The impact of digital inclusive finance on SMEs’ technological innovation activities—Empirical analysis based on the data of new third board enterprises

The landscape of financial technology is undergoing a continuous evolution, driven by the relentless advancement of information technology. In this transformative milieu, digital finance has emerged as a novel financial paradigm, offering a blueprint for fostering inclusive finance. With a particular emphasis on its implications for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), this article harnesses a comprehensive dataset spanning the years 2011 to 2021, encompassing digital inclusive finance and SMEs listed on the SME board. Employing fixed effects models, this study performs a regression analysis to verify the driving effect of digital inclusive finance on SMEs’ innovation activities. The findings unequivocally affirm the potency of inclusive finance in ameliorating the longstanding financing constraints that have historically constrained the growth trajectory of SMEs. Furthermore, the study elucidated the nuanced nature of the promotional impact of digital inclusive finance on SMEs, contingent upon their distinct property rights and technological attributes. Specifically, the empirical findings unveil a discernible pattern wherein digital inclusive finance exerts a conspicuously stronger promotional effect on non-state-owned enterprises and high-tech SMEs’ endeavors in technological innovation. The conclusions derived from this research furnish a salient point of reference for governmental authorities engaged in the formulation and advancement of digital inclusive finance strategies, thereby imparting strategic guidance for the cultivation of innovation and holistic development within the SME sector.