From Digital Accounting Capability to MSME Sustainability: The Mediating Role of Financial Reporting Quality and the Moderating Role of Financial Literacy

Authors

  • Martinus Budiantara Universitas Mercu Buana Yogyakarta
  • Rochmad Bayu Utomo Mercu Buana University, Yogyakarta
  • Rini Setyastuti Universitas Atma Jaya, Yogyakarta, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.61255/jeemba.v4i6.2331

Keywords:

Digital accounting capability, Financial reporting quality, Financial literacy, MSME sustainability, Structural equation modeling

Abstract

Purpose - This study examined whether digital accounting capability was associated with the sustainability of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), and whether financial reporting quality and financial literacy served as a mediator and moderator, respectively.

Methodology: An explanatory cross-sectional survey of 258 MSME managers in the Special Region of Yogyakarta and Central Java, Indonesia, was analyzed using structural equation modeling with LISREL. Six hypotheses covered direct, indirect, and interaction pathways.

Results: Digital accounting capability was not significantly associated with financial reporting quality or MSME sustainability. Financial reporting quality was positively associated with sustainability (coefficient = 1.45; t = 9.57). Its indirect pathway from digital accounting capability was not significant (coefficient = −0.05; t = −1.31). Financial literacy did not significantly moderate the digital accounting capability–reporting quality relationship (coefficient = 0.01; t = 1.94), but the financial reporting quality × financial literacy interaction was significant and negative (coefficient = −0.02; t = −3.84).

Contribution: The results distinguish digital accounting capability from the quality of accounting information and show that financial literacy did not uniformly strengthen the tested relationships. The cross-sectional estimates support associations, not causal claims.

Abstract views: 0 , PDF downloads: 0

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Abbas, K. (2026). Management accounting and artificial intelligence: A comprehensive literature review and recommendations for future research. The British Accounting Review, 58(2), Article 101551. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bar.2025.101551

Abbas, K., De Santis, F., & Kolbjørnsrud, V. (2026). Artificial intelligence in accounting: A comparative analysis of adoption in accounting and non-accounting firms. Journal of Accounting and Public Policy, 57, Article 107433. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaccpubpol.2026.107433

Abu, N., da Silva, F. P., & Vieira, P. R. (2025). Government support for SMEs in the fintech era: Enhancing access to finance, survival, and performance. Digital Business, 5(1), Article 100099. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.digbus.2024.100099

Al-Hattami, H. M. (2024). Impact of AIS success on decision-making effectiveness among SMEs in less developed countries. Information Technology for Development, 30(3), 472–492. https://doi.org/10.1080/02681102.2022.2073325

Alshebami, A. S., & Murad, M. M. (2022). The moderation effect of entrepreneurial resilience on the relationship between financial literacy and sustainable performance. Frontiers in Psychology, 13, Article 954841. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.954841

Aprilia, N., Subroto, W. T., & Sakti, N. C. (2025). The role of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in supporting the people's economy in Indonesia. International Journal of Research and Scientific Innovation, 11(12), 368–376. https://doi.org/10.51244/IJRSI.2024.11120036

Bansal, S., Kumar, S., Ali, S., Singh, S., Nangia, P., & Bamel, U. (2025). Harnessing digital finance for sustainability: An integrative review and research agenda. Research in International Business and Finance, 74, Article 102682. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ribaf.2024.102682

Barney, J. B., & Arikan, A. M. (2005). The resource-based view: Origins and implications. In M. A. Hitt, R. E. Freeman, & J. S. Harrison (Eds.), The Blackwell handbook of strategic management (pp. 123–182). Blackwell Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1111/b.9780631218616.2006.00006.x

Charfeddine, L., Umlai, M. I., & El-Masri, M. (2024). Impact of financial literacy, perceived access to finance, ICT use, and digitization on credit constraints: Evidence from Qatari MSME importers. Financial Innovation, 10. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40854-023-00557-4

Dechow, P., Ge, W., & Schrand, C. (2010). Understanding earnings quality: A review of the proxies, their determinants and their consequences. Journal of Accounting and Economics, 50(2–3), 344–401. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacceco.2010.09.001

Díaz-Fernández, M., Rivera-Prieto, J. C., & López-Cabrales, Á. (2026). Digital transformation and social sustainability: The mediating role of employees' digital competencies. Technovation, 156, Article 103607. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.technovation.2026.103607

Dong, M. M., Stratopoulos, T. C., & Wang, V. X. (2024). A scoping review of ChatGPT research in accounting and finance. International Journal of Accounting Information Systems, 55, Article 100715. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.accinf.2024.100715

Edward, O. T., Mukti, A. H., Misman, F. N., & Sastrodiharjo, I. (2024). Financial literacy and technology adoption for the sustainability of micro small and medium enterprises: Evidence from Indonesia and Malaysia MSMEs. INSIGHT Journal, 11(2), 248–265. https://doi.org/10.24191/ij.v11i2.2089

Elkington, J. (1997). The triple bottom line. In M. V. Russo (Ed.), Environmental management: Readings and cases (2nd ed., pp. 49–66). SAGE Publications.

Feng, Y., Meng, M., & Li, G. (2023). Impact of digital finance on the asset allocation of small- and medium-sized enterprises in China: Mediating role of financing constraints. Journal of Innovation & Knowledge, 8(3), Article 100405. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jik.2023.100405

Fornell, C., & Larcker, D. F. (1981). Evaluating structural equation models with unobservable variables and measurement error. Journal of Marketing Research, 18(1), 39–50. https://doi.org/10.1177/002224378101800104

Graña-Alvarez, R., Lopez-Valeiras, E., Gonzalez-Loureiro, M., & Coronado, F. (2024). Financial literacy in SMEs: A systematic literature review and a framework for further inquiry. Journal of Small Business Management, 62(1), 331–380. https://doi.org/10.1080/00472778.2022.2051176

Hu, L. T., & Bentler, P. M. (1999). Cutoff criteria for fit indexes in covariance structure analysis: Conventional criteria versus new alternatives. Structural Equation Modeling, 6(1), 1–55. https://doi.org/10.1080/10705519909540118

Huang, T. L. (2025). Digital transformation and business performance in China. Asia Pacific Management Review, 30(4), Article 100400. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apmrv.2025.100400

IS, R., KV, S., & Hungund, S. (2025). MSME/SME financial literacy: A systematic literature review and bibliometric analysis. Journal of the Knowledge Economy, 16(4), 14378–14405. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13132-024-02472-0

Jensen, M. C., & Meckling, W. H. (1976). Theory of the firm: Managerial behavior, agency costs and ownership structure. Journal of Financial Economics, 3(4), 305–360. https://doi.org/10.1016/0304-405X(76)90026-X

Kaiser, H. F. (1974). An index of factorial simplicity. Psychometrika, 39(1), 31–36. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02291575

Kannan, S., & Gambetta, N. (2025). Technology-driven sustainability in small and medium-sized enterprises: A systematic literature review. Journal of Small Business Strategy, 35(1), 129–157. https://doi.org/10.53703/001c.126636

Kim, J., & Jin, W. (2024). Impact of digital capabilities on entrepreneurial performance in SMEs. Journal of Innovation & Knowledge, 9(4), Article 100609. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jik.2024.100609

Le, P. G., Chu, D., Domboka, T., & Nguyen, H. (2026). Digital transformation for sustainable development of SMEs: A systematic review of "how we know," "what we know" and research agenda. Business Strategy and the Environment. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.71207

Lusardi, A., & Mitchell, O. S. (2014). The economic importance of financial literacy: Theory and evidence. Journal of Economic Literature, 52(1), 5–44. https://doi.org/10.1257/jel.52.1.5

Mediaty, M., Indrijawati, A., Palureng, R. Z., Surisman, S., & Hariana, H. (2025). Implementation of accounting information systems in SME: A systematic literature review. Golden Ratio of Finance Management, 5(1), 52–65. https://doi.org/10.52970/grfm.v5i1.923

Mick, M. M. A. P., Kovaleski, J. L., & Chiroli, D. M. de G. (2024). Sustainable digital transformation roadmaps for SMEs: A systematic literature review. Sustainability, 16(19), Article 8551. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16198551

Mustapha, R. (2026). How digital transformation enhances sustainable performance through dynamic capabilities and open innovation practices in small and medium enterprises. Discover Sustainability, 7, Article 1083. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43621-026-03347-x

Nassuna, A. N., Ntamu, D. N., Kikooma, J., Mayanja, S. S., & Basalirwa, E. (2023). Using financial resilience to grow business amidst adversities. Continuity & Resilience Review, 5(3), 299–319. https://doi.org/10.1108/CRR-06-2023-0011

Nayak, V., & Paluri, A. R. (2026). An empirical analysis of knowledge gaps and knowledge-based constraints faced by MSMEs. Journal of the Knowledge Economy, 17(5), 13375–13398. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13132-026-03311-0

Nordhagen, S., Igbeka, U., Rowlands, H., Shine, R., Heneghan, E., & Tench, J. (2021). COVID-19 and small enterprises in the food supply chain: Early impacts and implications for longer-term food system resilience in low- and middle-income countries. World Development, 141, Article 105405. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2021.105405

Ortiz-Díaz, L., & González, J. (2026). An adapted model for measuring digital maturity in MSMEs from emerging regions. Digital Business, 6(2), Article 100182. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.digbus.2026.100182

Podsakoff, P. M., MacKenzie, S. B., & Podsakoff, N. P. (2012). Sources of method bias in social science research and recommendations on how to control it. Annual Review of Psychology, 63, 539–569. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-psych-120710-100452

Prakasa, Y., & Jumani, Z. A. (2024). Linking digital capability to small business performance: The mediating role of digital business transformation. Cogent Business & Management, 11(1), Article 2342486. https://doi.org/10.1080/23311975.2024.2342486

Saeedikiya, M., Salunke, S., & Kowalkiewicz, M. (2024). Toward a dynamic capability perspective of digital transformation in SMEs: A study of the mobility sector. Journal of Cleaner Production, 439, Article 140718. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2024.140718

Sagala, G. H., & Őri, D. (2024). Toward SMEs digital transformation success: A systematic literature review. Information Systems and e-Business Management, 22, 667–719. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10257-024-00682-2

Serang, A. E. D., Kalsum, U., Pasagi, Y., & Putri, E. L. H. (2025). The role of financial technology (fintech) in financial inclusion and MSME growth in Indonesia. Oikonomia: Journal of Management Economics and Accounting, 2(3), 28–36. https://doi.org/10.61942/oikonomia.v2i3.339

Shatila, K., Aránega, A. Y., & Căpăţînă, A. (2026). Mediating and moderating mechanisms of the digital bridge between infrastructure and entrepreneurial performance. Technology in Society, 88, Article 103432. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techsoc.2026.103432

Siddik, A. B., Rahman, M. N., & Yong, L. (2023). Do fintech adoption and financial literacy improve corporate sustainability performance? The mediating role of access to finance. Journal of Cleaner Production, 421, Article 137658. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2023.137658

Teece, D. J., Pisano, G., & Shuen, A. (1997). Dynamic capabilities and strategic management. Strategic Management Journal, 18(7), 509–533. https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1097-0266(199708)18:7%3C509::AID-SMJ882%3E3.0.CO;2-Z

Wang, S., & Zhang, H. (2025). Enhancing SMEs sustainable innovation and performance through digital transformation: Insights from strategic technology, organizational dynamics, and environmental adaptation. Socio-Economic Planning Sciences, 98, Article 102124. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seps.2024.102124

Weber, J. J., Coronado Mondragon, A. E., & Baumann, L. (2026). Digital transformation strategy alignment and implementation in industrial SMEs: A taxonomy and systematic literature review. Strategic Business Research, 2(1), Article 100183. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbr.2026.100183

Widyastuti, M., Ferdinand, D. Y. Y., & Hermanto, Y. B. (2023). Strengthening formal credit access and performance through financial literacy and credit terms in micro, small and medium businesses. Journal of Risk and Financial Management, 16(1), Article 52. https://doi.org/10.3390/jrfm16010052

Zahoor, N., Zopiatis, A., Adomako, S., & Lamprinakos, G. (2023). The micro-foundations of digitally transforming SMEs: How digital literacy and technology interact with managerial attributes. Journal of Business Research, 159, Article 113755. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2023.113755

Downloads

Published

2026-10-18

How to Cite

Martinus Budiantara, Rochmad Bayu Utomo, & Setyastuti, R. (2026). From Digital Accounting Capability to MSME Sustainability: The Mediating Role of Financial Reporting Quality and the Moderating Role of Financial Literacy. Journal of Economics, Entrepreneurship, Management Business and Accounting, 4(6), 394–413. https://doi.org/10.61255/jeemba.v4i6.2331