Does Fintech Affect MSME Performance? The Mediating Roles of Transparency and Financial Literacy

Jane Angelica Phieter (School of Business and Management, Universitas Ciputra Surabaya, Indonesia)
Luky Patricia Widianingsih (School of Business and Management, Universitas Ciputra Surabaya, Indonesia)

E-Jurnal Akuntansi
Vol. 36 No. 7 (2026)

The MSME sector serves as a vital pillar of the national economy, yet its business sustainability is often hindered by suboptimal management practices. This study aims to evaluate the impact of financial technology adoption on MSME performance through the mediating roles of transparency and financial literacy. Data were gathered from 130 MSME owners in Surabaya via purposive sampling and analyzed using SEM-PLS. Findings reveal that fintech does not directly influence performance. Instead, its benefits are realized only when bridged by improved financial understanding and information disclosure. This research concludes that the synergy between digital integration and owners' cognitive capabilities is the primary driver of MSME performance.