This study aims to analyze the effect of financial literacy and financial planning on the performance of MSMEs in the culinary sub-sector in Galala Village, Ambon City, and to examine the moderating role of education level. This quantitative research used a survey method with a sample of 80 respondents selected through purposive sampling from a population of 261 business units. Data were collected via questionnaires and analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) via SmartPLS 4. The results show that the structural model has strong predictive power ( ). Financial literacy ( ; ) and financial planning ( ; ) have a positive and significant effect on MSME performance. However, education level is not proven to moderate the relationship of financial literacy ( ) or financial planning ( ) on MSME performance. These findings emphasize that financial literacy and disciplined financial planning are the primary drivers of culinary business performance, regardless of the owner's formal education level.
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