Fintech and financial inclusion in Guangdong, China: resources, embeddedness, fraud and routine

Wu, Wei (2017). Fintech and financial inclusion in Guangdong, China: resources, embeddedness, fraud and routine. University of Birmingham. Ph.D.

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Abstract

The emergence of FinTech has important implications for regulation and risk management both for FinTech providers and regulators. FinTech denotes the development of innovative financial services or products that are delivered via information communication technologies (ICT) and technological/computerised platforms. In recent years, the emergence of FinTech services and firms have reshaped the financial services and developed new processes and routines in a range of financial services, such as payment, banking, insurance and deposit, by using latest information communication technologies. Particularly in Guangdong province of China, FinTech firms have become an alternative funding source to the mainstream financial service providers. The demand of local SMEs drove the FinTech sector growing, not only nationwide but globally, and overtook developed regions such as the California or London. In order to understand the reason, mechanism, process and evolution of FinTech firms in Guangdong, this thesis was carried out and developed a conceptual framework from analysing 98 grounded interview data. This thesis aims to explore access and use of external sources of loan finance by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with a focus on understanding alternative forms of debt and loan finance provision by FinTech lenders using new business models and related routines. The focus on debt and loan finance is designed to generate understanding of the exclusion of many Chinese SMEs from mainstream finance but inclusion into FinTech platforms. This thesis will identify and analyse the different business routines, processes, products and embeddedness that have been developed by FinTech firms in Guangdong.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Doctorates > Ph.D.)

Award Type:

Doctorates > Ph.D.

Supervisor(s):