LEVERAGING EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES AND INNOVATIVE BUSINESS MODELS FOR SUSTAINABLE SME PERFORMANCE

The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of digital technologies, prompting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to re-evaluate their business models to ensure resilience and sustainable performance. This study investigates the impact of emerging technologies—such as cashless payment systems, business collaboration, social media marketing, and contactless delivery services—on business model innovation (BMI) and the sustainable performance of bakery SMEs in Malaysia. A quantitative approach was employed, collecting data from 35 SMEs through structured questionnaires and interviews with owners. The data were analyzed using SPSS (Version 26), with correlation, regression, and reliability tests conducted. The results revealed that adopting cashless payments and social media marketing significantly improved both business model innovation (BMI) and the sustainable performance of SMEs, while business collaboration and contactless delivery showed weaker and statistically non-significant effects. The model explained 19.6% of the variance in SME performance, emphasizing the importance of digital strategies but also suggesting that additional contextual factors may influence outcomes. These findings highlight the need for targeted policy support, training in digital capabilities, and tailored adoption strategies for SMEs. Theoretically, the study extends the Resource-Based View (RBV) by demonstrating how technology-enabled business model innovation contributes to firm sustainability. Practically, it provides actionable insights for SME owners, policymakers, and industry associations as they navigate the post-pandemic digital economy.<p> </p><p><strong> Article visualizations:</strong></p><p><img src="/-counters-/soc/0421/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /></p>