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Can Digital Finance Contribute to the Promotion of Financial Sustainability? A Financial Efficiency Perspective

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  • Dan Luo

    (School of Management, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China)

  • Man Luo

    (School of Management, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China)

  • Jiamin Lv

    (School of Management, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China)

Abstract

The research first summarizes the theoretical mechanism of digital finance to improve financial efficiency and sustainability; then, it proposes three hypotheses. After that, a DEA-BCC model and a super-efficiency DEA model are constructed to estimate a series of financial efficiency levels in 31 Chinese provinces. Utilizing the estimated financial efficiency values, this paper further tests each of the three hypotheses using both a random effects model controlling for cross-sectional correlation problems and an LSDV model, respectively. The findings show that (i) technological advance is the main driver of financial efficiency improvement in each region in China, while the role of scale effect in improving financial efficiency is weakening; (ii) the development of digital finance does significantly contribute to the improvement of regional financial efficiency; and (iii) the increase in both the breadth of coverage and depth of adoption of digital finance are core driving forces for the promotion of financial efficiency, with the breadth of digital financial coverage a stronger positive effect. Hence, this study can provide an important reference for policymakers and financial institutions to better understand the relationship amongst digital finance, financial efficiency, and sustainability as well as achieve sustainable financial inclusion.

Suggested Citation

  • Dan Luo & Man Luo & Jiamin Lv, 2022. "Can Digital Finance Contribute to the Promotion of Financial Sustainability? A Financial Efficiency Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-29, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:7:p:3979-:d:781355
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    Cited by:

    1. Ying Chu & Shujun Ye & Hongchang Li & Jack Strauss & Chen Zhao, 2023. "Can Digitalization Foster Sustainable Financial Inclusion? Opportunities for Both Banks and Vulnerable Groups," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-21, April.
    2. Godfred Anakpo & Zizipho Xhate & Syden Mishi, 2023. "The Policies, Practices, and Challenges of Digital Financial Inclusion for Sustainable Development: The Case of the Developing Economy," FinTech, MDPI, vol. 2(2), pages 1-17, June.
    3. Hongyan Zhao & Wanteng Zheng & Irina Loutfoullina, 2022. "Digital Finance and Collaborative Innovation: Case Study of the Yangtze River Delta, China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(17), pages 1-15, August.
    4. Yiqun Hu & Xiong Dai & Li Zhao, 2022. "Digital Finance, Environmental Regulation, and Green Technology Innovation: An Empirical Study of 278 Cities in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(14), pages 1-17, July.

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