Digital Financial Transformation and Microfinance Intermediation Dynamics for MSMES in ASEAN: A Systematic Literature Review and Conceptual Meta-Analysis
Main Article Content
Digital financial transformation has significantly altered the landscape of microfinance intermediation for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region. The rapid growth of fintech, digital payments, peer-to-peer lending, mobile banking, and financial technology ecosystems has expanded financial access, reduced transaction costs, and improved operational efficiency among MSMEs. However, empirical findings remain fragmented regarding the mechanisms by which digital financial services influence MSME sustainability and the dynamics of financial intermediation. This research aims to systematically review and conceptually synthesize the literature on digital financial transformation and microfinance intermediation dynamics for MSMEs in ASEAN using a Systematic Literature Review (SLR), a conceptual meta-analysis, and the PRISMA 2020 framework. Literature was collected from Scopus Q1 and Q2 journals published between 2017 and 2025. The review identifies financial inclusion, technological readiness, digital literacy, institutional quality, and social capital as the dominant mediating and moderating variables influencing MSME performance. The findings indicate that digital financial transformation positively affects MSME sustainability by enhancing financial inclusion and introducing alternative financing mechanisms. Nevertheless, disparities in digital infrastructure, regulatory readiness, and financial capability continue to hinder inclusive digital transformation across ASEAN economies. This study proposes an integrated conceptual framework linking fintech adoption, digital financial inclusion, microfinance intermediation, and MSME sustainability. The study contributes theoretically by integrating fragmented fintech and microfinance literature and, practically, by offering policy implications for inclusive digital financial ecosystems in ASEAN.
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