Vol. 16 No. 1(J) (2024)

This paper’s main intent is to study the relationship between the digital economy and the sustainable economic growth of selected OECD countries from 2016 to 2020. In doing so, we will also endeavor to shed a brighter light on distinct elements of the digital economy and to comprehend their collective inputs on the economic returns of the digital systems. To achieve this, secondary data have been gathered to contribute to the quantitative design research method. We further employed a panel data set and regression techniques such as the unit root test, the cointegration test and the dynamic GMM amongst others. The results of the study revealed that sustainable economic growth is slightly significantly linked to the input of the digital economy in the short and long run. However, it has also been discovered that e-commerce revenues have a significantly positive effect on sustainable economic growth in the short and long run. Lastly, this study recommended the establishment of national and international economic metrics, reflecting more on the presence of digital systems.

The study aimed to explore the potential mediating influence of access to digital finance in the relationship between financial literacy and the performance of SMEs in Uganda. To establish this link, the study used a cross-sectional methodology to collect data at a certain point in time. Barron and Kenney's (1986) four phases required each direct influence of the study variables to follow a significant criterion. These requirements were satisfied because there was a significant direct correlation between SMEs' performance and financial literacy (Beta= 0.655; p<.01). Access to digital finance and financial literacy demonstrated a considerable direct impact (Beta= 0.519; p<.01). Moreover, there was a noteworthy direct impact from SMEs' performance to their access to digital finance (Beta=0.491; p<.01). When considering access to digital finance, the direct association between financial literacy and SMEs' performance decreased from Beta=0.655 to Beta=0.548, remaining statistically significant. This indicates that access to digital finance might serve as a moderator in the connection between financial literacy and SME success. further demonstrated by the indirect effect of (0.106/0.655 x 100) percentage. 16.2%, meaning that the direct effect is explained by 83.8% in the model. It is advised that policymakers and stakeholders in Uganda's SME sector should concentrate on developing clear guidelines on how SME owners can access digital finance. This will help in training them to improve the performance of SMEs. To improve SME outcomes, methods should be developed to make it simpler for people to use digital financial services and raise their financial literacy.