the individuals donating money have raised questions about the authenticity of the charity
account holders as well as questions regarding the security issues of the cards. Irrespective of the
challenges, the cashless trend is gaining popularity and wide acceptance across the globe with
much initiative taken by various bodies such as governments, banks and credit cards.

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Chapter 5: Discussions
5.0 Overview
After the data analysis chapter, this chapter is developed with the purpose of interpreting
and discussing the results by aligning them with past researches. This provides an opportunity to
compare and contrast the findings by referring to the opinions and views of different authors in
the past. As a result, an in-depth discussion about the emergence of cashless trend and its
effectiveness for charitable causes and donations can be investigated.
5.1 Findings and interpretations
From the data analysis chapter, it can be seen that 62% of the respondents believe that
with cashless trend, the amount donated reaches the charity directly because the amount is
directly credit in the account belonging to the charity. Similar findings have been found is past
research conducted by Gohwong (2017) and Chong (2019) that mentions with cashless trends,
individuals do not have the excuse of not having any cash. They can pay easily using cards and
with increased number of cashless donations that ultimate purpose of the charities are served.
Even cash boxes are becoming obsolete because they are not safe in nature. Cash boxes can be
subjected to thefts and robbery easily and the ultimate purpose of the charity is left unattended.
However, 22% of the respondents are unsure about the authenticity of the accounts
thereby, questioning the effectiveness. 16% of the respondents hares a dual opinion for this
question. This negative opinion of the respondents gathered from the current study can also be
supported by Khadjavi (2016) because it indicates adopting the cashless trend for the charities
increases for collecting funds from people outside their locality.

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In the data analysis, 34% of the respondents feel manual collection of funds results in
misuse that is supported by the information presented in Kirk, Abrahams and Ractham (2016)
where it can also be seen that with manual collection of funds misuse and mishandling of the
funds is evident that leaves the ultimate purpose unserved. However, it is argued by Zheng et al.
(2018) because they have found not all the intermediaries associated in the process is responsible
in misplacing the money. 20% believes that cashless trend is affected by geographical constraints
that can also be found in the past study conducted by Albashrawi (2016) because providing
conveyance and accommodation expenses for going to the neighboring locations for collecting
and raising funds is challenging in manual collection.
Almost 68% of the respondents believe that if charitable trust adopt cashless trend they
will be benefitted. This is because money will reach at the same point and will not be delayed
due to the existence of intermediaries. Akande et al. (2015) supports the current findings as it
also states that adopting the cashless trend, lowers the crime of money fraud because there is no
tangible money to steal in the transaction. With cashless trend, the entire money reaches the
concerned party and is used to its maximum potential. However, Clifford and Mohan (2016)
begs to differ and says that even cashless trend give rise to the issue of breach of data while
making transaction using the electronic platform that is a severe matter of concern. Even the
current study reveals 24% of the respondents feel that adopting cashless trend will not benefit the
charities and 8% believes that it might or might not benefit the charities.
28% of the respondents feel that security is the main challenge when it comes to adopting
cashless trend for collecting funds for charities. Even Bama and Gunasundari (2016) in the past
research have highlighted this problem when it comes to adoption of cashless trend. This is
because the personal information of the credit and debit card is leaked due to which large amount

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of money is debited from the accounts without the permission of the account holder. This
imposes heavy financial losses along with the uncertainty of getting the money back. However,
Zabyelina (2015) mentions that under such circumstance the banks have taken prompt actions for
crediting the money back.
5.2 Summary
From the discussions above, it can be summarized that cashless trend is indeed gaining
popularity and becoming the most preferred one among the donators because this gives surety
about the donated amount. Both past researches and current findings indicate that charities are
promoting and using cashless trend for raising funds for charitable causes and it has helped in
serving the ultimate purpose in less time and efficiently. However, the individuals associated
charities and using cashless trend for collecting donations is well aware of the challenges that
emerge when adopting cashless and are working towards overcoming those.

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Chapter 6: Conclusion and recommendations
6.0 Conclusion
From the above information, it can be concluded that the world is changing and so is the
way of making donations. Previously, it has been found that individuals used to stand in crowded
places holding boxes and asking for donations. However, time has changed now and individuals
carry less cash than before. People are more comfortable with plastic money and makes payment
using debit cards, credit cards and mobile wallets. As a result, charities are receiving fewer
donations that are questioning the establishment of charities. Keeping this in mind, charities are
adopting cashless trend because this increases their chances for getting donations from middle
aged women and young adults.
Since the adoption, even the charities have seen that it is highly beneficial for them. With
cashless trend, the donations are credit to the account of the charity directly and charities do not
have to wait to get the donations and use it. Additionally, misuse and misplacements of
donations by the intermediaries are also minimized significantly that is a benefit for the charity.
However, as electronic transactions are used, challenges that arise with cashless donations are
money fraud, donating money to fake accounts and leakage of personal information.
6.1 Linking with objectives
Objective 1: To understand the concept of cashless trend
This objective is linked with section 2.1 in the literature review followed by the questions
developed in the survey that intends to know about cashless trend among the individuals
associated with charities.

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Objective 2: To critically analyzing the factors influencing the cashless trend
This objective is linked with section 2.2 in the literature review that compares and
contrasts the opinions of different authors in the previously conducted researches. Additionally,
the survey questions developed intends to know about cashless trend among the individuals
associated with charities.
Objective 3: To investigate the challenges of raising money manually
This objective is linked with section 2.3 in the literature review that sheds light on the
potential challenges of collecting donations for charities manually. Additionally, the survey
questions developed intends to know about cashless trend among the individuals associated with
charities.
Objective 4: To study the benefits and obstacles of cashless society for the charities
This section is linked with sections 2.4 and 2.5 of the literature review as these sections
talk about the advantages and disadvantages of using and adopting cashless trend by charities for
raising money. Similarly, the survey questions developed intends to know about cashless trend
among the individuals associated with charities.
Objective 5: To shed light on the technologies and strategies charities prefer for targeting
middle aged women and young people
This objective is linked with sections 2.6 and 2.7 of the literature review as these sections
indicate the techniques those can be used for overcoming the challenges the charities are facing.
Moreover, the survey questions developed intends to know about cashless trend among the
individuals associated with charities.

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6.2 Recommendations
The above chapters have helped in identifying the problems that comes with cashless
trend. Hence, in this section, suitable recommendations are provided for overcoming the
challenges associated with cashless trend.
Hiring expertise of the field
Recruiting the experts and highly skilled individuals in the field will help in curbing the
problem because this will provide opportunity to handle frauds and leakage of information more
effectively and efficiently.
Including multi currency payment method
Donations for charities can come from different currencies and including multi currency
payment method can help in broadening the scope of receiving donations. As a result, the
charities can receive donations from tourists as well such as young adults and middle aged
women.
Card data security
In order to prevent leakage of information, card data security can be used. For doing that,
charities need to upgrade their gateway security manifolds so that such instances can be prevente
before taking place only.
6.3 Future scope of the study
From the findings of the current study it can be said that in the future research can be
conducted by emphasizing on any one well-known charitable trust or organizations that have
adopted cashless trend recently. This will help in gathering more and in-depth information about

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cashless trend when it comes to raising funds and collecting money by knowing how things
differ when the organization was not using cashless trend. Moreover, the findings can be
supported by subjecting the responses to different statistical tests thereby, determining the impact
and effectiveness accordingly.

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Appendix 1
Survey questions
Demographic questions
Please specify your gender specification
Male Female Prefer not to say
Please mention your age group
23-27 years 28-32 years 33-37 years 38 years and above
How long have been associated with charities?
0-4 years 5-8 years 9-12 years 13 years and above
Do you work with charities as full time or part time?
Full time Part time
Are you aware of the cashless trends that are adopted by small and local charities?
Yes No Maybe
Objective questions
With cashless trend, have the probability of donation increased?
Yes No Maybe
Does going cashless ensure that the amount donated reaches the charity directly?

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Yes No Maybe
Do the donators question that authenticity of bank account of the charities when they
follow cashless trend?
Yes No Maybe
Do you think the demand of cashless trend have increased due to the issues that charities
faced in raising funds manually?
Yes No Maybe
Did the issues of collecting funds manually affect the mindset of the people negatively?
Yes No Maybe
What were the challenges occurred when money for charities were raised manually?
Misuse of funds
Expensive
Geographical constraints
Money misplaced by intermediaries
All of the above
Do you think adopting cashless trend has been beneficial for charities?
Yes No Maybe
Mention the benefits of adopting cashless trends for charities

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Minimizing money fraud and laundering
Increasing time and cost efficiency
Authenticate transactions
Transparency and accountability
All of the above
Potential challenges of adopting cashless trends by charities
Security
Leakage of information
Unwillingness of the donators
Resilience
All of the above
Remedies of overcoming the challenges of adopting cashless trend for charities
Card data security
Multi currency payment methods
Technical integration
All of the above
Are the initiative undertaken by organizations?

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Yes No Maybe
Which bodies are taking active part in making cashless trend successful?
Governments
Charities
Banks
Credit and debit cards