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ABSTRACT:

This study empirically examined the relationship between financial technology (FinTech - proxied by Internet Banking and Mobile Payment) innovation and business growth (proxied by productivity and operational efficiency) of Small and Medium-Scale Enterprises (SMEs) in Port Harcourt. The study was underpinned by the theory of Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and the Diffusion of Innovation Theory (DIT). The study adopted a cross-sectional research design and the population was the 1016 registered SMEs in Port Harcourt with a sample size of 287. Spearman’s Rank Correlation and Partial Correlation were used to test the five hypotheses that guided the study. The findings showed a positive and significant relationship exists between financial technology innovation and business growth. Based on these findings, the research concluded that financial technology innovation is a business solution and a formidable management strategy that SMEs can deploy to improve their business growth. It recommends therefore that SMEs who want to improve their business growth should invest more in FinTech innovations such as Internet banking and mobile payment, as these digital solutions have a significant impact in improving productivity and operational efficiency (business growth).

KEYWORDS:

Financial Technology Innovation, Internet Banking, Mobile Payment, Operational Efficiency, Productivity

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