Exploring mediating and moderating factors of FinTech adoption for innovations in SMEs

This article explored the mediating and moderating factors of financial technology (FinTech) adoption for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) innovations. A systematic literature review (SLR) was performed as a study method. The current research involved an in-depth evaluation of 96 articles published in English between 2000 and 2023. The methods were developed from meta-analysis and SLR's indicated reporting items. The articles were collected by carrying out keyword searches on the Scopus-indexed database. The study identified the research gaps in understanding mediating and moderating factors of FinTech adoption for innovation in SMEs. Previous studies, through SLR, have identified a limited mediator or moderator role between FinTech adoption and innovation in SMEs. Due to the limited exploration of mediator or moderator variables, this research offers novel directions for future research about the various FinTech's mediation and/or moderating role for innovation in SMEs. The outlined moderators and mediators in this study are found by combining both intuitive insights and analytical methods. In addition, the study findings will aid SME business owners, professionals, and practitioners to understand how mediating and moderating factors lead to FinTech adoption for innovation in their businesses. Overall, this research has the potential to drive significant positive change in the SME sector by enhancing their ability to innovate and thrive in a digital-first economy, thereby contributing to broader economic growth and development.