TITLE:
Financial Inclusion of Moroccan SMEs: Assessing FinTech’s Adoption and Exploring Decentralized Finance Perceptions in Morocco
AUTHORS:
Abderrahmane Ed-Daoudy, Ahmed Chakir
KEYWORDS:
FinTech, Decentralized Finance (DeFi), Digital Financial Services, Financial Inclusion, Diffusion of Innovation Theory, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs), Morocco
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Business and Management,
Vol.12 No.2,
March
15,
2024
ABSTRACT: This study investigates the factors influencing the
adoption of financial technology (FinTech) and decentralized finance (DeFi)
among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Morocco. The research aims
to shed light on the current landscape of digital financial services and
explore the potential for DeFi implementation in the Moroccan context. Using a
quantitative research method, data was gathered through self-administered
questionnaires distributed to SMEs in Morocco. The Diffusion of Innovation
Theory serves as the theoretical framework to understand the factors driving
FinTech and DeFi adoption. The results reveal a strong and positive correlation
between “Relative Advantage” and “Adoption” (0.323), indicating that SMEs
perceive FinTech and DeFi as beneficial and advantageous for their businesses.
Additionally, a positive correlation is found between “Trial Ability” and
“Adoption” (0.277), suggesting that SMEs’ ability to experiment with these
technologies influences their adoption behavior. Furthermore, a weaker positive
correlation is observed between “Compatibility” and “Adoption” (0.152),
implying that the alignment of FinTech and DeFi with existing practices and systems plays a role in their adoption. Regarding
DeFi implementation, the study finds that 64% of Moroccan SMEs maintain
a neutral stance, while 5% express serious concerns about its future in the
Moroccan financial landscape. This finding highlights the need for further
education and awareness-raising efforts to foster a more positive perception of
DeFi among SMEs. This research contributes to the existing body of knowledge by
providing empirical evidence of the factors influencing FinTech and DeFi
adoption among SMEs in Morocco. The findings offer valuable insights for
policymakers, financial institutions, and technology providers in designing
strategies to promote the adoption of these technologies and enhance financial
inclusion in Morocco.