FINANCIAL TECHNOLOGY (FINTECH) ADOPTION AND MSME PERFORMANCE: A PRISMA-BASED SYSTEMATIC LITERATURE REVIEW
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18848/6azrhf40Keywords:
Women entrepreneurship, E-commerce, PRISMA, Digital Literacy, Technological Adoption, Entrepreneurial Growth, Developing Economies, Digital InclusionAbstract
Financial Technology (FinTech) has emerged as a transformative force in the global financial ecosystem, significantly influencing the operational and financial performance of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). MSMEs, which are critical contributors to employment generation, economic growth, and innovation, often face challenges related to limited access to formal finance, inefficient financial management, and high transaction costs. In this context, FinTech offers innovative solutions such as digital payments, peer-to-peer lending, mobile banking, and blockchain-based financial services that enhance financial inclusion and business efficiency.
This study presents a PRISMA-based Systematic Literature Review (SLR) to analyse the role of FinTech adoption in improving MSME performance. The review synthesises peer-reviewed articles published between 2015 and 2024, sourced from major academic databases including Scopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, and Springer. A structured screening and selection process resulted in a final dataset of relevant studies, which were analysed using bibliometric and thematic approaches.
The findings reveal that FinTech adoption positively impacts MSME performance by improving access to credit, enhancing operational efficiency, reducing transaction costs, and supporting innovation and market expansion. However, the extent of these benefits is influenced by moderating factors, including digital literacy, regulatory environment, technological infrastructure, and institutional support. The review also highlights existing research gaps, particularly the lack of integrated frameworks linking FinTech adoption to long-term performance outcomes.
This study contributes to the literature by providing a comprehensive synthesis of FinTech–MSME research. It offers valuable insights for policymakers, financial institutions, and entrepreneurs aiming to promote sustainable digital transformation in MSMEs.
