A Two-Staged SEM-Artificial Neural Network Approach to Analyze the Impact of FinTech Adoption on the Sustainability Performance of Banking Firms: The Mediating Effect of Green Finance and Innovation

Abstract

This study aims to examine the effect of FinTech adoption on the sustainability performance of banking institutions in an emerging economy such as Bangladesh. Besides, this study also investigates the mediating role of green finance and green innovation in the relationship between FinTech adoption and sustainability performance. To examine the relationship among the study variables, this study used data from 351 employees of banking institutions operating in Bangladesh during the period January to March 2021 using a convenience sampling method. Furthermore, the study utilized a two-staged structural equation modeling and an artificial neural network (SEM-ANN) approach to analyze the data. The findings show that FinTech adoption significantly influences green finance, green innovation, and sustainability performance. Similarly, the results indicate that green finance and green innovation have a significant positive influence on sustainability performance. Furthermore, the results reveal that green finance and green innovation fully mediate the relationship between FinTech adoption and the sustainability performance of banking institutions. Moreover, the present study contributes to the existing literature on technological innovation, green finance, and sustainability performance greatly as it is the first study to examine both linear and non-linear relationships among these variables using the SEM-ANN approach. As a result, the study highlights the importance of FinTech adoption, green finance, and innovation in the attainment of sustainability performance, as well as the urgent need to incorporate new technologies, green initiatives, and financing into banking strategies to help achieve the country’s sustainable economic development.