IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/spr/futbus/v11y2025i1d10.1186_s43093-025-00512-y.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Empowering the financial sector: the role of fintech research development trends

Author

Listed:
  • Ahmed Razman Latiff

    (University Putra Malaysia)

  • Mohammad Zakaria Alqudah

    (University of Valencia)

  • Husni Samara

    (University Putra Malaysia)

  • Naji Alslaibi

    (Bethlehem University)

Abstract

Fintech has revolutionized the financial sector; however, research remains fragmented across domains, necessitating a comprehensive understanding of its landscape. This study maps fintech research trends from 2018 to 2023 by using a bibliometric analysis of 868 publications from the Web of Science Core Collection. Employing tools such as VOS viewer and RStudio, this study conducts cluster analysis, keyword co-occurrence analysis, and bibliographic coupling to identify key themes. Four major directions have emerged: fintech’s role in financial entrepreneurship, efficiency and profitability in banking, client behavior and trust in digital services, and innovations in Islamic banking. These findings highlight the current trends and outline future research opportunities. This study offers original insights into fintech’s transformative impact on finance, guiding researchers, practitioners, and policymakers in fostering innovation, regulation, and investment. Furthermore, by addressing societal implications, particularly within Islamic banking and consumer behavior, it contributes to building inclusive and sustainable financial systems, underscoring fintech’s potential to reshape global finance.

Suggested Citation

  • Ahmed Razman Latiff & Mohammad Zakaria Alqudah & Husni Samara & Naji Alslaibi, 2025. "Empowering the financial sector: the role of fintech research development trends," Future Business Journal, Springer, vol. 11(1), pages 1-22, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:spr:futbus:v:11:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1186_s43093-025-00512-y
    DOI: 10.1186/s43093-025-00512-y
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://link.springer.com/10.1186/s43093-025-00512-y
    File Function: Abstract
    Download Restriction: Access to the full text of the articles in this series is restricted.

    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1186/s43093-025-00512-y?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Donthu, Naveen & Kumar, Satish & Mukherjee, Debmalya & Pandey, Nitesh & Lim, Weng Marc, 2021. "How to conduct a bibliometric analysis: An overview and guidelines," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 133(C), pages 285-296.
    2. Tapiwanashe James Museba & Edmore Ranganai & Gianfranco Gianfrate, 2021. "Customer perception of adoption and use of digital financial services and mobile money services in Uganda," Journal of Enterprising Communities: People and Places in the Global Economy, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 15(2), pages 177-203, February.
    3. Gencay Tepe & Umut Burak Geyikci & Fatih Mehmet Sancak, 2021. "FinTech Companies: A Bibliometric Analysis," IJFS, MDPI, vol. 10(1), pages 1-17, December.
    4. repec:osf:osfxxx:cwpnm_v1 is not listed on IDEAS
    5. Langzi Chen & Zhihong Chen & Jian Li, 2019. "Can Trade Credit Maintain Sustainable R&D Investment of SMEs?—Evidence from China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(3), pages 1-16, February.
    6. Peter Gomber & Jascha-Alexander Koch & Michael Siering, 2017. "Digital Finance and FinTech: current research and future research directions," Journal of Business Economics, Springer, vol. 87(5), pages 537-580, July.
    7. Ahmet F. Aysan & Zhamal Nanaeva, 2022. "Fintech as a Financial Disruptor: A Bibliometric Analysis," FinTech, MDPI, vol. 1(4), pages 1-22, December.
    8. Nees Jan Eck & Ludo Waltman, 2017. "Citation-based clustering of publications using CitNetExplorer and VOSviewer," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 111(2), pages 1053-1070, May.
    9. Lee, Chi-Chuan & Li, Xinrui & Yu, Chin-Hsien & Zhao, Jinsong, 2021. "Does fintech innovation improve bank efficiency? Evidence from China’s banking industry," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 74(C), pages 468-483.
    10. René M. Stulz, 2019. "FinTech, BigTech, and the Future of Banks," Journal of Applied Corporate Finance, Morgan Stanley, vol. 31(4), pages 86-97, December.
    11. Choudhary, Priya & Thenmozhi, M., 2024. "Fintech and financial sector: ADO analysis and future research agenda," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 93(C).
    12. P. K. Senyo & Stan Karanasios & Daniel Gozman & Melissa Baba, 2022. "FinTech ecosystem practices shaping financial inclusion: the case of mobile money in Ghana," European Journal of Information Systems, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 31(1), pages 112-127, January.
    13. Lee, In & Shin, Yong Jae, 2018. "Fintech: Ecosystem, business models, investment decisions, and challenges," Business Horizons, Elsevier, vol. 61(1), pages 35-46.
    14. Mohammad Alqudah & Luis Ferruz & Emilio Martín & Hanan Qudah & Firas Hamdan, 2023. "The Sustainability of Investing in Cryptocurrencies: A Bibliometric Analysis of Research Trends," IJFS, MDPI, vol. 11(3), pages 1-25, July.
    15. Hanan Qudah & Sari Malahim & Rula Airout & Mohammad Alomari & Aiman Abu Hamour & Mohammad Alqudah, 2023. "Islamic Finance in the Era of Financial Technology: A Bibliometric Review of Future Trends," IJFS, MDPI, vol. 11(2), pages 1-29, June.
    16. Nurfarahin Mohd Haridan & Ahmad Fahmi Sheikh Hassan & Sabarina Mohammed Shah & Hasri Mustafa, 2023. "Financial innovation in Islamic banks: evidence on the interaction between Shariah board and FinTech," Journal of Islamic Accounting and Business Research, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 14(6), pages 911-930, May.
    17. Li Huang & Qianwei Ying & Shanye Yang & Hazrat Hassan, 2019. "Trade Credit Financing and Sustainable Growth of Firms: Empirical Evidence from China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(4), pages 1-20, February.
    18. Jünger, Moritz & Mietzner, Mark, 2020. "Banking goes digital: The adoption of FinTech services by German households," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 34(C).
    19. Xiang Deng & Zhi Huang & Xiang Cheng, 2019. "FinTech and Sustainable Development: Evidence from China Based on P2P Data," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(22), pages 1-19, November.
    20. Mohammad Sahabuddin & Md. Nazmus Sakib & Md. Mahbubur Rahman & Adamu Jibir & Mochammad Fahlevi & Mohammed Aljuaid & Sandra Grabowska, 2023. "The Evolution of FinTech in Scientific Research: A Bibliometric Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-16, April.
    21. Amola Bhatt & Mayank Joshipura & Nehal Joshipura, 2022. "Decoding the trinity of Fintech, digitalization and financial services: An integrated bibliometric analysis and thematic literature review approach," Cogent Economics & Finance, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 10(1), pages 2114160-211, December.
    22. Diogo Oliveira Salgado & Bruno Barbosa Sousa, 2022. "Factors influencing the acceptance of financial technology by consumers of traditional financial services in Portugal," International Journal of Management Practice, Inderscience Enterprises Ltd, vol. 15(5), pages 671-691.
    23. Oladapo, Ibrahim Abiodun & Hamoudah, Manal Mohammed & Alam, Md. Mahmudul & Muda, Ruhaini & Olaopa, Olawale Rafiu, 2022. "Customers’ Perceptions of FinTech Adaptability in the Islamic Banking Sector: Comparative study on Malaysia and Saudi Arabia," OSF Preprints cwpnm, Center for Open Science.
    24. Gang Kou & Yang Lu, 2025. "FinTech: a literature review of emerging financial technologies and applications," Financial Innovation, Springer;Southwestern University of Finance and Economics, vol. 11(1), pages 1-34, December.
    25. Francesca Bartolacci & Andrea Caputo & Michela Soverchia, 2020. "Sustainability and financial performance of small and medium sized enterprises: A bibliometric and systematic literature review," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 29(3), pages 1297-1309, March.
    26. Jianwei Li & Na Li & Xiang Cheng & Daqing Gong, 2021. "The Impact of Fintech on Corporate Technology Innovation Based on Driving Effects, Mechanism Identification, and Heterogeneity Analysis," Discrete Dynamics in Nature and Society, Hindawi, vol. 2021, pages 1-12, December.
    27. Martin Chorzempa & Yiping Huang, 2022. "Chinese Fintech Innovation and Regulation," Asian Economic Policy Review, Japan Center for Economic Research, vol. 17(2), pages 274-292, July.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Hamza Alqudah & Mohammad Al-Qudah & Yazan Abu Huson & Abdalwali Lutfi & Mahmaod Alrawad & Mohammed Amin Almaiah, 2024. "A Decade of Green Economic Literature: An Analysis-Based Bibliometric," International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy, Econjournals, vol. 14(3), pages 497-511, May.
    2. Roberto Moro-Visconti & Salvador Cruz Rambaud & Joaquín López Pascual, 2020. "Sustainability in FinTechs: An Explanation through Business Model Scalability and Market Valuation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(24), pages 1-24, December.
    3. Pandey, Dharen Kumar & Hassan, M.Kabir & Kumari, Vineeta & Zaied, Younes Ben & Rai, Varun Kumar, 2024. "Mapping the landscape of FinTech in banking and finance: A bibliometric review," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 67(PA).
    4. Choudhary, Priya & Thenmozhi, M., 2024. "Fintech and financial sector: ADO analysis and future research agenda," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 93(C).
    5. Darko B. Vuković & Senanu Dekpo-Adza & Stefana Matović, 2025. "AI integration in financial services: a systematic review of trends and regulatory challenges," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 12(1), pages 1-29, December.
    6. Waleed Kalf Al-Zoubi, 2024. "How Sustainable is Environmental Economics? A Review of Research Trends and Implications," International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy, Econjournals, vol. 14(2), pages 319-334, March.
    7. Veronica Paul Kundy & Kamini Shah, 2024. "The knowledge base of financial technology: a bibliometric analysis review," SN Business & Economics, Springer, vol. 4(7), pages 1-22, July.
    8. Junbin Wang & Chenyang Zhao & Lufei Huang & Shuai Yang & Minxing Wang, 2024. "Uncovering research trends and opportunities on FinTech: a scientometric analysis," Electronic Commerce Research, Springer, vol. 24(1), pages 105-129, March.
    9. Pampurini, Francesca & Pezzola, Annagiulia & Quaranta, Anna Grazia, 2024. "Lending business models and FinTechs efficiency," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 65(C).
    10. Koranteng, Barbara & You, Kefei, 2024. "Fintech and financial stability: Evidence from spatial analysis for 25 countries," Journal of International Financial Markets, Institutions and Money, Elsevier, vol. 93(C).
    11. Hasan, Morshadul & Hoque, Ariful & Abedin, Mohammad Zoynul & Gasbarro, Dominic, 2024. "FinTech and sustainable development: A systematic thematic analysis using human- and machine-generated processing," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 95(PC).
    12. Trotta, Annarita & Rania, Francesco & Strano, Eugenia, 2024. "Exploring the linkages between FinTech and ESG: A bibliometric perspective," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 69(C).
    13. Yuying Gao & Shanyue Jin, 2022. "Corporate Nature, Financial Technology, and Corporate Innovation in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(12), pages 1-22, June.
    14. Payam Hanafizadeh & Mojdeh Gerami Amin, 2023. "The transformative potential of banking service domains with the emergence of FinTechs," Journal of Financial Services Marketing, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 28(3), pages 411-447, September.
    15. Onorato, Grazia & Pampurini, Francesca & Quaranta, Anna Grazia, 2024. "Lending activity efficiency. A comparison between fintech firms and the banking sector," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 68(C).
    16. Galeone, Graziana & Ranaldo, Simona & Fusco, Antonio, 2024. "ESG and FinTech: Are they connected?," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 69(C).
    17. Salma Rhanoui, 2022. "Banking Goes Digital: The Main Determinants of the Clients Satisfaction and Trust toward Fintech-Based Services," International Journal of Economics and Financial Issues, Econjournals, vol. 12(5), pages 10-20, September.
    18. Avani Raval & Rajesh Desai, 2024. "Reviews and directions of FinTech research: bibliometric–content analysis approach," Journal of Financial Services Marketing, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 29(3), pages 1115-1134, September.
    19. Kou, Mingting & Yang, Yuanqi & Chen, Kaihua, 2024. "Financial technology research: Past and future trajectories," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 93(PA), pages 162-181.
    20. Salerno, Dario & Sampagnaro, Gabriele & Verdoliva, Vincenzo, 2022. "Fintech and IPO underpricing: An explorative study," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 44(C).

    More about this item

    Keywords

    Financial technology trends; Cluster analysis; Financial sector empowerment; Financial literacy;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G20 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - General
    • O33 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Technological Change: Choices and Consequences; Diffusion Processes
    • G21 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Banks; Other Depository Institutions; Micro Finance Institutions; Mortgages
    • M15 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - IT Management
    • G28 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Government Policy and Regulation
    • O16 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Financial Markets; Saving and Capital Investment; Corporate Finance and Governance
    • Z13 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics - - - Economic Sociology; Economic Anthropology; Language; Social and Economic Stratification

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:spr:futbus:v:11:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1186_s43093-025-00512-y. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Sonal Shukla or Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.springer.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.