Beyond Financial Capital: How Intellectual Capital, Competitive Advantage, and Fintech Shape Financial Performance in Creative Industry SMEs
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.21791616Keywords:
Competitive Advantage, Creative Industry, Financial Performance, Financial Technology, Intellectual CapitalAbstract
This study aims to examine the effects of intellectual capital, competitive advantage, and financial technology on the financial performance of creative businesses in Kupang City, Indonesia. A quantitative explanatory research design was employed using a cross-sectional survey. Data were collected through structured questionnaires administered to 60 owners and managers of creative businesses selected using purposive and quota sampling techniques. The data were analyzed using multiple linear regression with SPSS Statistics. The results reveal that intellectual capital, competitive advantage, and fintech each have a positive and significant effect on financial performance. Among these variables, competitive advantage demonstrates the strongest influence, followed by fintech adoption and intellectual capital. Simultaneously, the three variables significantly explain variations in financial performance, indicating that the proposed regression model has strong explanatory power. These findings suggest that the financial success of creative businesses depends not only on tangible resources but also on the effective management of knowledge-based assets, competitive advantages, and the adoption of financial technologies. This study extends the application of the resource-based view in the context of creative businesses in eastern Indonesia and provides practical implications for entrepreneurs and policymakers seeking to strengthen business competitiveness and financial sustainability through strategic resource management and digital transformation.
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