An empirical study of fintech proactiveness: drivers and outcomes

Purpose This study explores the drivers and expected outcomes of fintech proactiveness in banks. It also examines how collaborative knowledge creation (CKC) moderates this relationship and how fintech proactiveness affects value co-creation and competitive agility. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected from 281 specialists and managers from the banking sector through an online survey. These data were analysed using partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM). Findings Entrepreneurial leadership, customer-centric innovation and ecosystem collaboration are key drivers of fintech proactiveness. CKC moderates the impact of ecosystem collaboration on fintech proactiveness. Fintech proactiveness significantly affects value co-creation and competitive agility. Originality/value The results of this study contribute to the entrepreneurial fintech adoption literature and theory. They reveal the need for more studies linking fintech and entrepreneurship in the context of collaboration, leadership mindset, customer-centric innovation and CKC. The study opens new horizons for research on fintech performance indicators by emphasising the role of fintech performance in value co-creation and competitive agility. The findings provide financial organisations, managers and policymakers with valuable insights to develop their fintech-based entrepreneurship capabilities and strategies.