Digital capability and strategic agility effects on SME financial performance through operational efficiency

Fuji Santoso(1), Ainorrofiqie Ainorrofiqie(2*), Dedy Ahmadi(3),

(1) UNIBA MADURA
(2) UNIBA MADURA
(3) UNIBA MADURA
(*) Corresponding Author

Abstract


This study examines the influence of digital capability and strategic agility on MSME financial performance, with operational efficiency as a mediating variable under digital transformation pressure. A quantitative explanatory design was employed using survey data collected from 250 digitally adopted MSMEs through purposive sampling. Data were analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling–Partial Least Squares (SEM-PLS) with SmartPLS 4 to examine direct and indirect relationships among variables. The findings reveal that digital capability and strategic agility positively and significantly affect operational efficiency and financial performance. Furthermore, operational efficiency significantly mediates the relationship between digital capability, strategic agility, and MSME financial performance. These results indicate that successful digital transformation depends not only on technology adoption but also on firms’ ability to respond strategically to market changes and optimize operational processes. Theoretically, this study extends Dynamic Capability Theory by highlighting operational efficiency as a key mechanism linking organizational capabilities to financial outcomes. Practically, the findings offer implications for MSMEs and policymakers to enhance digital integration, strategic agility, and operational efficiency, thereby improving competitiveness in the digital transformation era.


Keywords


Digital capability, Strategic agility, Operational efficiency, Financial performance.

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.24123/mabis.v25i3.1185

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Copyright (c) 2026 FUJI SANTOSO SANTOSO, Ainorrofiqie Ainorrofiqie, Dedy Ahmadi

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