Transforming Digital Finance into Sustainable Growth: The Mediating Role of R&D  Investment in FinTech-Enabled MSMEs in Emerging Economies

Afroja Akter Akhi; Anushka Binte Ahasan; Md. Rakib Hasan; Sumaiya Akter Prema; Tasnuva Rubbiat; Niloy Chowdhury; Motia Mannan

doi:10.67693/BJCR-ZFZWG8GD

Publication Details

Publication Date: 10/08/2026
Volume / Issue: Vol 1, Issue 3 (2026)
Article No.: 020
Journal: British Journal of Contemporary Research
DOI: https://doi.org/10.67693/BJCR-ZFZWG8GD
Received: 23 Jul 2026
Views: 187
Downloads: 28

Affiliations

Afroja Akter Akhi: Siddheswari College, Affiliated with National University, Bangladesh

Anushka Binte Ahasan: Bijoy Smarani University College Affiliated with National University, Bangladesh

Md. Rakib Hasan: Jagannath University, Bangladesh

Sumaiya Akter Prema: Central Women's College Affiliated with National University, Bangladesh

Tasnuva Rubbiat: BANGLADESH INSTITUTE OF BANK MANAGEMENT (BIBM) Affiliated with University of Dhaka, Bangladesh

Niloy Chowdhury: Premier University, Chittagong, Bangladesh

Motia Mannan: University Tun Abdul Razak Malaysia, Universal World Research Innovation Center London UK

ORCID

Afroja Akter Akhi 0009-0005-8010-0937

Anushka Binte Ahasan 0009-0004-3699-2408

Md. Rakib Hasan 0009-0008-3549-4123

Sumaiya Akter Prema 0009-0006-8324-6234

Tasnuva Rubbiat 0009-0006-2968-1630

Niloy Chowdhury 0009-0006-8709-6106

Motia Mannan 0009-0000-9189-5441

Abstract

Micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in emerging economies face persistent challenges in accessing finance, developing innovation capabilities, and achieving sustainable growth. Although FinTech adoption has expanded financial accessibility, limited evidence explains how digital financial resources translate into innovation-driven sustainability. This study addresses this gap by examining the mediating role of R&D investment in the relationship between FinTech adoption and sustainable MSME growth in Bangladesh. Using survey data from 312 MSMEs and regression-based mediation analysis, the findings reveal that FinTech adoption significantly enhances R&D investment and sustainable growth, with R&D investment acting as a key mechanism. The study contributes a novel integrated framework linking digital finance, innovation capability, and sustainability, offering implications for policymakers and MSME stakeholders.

Keywords

FinTech Adoption R&D Investment MSME Sustainability Digital Innovation Capability

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This article is published under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License . Free to read, share, and adapt with attribution.

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Cite This Article

Afroja Akter Akhi, Anushka Binte Ahasan, Md. Rakib Hasan, Sumaiya Akter Prema, Tasnuva Rubbiat, Niloy Chowdhury, Motia Mannan (2026). Transforming Digital Finance into Sustainable Growth: The Mediating Role of R&D Investment in FinTech-Enabled MSMEs in Emerging Economies. British Journal of Contemporary Research, 1(3), Article 020. https://doi.org/10.67693/BJCR-ZFZWG8GD

Afroja Akter Akhi. “Transforming Digital Finance into Sustainable Growth: The Mediating Role of R&D Investment in FinTech-Enabled MSMEs in Emerging Economies.” British Journal of Contemporary Research, vol. 1, no. 3, 2026.

Metadata

ISSN 2979-8582

DOI Prefix 10.67693

Tracking ID BEX_JUL_26_163

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British Journal of Contemporary Research

Open Access · Peer Reviewed · Published by Bexford Publishing Ltd

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