Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Handle: RePEc:bco:mbrqaa::v:37:y:2026:p:1-22 Title: Fintech and SME Financial Inclusion: A Systematic Literature Review and Bibliometric Analysis Author-Name: Selma Haj Khlifa Author-Workplace-Name: Professor and Doctor of Science, Department of Finance, Groupe ISCAE, Casablanca, Morocco Author-Email: sehajkhlifa@gmail.com Author-Name: Nada SRIFI Author-Workplace-Name: PhD Candidate, Department of Finance, Groupe ISCAE, Casablanca, Morocco Author-Email: nsrifi_doct26@groupeiscae.ma Abstract: Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) continue to encounter significant obstacles in securing finance, often due to information asymmetry, limited credit histories, and inadequate collateral. Developments in Financial Technology (FinTech) have reshaped capital access by enhancing information exchange, reducing transaction costs, and introducing alternative financing models. This study offers a systematic review of empirical research on FinTech and SME financial inclusion between 2008 and 2025, using scientific methods such as PRISMA, PSALSAR, Biblioshiny, and Bibliometrix in RStudio. The findings indicate a relatively recent and fragmented body of literature, with a concentration of studies in China, Indonesia, and other emerging economies. Evidence consistently supports FinTech’s contribution to mitigating financing barriers, particularly in developing contexts. Nonetheless, notable limitations remain, such as a dependence on secondary data, restricted geographic scope, and a scarcity of longitudinal analyses. The paper identifies these gaps and proposes directions for future research to better understand how FinTech can foster sustainable and inclusive financing for SMEs in diverse economic environments. Keywords: Fintech; Financial Inclusion; Small and Medium-sized Enterprises; Systematic Literature Review; Bibliometric Analysis Journal: European Journal of Studies in Management and Business Volume: 37 Year: 2026 Pages: 1-22 DOI: 10.32038/mbrq.2026.37.01 File-URL: https://api.eurokd.com/Uploads/Article/2109/mbrq.2026.37.01.pdf File-Format: application/pdf Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Handle: RePEc:bco:mbrqaa::v:37:y:2026:p:23-43 Title: Linking Ethical Leadership to Social Justice Outcomes: The Moderating Influence of Environmental Sustainability Practices Author-Name: Edward Annan Author-Workplace-Name: KAAF University, Department of Business Administration and Education, Ghana Author-Email: Eddyannan88@gmail.com Author-Name: Mensah Marfo Author-Workplace-Name: KAAF University, Department of Business Administration and Education, Ghana Author-Email: marfo@Kaafuni.edu.gh Abstract: Ethical Leadership (EL) is crucial for achieving Social Justice Outcomes (SJO) in environmentally vulnerable communities, yet the moderating role of Environmental Sustainability Practices (ESP) remains underexplored. This study examines the effect of EL on SJO and the moderating role of ESP in this relationship. The study sampled 452 respondents, including local government officials, traditional leaders, community opinion leaders, and residents from flood-prone coastal areas, informal settlements, and environmentally degraded communities. Data were collected through structured questionnaires and analyzed using Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) with SmartPLS 4 and bootstrapping techniques to assess direct and moderating effects. Results reveal that EL significantly promotes SJO through fairness, transparency, inclusion, accountability, and respect for rights. EL also positively influences ESP by encouraging conservation, efficiency, recycling, compliance, and innovation. Furthermore, ESP strengthens the relationship between EL and SJO, indicating that structured sustainability practices support ethical decision-making for equitable outcomes. Findings support Stakeholder Theory, emphasizing attention to diverse stakeholders, and Institutional Theory, highlighting formal structures for effective leadership. The study guides policymakers and community institutions in integrating ethical leadership with organized environmental practices to enhance justice and sustainability. Keywords: Ethical Leadership; Social Justice Outcomes; Environmental Sustainability Practices; Stakeholder Theory; Institutional Theory; Ghana Journal: European Journal of Studies in Management and Business Volume: 37 Year: 2026 Pages: 23-43 DOI: 10.32038/mbrq.2026.37.02 File-URL: https://api.eurokd.com/Uploads/Article/2121/mbrq.2026.37.02.pdf File-Format: application/pdf Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Handle: RePEc:bco:mbrqaa::v:37:y:2026:p:44-63 Title: From Data to Improvement: Analyzing Performance and Identifying Bottlenecks in the Lending Process with a Data-Driven Process Mining Approach Author-Name: Shahrzad Charkhkar Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Economics, Management and Accounting, Yazd University, Yazd, Iran. Author-Email: Sh.charkhkar@stu.yazd.ac.ir Author-Name: Seyed Mahmood Zanjirchi Author-Workplace-Name: Full Professor, Industrial Management, Industrial Management Dept., Management; Economic & Accounting Faculty, Yazd University, Yazd, Iran Author-Email: zanjirchi@yazd.ac.ir Abstract: The loan approval process, characterized by its complexity, path diversity, and time sensitivity, has long been a critical domain for enhancing operational efficiency and customer satisfaction in the banking sector. This study aims to analyze performance and identify bottlenecks within the loan approval process of a financial institution using a process mining approach. The research utilizes data from the BPI Challenge 2012 dataset, which contains over 13,000 loan applications. A quantitative, data-driven methodology was employed, consisting of seven sequential stages: data preparation, process discovery, performance analysis, bottleneck identification, resource analysis, conformance checking, and, finally, the formulation of improvement strategies and continuous monitoring. The results reveal that the loan approval process exhibits a relatively long cycle time, a high rate of rejected or canceled applications, substantial workload concentration among a limited number of users, and low conformance with the reference model. The main bottlenecks were detected in the Application Completion and Credit Assessment stages, while many process deviations were attributed to repetitive or non-standard task sequences. Based on these insights, several improvement strategies were proposed, including the adoption of digital checklists, workload redistribution, standardization of main process paths, automation of time-consuming activities, and deployment of real-time monitoring tools. These actions are expected to improve productivity, reduce operational costs, and enhance customer satisfaction in the banking industry. Keywords: Process Mining; Bank Loan Process; Bottleneck Identification; Performance Analysis Journal: European Journal of Studies in Management and Business Volume: 37 Year: 2026 Pages: 44-63 DOI: 10.32038/mbrq.2026.37.03 File-URL: https://api.eurokd.com/Uploads/Article/2148/mbrq.2026.37.03.pdf File-Format: application/pdf