Digital trust in supply chain finance: the role of innovative fintech service provision

Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine how existing supply chain finance challenges confronting SMEs are affected by the emergence of smart fintech providers. In so doing the paper aims at uncovering critical role of fintech service provision in SCF and associated mechanisms that affect the SCF partners. Design/methodology/approach An in-depth case study approach has been applied in this study. The overall design is informed by a 5-stage-based case study approach developed in operation management, including the literature review and research question, followed by case selection and instrument development, the data gathering, the analysis and findings and dissemination. Findings The study shows that fintech service provider is capable of offering different digital technologies adapted to specific needs while concomitantly orchestrating the information flow across the partners. Key mechanisms that influence the establishment of trust-based relationships among the SCF partners, and related service processes and value creation based on the platform system architecture are explained. Practical implications Several practical implications for digital platform management and other key digital SCF partners are identified. Originality/value This paper contributes a novel perspective on the importance of digital trust in SCF and also contributes to the existing literature by filling up a gap with a new and fine-grained understanding of the role of fintech companies in SCF.