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Digital inclusive finance harvest: Cultivating creditworthiness for small agricultural businesses

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Digital inclusive finance (DIF) is progressively reshaping traditional banking through innovative technology to address global challenges. The wide range of digital products and services provided by DIF empowers enterprises, enhancing profitability and local competitiveness. This study systematically investigates the impact of DIF on firm creditworthiness, measured by red- or blacklisting in the National Enterprise Credit Information Publicity System. Using firm-level panel data from small and micro agricultural enterprises, we find that higher county-level DIF indices significantly reduce the likelihood of blacklisting while increasing red-listing. The most influential factors are credit investigations and online investment trends. Notably, firms that had previously faced unfavorable loan conditions due to factors like ownership, size, or industry benefited the most from DIF.

Source: Pacific-Basin Finance Journal

DOI: 10.1016/j.pacfin.2025.102731

Authors: Chen Zhang, Yanjun Li

Institutions: Wuhan University, Tohoku University

Language: English

Topic: Microfinance and Financial Inclusion

Subfield: Economics and Econometrics

Field: Economics, Econometrics and Finance

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Decent work and economic growth, Industry, innovation and infrastructure

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,090