The Effect of Financial Literacy, Overconfidence, and Herding Behavior on Application-Based Investment Decisions
Abstract:
Purpose: This study examines the influence of financial literacy, overconfidence, and herding behavior on investment decisions made through digital-based applications. It aims to determine which cognitive and behavioral factors most significantly shape investors’ decision-making in the digital era.
Methodology: The research applies a quantitative approach using a survey method involving 400 individual investors in Sumatra, Indonesia, selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected via an online questionnaire and analyzed using Partial Least Squares–Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) with SmartPLS 4.0. The analysis covered the outer model (validity and reliability) and the inner model (path coefficients and significance testing).
Results/findings: The results indicate that financial literacy, overconfidence, and herding behavior each have a positive and significant effect on application-based investment decisions. These findings show that knowledge, self-confidence, and social influence play vital roles in shaping investors’ behavior in digital investment platforms.
Conclusions: Investors’ decisions in digital applications are influenced by both cognitive and social psychological factors, supporting behavioral finance theory, which asserts that investment behavior is not entirely rational.
Limitations: This study is limited to individual investors in Sumatra and uses self-reported data, which may cause response bias. It also excludes external factors such as market volatility, emotional regulation, and platform usability that could affect investment behavior.
Contribution: This research enriches behavioral finance literature by examining financial literacy, overconfidence, and herding behavior together in the context of digital investment platforms in Indonesia, offering new empirical evidence on their combined influence on investment decisions.
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Abdillah, W., & Hartono, J. (2015). Partial least square (PLS) Alternatif structural equation modeling (SEM) dalam penelitian bisnis. Yogyakarta: Penerbit Andi, 22, 103-150.
Adielyani, D., & Mawardi, W. (2020). The influence of overconfidence, herding behavior, and risk tolerance on stock investment decisions: The empirical study of millennial investors in Semarang City. Jurnal Maksipreneur: Manajemen, Koperasi, Dan Entrepreneurship, 10(1), 89-101. doi:https://doi.org/10.30588/jmp.v10i1.691
Adil, M., Singh, Y., & Ansari, M. S. (2022). How financial literacy moderate the association between behaviour biases and investment decision? Asian Journal of Accounting Research, 7(1), 17-30. doi:https://doi.org/10.1108/AJAR-09-2020-0086
Agarwal, A., Rao, N. M., & Nogueira, M. C. (2025). Financially Savvy or Swayed by Biases? The Impact of Financial Literacy on Investment Decisions: A Study on Indian Retail Investors. Journal of Risk and Financial Management, 18(6), 322. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/jrfm18060322
Ahmad, M., & Wu, Q. (2022). Does herding behavior matter in investment management and perceived market efficiency? Evidence from an emerging market. Management Decision, 60(8), 2148-2173. doi:https://doi.org/10.1108/MD-07-2020-0867
Ajaib. (2023). Tentang Ajaib. Retrieved from https://ajaib.co.id
Ajzen, I. (1991). The theory of planned behaviour. Organizational behaviour and human decision processes, 50 (2), 179-211.
Almansour, B. Y., Elkrghli, S., & Almansour, A. Y. (2023). Behavioral finance factors and investment decisions: A mediating role of risk perception. Cogent Economics & Finance, 11(2), 2239032. doi:https://doi.org/10.1080/23322039.2023.2239032
Andreou, P. C., & Anyfantaki, S. (2021). Financial literacy and its influence on internet banking behavior. European Management Journal, 39(5), 658-674. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.emj.2020.12.001
Bibit. (2023). Panduan dan fitur Bibit. Retrieved from Https://Bibit.Id
Chania, M. F., Sara, O., & Sadalia, I. (2021). Analisis risk dan return investasi pada Ethereum dan saham LQ45. Studi Ilmu Manajemen dan Organisasi, 2(2), 139-150. doi:https://doi.org/10.35912/simo.v2i2.669
Cohen, J. (2013). Statistical power analysis for the behavioral sciences: routledge.
Council, N. F. E. (2018). National financial literacy test. Retrieved from https://www.financialeducatorscouncil.org
Fama, E. F. (1970). Efficient capital markets: A review of theory and empirical work. the Journal of Finance, 25(2), 383-417. doi:https://doi.org/10.2307/2325486
Gilenko, E., & Chernova, A. (2021). Saving behavior and financial literacy of Russian high school students: An application of a copula-based bivariate probit-regression approach. Children and Youth Services Review, 127, 106122. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2021.106122
Hair Jr, J. F., Hult, G. T. M., Ringle, C. M., Sarstedt, M., Danks, N. P., & Ray, S. (2021). Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) using R: A workbook: Springer Nature.
Herlina, H., Hadianto, B., Winarto, J., & Suwarno, N. A. N. (2020). The herding and overconfidence effect on the decision of individuals to invest stocks. Journal of Economics and Business, 3(4). doi:https://doi.org/10.31014/aior.1992.03.04.288
Hidayat, R., & Moin, A. (2023). The influence of financial behavior on capital market investment decision making with mediating of financial literacy in Yogyakarta. International Journal of Research in Business & Social Science, 12(8). doi:https://doi.org/10.20525/ijrbs.v12i8.2974
IDX. (2025). 14 Juta Investor Pasar Modal: Sinergi, Inovasi Digital, dan Akses Informasi yang Kian Inklusif. Retrieved from https://www.idx.co.id/id/berita/siaran-pers/2234
Ikhsan, M., Ismiyanti, F., & Komalasari, P. (2024). Enhancing Rational Investment Decisions: The Impact of Financial Literacy and Experience on Indonesian Retail Investors, Moderated by Overconfidence. Journal of System and Management Sciences, 14(10), 517-529. doi:https://doi.org/10.33168/jsms.2024.1029
Investopedia. (2023). Financial literacy. Retrieved from https://www.investopedia.com
Jonathan, C., & Pradana, B. L. (2025). Dampak Literasi Keuangan dan Bias Kognitif terhadap Keputusan Investasi: Sebuah Analisis. Jurnal Akuntansi, Keuangan, dan Manajemen, 6(4), 917-933. doi:https://doi.org/10.35912/jakman.v6i4.4413
Kahneman, D., & Tversky, A. (2013). Prospect theory: An analysis of decision under risk Handbook of the fundamentals of financial decision making: Part I (pp. 99-127): World Scientific.
Lim, S., Seetaram, N., Hosany, S., & Li, M. (2023). Consumption of pop culture and tourism demand: Through the lens of herding behaviour. Annals of Tourism Research, 99, 103531. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annals.2023.103531
Lusardi, A., & Mitchell, O. S. (2014). The economic importance of financial literacy: Theory and evidence. American Economic Journal: Journal of Economic Literature, 52(1), 5-44.
Mahmood, T., Ayyub, R. M., Imran, M., Naeem, S., & Abbas, W. (2020). The behavioral analysis and financial performance of individual investors at Pakistan Stock Exchange. International Journal of Economics and Financial Issues, 10(5), 158. doi:https://doi.org/10.32479/ijefi.10112
Markowitz, H. M. (2008). Portfolio selection: efficient diversification of investments: Yale university press.
Mavruk, T. (2022). Analysis of herding behavior in individual investor portfolios using machine learning algorithms. Research in International Business and Finance, 62, 101740. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ribaf.2022.101740
Nugraheni, N. N. A., Kellen, P. B., & Rozari, P. d. (2021). The effect of financial behavior, financial literacy, and macroeconomics on stock investment decision-making in East Nusa Tenggara. Annals of Management and Organization Research, 3(1), 1-20. doi:https://doi.org/10.35912/amor.v3i1.1183
Nurillah, S. L., Aini, Z. N., Timur, Y. P., & Widiastuti, T. (2022). ONLINE REVIEW AND RATING ON CONSUMER PURCHASE INTENTION: THE MODERATING ROLE OF RELIGIOSITY. Jurnal Ekonomi dan Bisnis Airlangga, 32(2). doi:https://doi.org/10.20473/jeba.v32i22022.160-175
OJK. (2023). Peraturan OJK Nomor 4 Tahun 2023 tentang Perubahan Kedua atas POJK 23/POJK.04/2016 (Reksa Dana) mengatur aspek-aspek digital dan sistem pembayaran elektronik dalam reksa dana.
OJK. (2025). Statistik Bulanan Pasar Modal Desember 2024. Retrieved from https://ojk.go.id/id/kanal/pasar-modal/data-dan-statistik/statistik-pasar-modal/Pages/Statistik-Bulanan-Pasar-Modal-Desember-2024.aspx
Pramithasari, C., & Wibowo, P. A. (2025). Pengaruh Literasi Keuangan terhadap Pengelolaan Keuangan melalui Locus Of Control dan Self-Efficacy. Studi Ilmu Manajemen dan Organisasi, 6(1), 231-249. doi:https://doi.org/10.35912/simo.v6i1.3788
Putra, G. K. (2024). Pengaruh Herding Dan Literasi Keuangan Atas Keputusan Investasi Dengan Dimoderasi Variabel Religiusitas. Solusi, 22(2), 208-214. doi:https://doi.org/10.26623/slsi.v22i2.9062
Rahman, M., & Gan, S. S. (2020). Generation Y investment decision: an analysis using behavioural factors. Managerial Finance, 46(8), 1023-1041. doi:https://doi.org/10.1108/MF-10-2018-0534
Rahyuda, H., & Candradewi, M. R. (2023). Determinants of cryptocurrency investment decisions (Study of students in Bali). Investment Management & Financial Innovations, 20(2), 193. doi:https://doi.org/10.21511/imfi.20(2).2023.17
Raut, R. K. (2020). Past behaviour, financial literacy and investment decision-making process of individual investors. International Journal of Emerging Markets, 15(6), 1243-1263. doi:https://doi.org/10.1108/IJOEM-07-2018-0379
Sabir, S. A., Mohammad, H. B., & Shahar, H. B. K. (2019). The role of overconfidence and past investment experience in herding behaviour with a moderating effect of financial literacy: evidence from Pakistan stock exchange. Asian Economic and Financial Review, 9(4), 480. doi:https://doi.org/10.18488/journal.aefr.2019.94.480.490
Sadewo, R. A. J., & Cahyaningdyah, D. (2022). Investor herding behavior in extreme conditions during COVID-19: study on Indonesian stock market. Management Analysis Journal, 11(1), 22-29. doi:https://doi.org/10.15294/maj.v11i1.53484
Santoso, B., Maulidani, Y., Riduansah, R., Saiful, S., & Hakim, R. L. (2025). Pengaruh viral marketing terhadap buying decisions: peran moderasi herd behavior. Studi Ilmu Manajemen dan Organisasi, 6(1), 219-229. doi:https://doi.org/10.35912/simo.v6i1.3953
Sekuritas, M. (2023). Growin’ Investment App. Retrieved from https://growin.id
Seraj, A. H. A., Alzain, E., & Alshebami, A. S. (2022). The roles of financial literacy and overconfidence in investment decisions in Saudi Arabia. Frontiers in Psychology, 13, 1005075. doi:https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1005075
Sitoresmi, A. R. (2024). Ajaib Adalah Aplikasi Investasi Saham dan Reksa Dana, Ini Keunggulannya. Retrieved from https://www.liputan6.com/hot/read/5705852/ajaib-adalah-aplikasi-investasi-saham-dan-reksa-dana-ini-keunggulannya
Suresh, G. (2024). Impact of financial literacy and behavioural biases on investment decision-making. FIIB Business Review, 13(1), 72-86. doi:https://doi.org/10.1177/23197145211035481
Tang, I. M. H., & Haryono, N. A. (2023). Pengaruh Mental Accounting, Regret Aversion Bias, Herding Bias, Loss Aversion, Risk Perception, dan Financial Literacy terhadap Keputusan Investasi Investor Generasi Z di Kota Surabaya selama Pandemi Covid-19. Jurnal Ilmu Manajemen, 457-472. doi:https://doi.org/10.26740/jim.v11n2.p457-472
Yashinta Desy Abigail, P. (2024). OJK: Jumlah investor di Pulau Jawa turun, Sumatera meningkat.
Zhang, M., Nazir, M. S., Farooqi, R., & Ishfaq, M. (2022). Moderating role of information asymmetry between cognitive biases and investment decisions: A mediating effect of risk perception. Frontiers in Psychology, 13, 828956. doi:https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.828956
- Abdillah, W., & Hartono, J. (2015). Partial least square (PLS) Alternatif structural equation modeling (SEM) dalam penelitian bisnis. Yogyakarta: Penerbit Andi, 22, 103-150.
- Adielyani, D., & Mawardi, W. (2020). The influence of overconfidence, herding behavior, and risk tolerance on stock investment decisions: The empirical study of millennial investors in Semarang City. Jurnal Maksipreneur: Manajemen, Koperasi, Dan Entrepreneurship, 10(1), 89-101. doi:https://doi.org/10.30588/jmp.v10i1.691
- Adil, M., Singh, Y., & Ansari, M. S. (2022). How financial literacy moderate the association between behaviour biases and investment decision? Asian Journal of Accounting Research, 7(1), 17-30. doi:https://doi.org/10.1108/AJAR-09-2020-0086
- Agarwal, A., Rao, N. M., & Nogueira, M. C. (2025). Financially Savvy or Swayed by Biases? The Impact of Financial Literacy on Investment Decisions: A Study on Indian Retail Investors. Journal of Risk and Financial Management, 18(6), 322. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/jrfm18060322
- Ahmad, M., & Wu, Q. (2022). Does herding behavior matter in investment management and perceived market efficiency? Evidence from an emerging market. Management Decision, 60(8), 2148-2173. doi:https://doi.org/10.1108/MD-07-2020-0867
- Ajaib. (2023). Tentang Ajaib. Retrieved from https://ajaib.co.id
- Ajzen, I. (1991). The theory of planned behaviour. Organizational behaviour and human decision processes, 50 (2), 179-211.
- Almansour, B. Y., Elkrghli, S., & Almansour, A. Y. (2023). Behavioral finance factors and investment decisions: A mediating role of risk perception. Cogent Economics & Finance, 11(2), 2239032. doi:https://doi.org/10.1080/23322039.2023.2239032
- Andreou, P. C., & Anyfantaki, S. (2021). Financial literacy and its influence on internet banking behavior. European Management Journal, 39(5), 658-674. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.emj.2020.12.001
- Bibit. (2023). Panduan dan fitur Bibit. Retrieved from Https://Bibit.Id
- Chania, M. F., Sara, O., & Sadalia, I. (2021). Analisis risk dan return investasi pada Ethereum dan saham LQ45. Studi Ilmu Manajemen dan Organisasi, 2(2), 139-150. doi:https://doi.org/10.35912/simo.v2i2.669
- Cohen, J. (2013). Statistical power analysis for the behavioral sciences: routledge.
- Council, N. F. E. (2018). National financial literacy test. Retrieved from https://www.financialeducatorscouncil.org
- Fama, E. F. (1970). Efficient capital markets: A review of theory and empirical work. the Journal of Finance, 25(2), 383-417. doi:https://doi.org/10.2307/2325486
- Gilenko, E., & Chernova, A. (2021). Saving behavior and financial literacy of Russian high school students: An application of a copula-based bivariate probit-regression approach. Children and Youth Services Review, 127, 106122. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2021.106122
- Hair Jr, J. F., Hult, G. T. M., Ringle, C. M., Sarstedt, M., Danks, N. P., & Ray, S. (2021). Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) using R: A workbook: Springer Nature.
- Herlina, H., Hadianto, B., Winarto, J., & Suwarno, N. A. N. (2020). The herding and overconfidence effect on the decision of individuals to invest stocks. Journal of Economics and Business, 3(4). doi:https://doi.org/10.31014/aior.1992.03.04.288
- Hidayat, R., & Moin, A. (2023). The influence of financial behavior on capital market investment decision making with mediating of financial literacy in Yogyakarta. International Journal of Research in Business & Social Science, 12(8). doi:https://doi.org/10.20525/ijrbs.v12i8.2974
- IDX. (2025). 14 Juta Investor Pasar Modal: Sinergi, Inovasi Digital, dan Akses Informasi yang Kian Inklusif. Retrieved from https://www.idx.co.id/id/berita/siaran-pers/2234
- Ikhsan, M., Ismiyanti, F., & Komalasari, P. (2024). Enhancing Rational Investment Decisions: The Impact of Financial Literacy and Experience on Indonesian Retail Investors, Moderated by Overconfidence. Journal of System and Management Sciences, 14(10), 517-529. doi:https://doi.org/10.33168/jsms.2024.1029
- Investopedia. (2023). Financial literacy. Retrieved from https://www.investopedia.com
- Jonathan, C., & Pradana, B. L. (2025). Dampak Literasi Keuangan dan Bias Kognitif terhadap Keputusan Investasi: Sebuah Analisis. Jurnal Akuntansi, Keuangan, dan Manajemen, 6(4), 917-933. doi:https://doi.org/10.35912/jakman.v6i4.4413
- Kahneman, D., & Tversky, A. (2013). Prospect theory: An analysis of decision under risk Handbook of the fundamentals of financial decision making: Part I (pp. 99-127): World Scientific.
- Lim, S., Seetaram, N., Hosany, S., & Li, M. (2023). Consumption of pop culture and tourism demand: Through the lens of herding behaviour. Annals of Tourism Research, 99, 103531. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annals.2023.103531
- Lusardi, A., & Mitchell, O. S. (2014). The economic importance of financial literacy: Theory and evidence. American Economic Journal: Journal of Economic Literature, 52(1), 5-44.
- Mahmood, T., Ayyub, R. M., Imran, M., Naeem, S., & Abbas, W. (2020). The behavioral analysis and financial performance of individual investors at Pakistan Stock Exchange. International Journal of Economics and Financial Issues, 10(5), 158. doi:https://doi.org/10.32479/ijefi.10112
- Markowitz, H. M. (2008). Portfolio selection: efficient diversification of investments: Yale university press.
- Mavruk, T. (2022). Analysis of herding behavior in individual investor portfolios using machine learning algorithms. Research in International Business and Finance, 62, 101740. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ribaf.2022.101740
- Nugraheni, N. N. A., Kellen, P. B., & Rozari, P. d. (2021). The effect of financial behavior, financial literacy, and macroeconomics on stock investment decision-making in East Nusa Tenggara. Annals of Management and Organization Research, 3(1), 1-20. doi:https://doi.org/10.35912/amor.v3i1.1183
- Nurillah, S. L., Aini, Z. N., Timur, Y. P., & Widiastuti, T. (2022). ONLINE REVIEW AND RATING ON CONSUMER PURCHASE INTENTION: THE MODERATING ROLE OF RELIGIOSITY. Jurnal Ekonomi dan Bisnis Airlangga, 32(2). doi:https://doi.org/10.20473/jeba.v32i22022.160-175
- OJK. (2023). Peraturan OJK Nomor 4 Tahun 2023 tentang Perubahan Kedua atas POJK 23/POJK.04/2016 (Reksa Dana) mengatur aspek-aspek digital dan sistem pembayaran elektronik dalam reksa dana.
- OJK. (2025). Statistik Bulanan Pasar Modal Desember 2024. Retrieved from https://ojk.go.id/id/kanal/pasar-modal/data-dan-statistik/statistik-pasar-modal/Pages/Statistik-Bulanan-Pasar-Modal-Desember-2024.aspx
- Pramithasari, C., & Wibowo, P. A. (2025). Pengaruh Literasi Keuangan terhadap Pengelolaan Keuangan melalui Locus Of Control dan Self-Efficacy. Studi Ilmu Manajemen dan Organisasi, 6(1), 231-249. doi:https://doi.org/10.35912/simo.v6i1.3788
- Putra, G. K. (2024). Pengaruh Herding Dan Literasi Keuangan Atas Keputusan Investasi Dengan Dimoderasi Variabel Religiusitas. Solusi, 22(2), 208-214. doi:https://doi.org/10.26623/slsi.v22i2.9062
- Rahman, M., & Gan, S. S. (2020). Generation Y investment decision: an analysis using behavioural factors. Managerial Finance, 46(8), 1023-1041. doi:https://doi.org/10.1108/MF-10-2018-0534
- Rahyuda, H., & Candradewi, M. R. (2023). Determinants of cryptocurrency investment decisions (Study of students in Bali). Investment Management & Financial Innovations, 20(2), 193. doi:https://doi.org/10.21511/imfi.20(2).2023.17
- Raut, R. K. (2020). Past behaviour, financial literacy and investment decision-making process of individual investors. International Journal of Emerging Markets, 15(6), 1243-1263. doi:https://doi.org/10.1108/IJOEM-07-2018-0379
- Sabir, S. A., Mohammad, H. B., & Shahar, H. B. K. (2019). The role of overconfidence and past investment experience in herding behaviour with a moderating effect of financial literacy: evidence from Pakistan stock exchange. Asian Economic and Financial Review, 9(4), 480. doi:https://doi.org/10.18488/journal.aefr.2019.94.480.490
- Sadewo, R. A. J., & Cahyaningdyah, D. (2022). Investor herding behavior in extreme conditions during COVID-19: study on Indonesian stock market. Management Analysis Journal, 11(1), 22-29. doi:https://doi.org/10.15294/maj.v11i1.53484
- Santoso, B., Maulidani, Y., Riduansah, R., Saiful, S., & Hakim, R. L. (2025). Pengaruh viral marketing terhadap buying decisions: peran moderasi herd behavior. Studi Ilmu Manajemen dan Organisasi, 6(1), 219-229. doi:https://doi.org/10.35912/simo.v6i1.3953
- Sekuritas, M. (2023). Growin’ Investment App. Retrieved from https://growin.id
- Seraj, A. H. A., Alzain, E., & Alshebami, A. S. (2022). The roles of financial literacy and overconfidence in investment decisions in Saudi Arabia. Frontiers in Psychology, 13, 1005075. doi:https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1005075
- Sitoresmi, A. R. (2024). Ajaib Adalah Aplikasi Investasi Saham dan Reksa Dana, Ini Keunggulannya. Retrieved from https://www.liputan6.com/hot/read/5705852/ajaib-adalah-aplikasi-investasi-saham-dan-reksa-dana-ini-keunggulannya
- Suresh, G. (2024). Impact of financial literacy and behavioural biases on investment decision-making. FIIB Business Review, 13(1), 72-86. doi:https://doi.org/10.1177/23197145211035481
- Tang, I. M. H., & Haryono, N. A. (2023). Pengaruh Mental Accounting, Regret Aversion Bias, Herding Bias, Loss Aversion, Risk Perception, dan Financial Literacy terhadap Keputusan Investasi Investor Generasi Z di Kota Surabaya selama Pandemi Covid-19. Jurnal Ilmu Manajemen, 457-472. doi:https://doi.org/10.26740/jim.v11n2.p457-472
- Yashinta Desy Abigail, P. (2024). OJK: Jumlah investor di Pulau Jawa turun, Sumatera meningkat.
- Zhang, M., Nazir, M. S., Farooqi, R., & Ishfaq, M. (2022). Moderating role of information asymmetry between cognitive biases and investment decisions: A mediating effect of risk perception. Frontiers in Psychology, 13, 828956. doi:https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.828956
