The rapid growth of financial technology (fintech) has significantly transformed the funding landscape for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), offering innovative financial solutions beyond traditional banking institutions. This study presents a bibliometric analysis of fintech’s role in SME financing, identifying emerging trends and research gaps. Utilizing bibliographic coupling and co-occurrence network analysis, data from Scopus were analyzed to uncover the intellectual structure and evolution of research in this field. The results highlight key themes, including the integration of blockchain, peer-to-peer lending, financial inclusion, and crowdfunding in SME financing. A particular focus on Islamic finance and Islamic crowdfunding indicates a growing interest in alternative financing mechanisms that align with Sharia principles. Additionally, the study reveals an increasing academic focus on fintech adoption in developing economies, particularly in Indonesia and Nigeria, where access to capital remains a critical challenge. The findings underscore fintech’s role in democratizing financial access for SMEs, bridging funding gaps, and fostering economic growth. Future research should investigate regulatory frameworks, risk management strategies, and technological adoption models to optimize the impact of fintech on sustainability in SME financing.

The digitalization of science management has profoundly reshaped how scientific research and development management are organized, directed, and executed. This present paper examines this transformation by conducting an initial systematic literature review. This paper identifies gaps, synthesizes findings, and draws conclusions by analyzing peer-reviewed articles from various sources. By synthesizing the key findings of recent studies, this review underlines five key themes, namely the growing emphasis on data-driven decision-making, the evolving role of leadership, the need for ethical and regulatory considerations, the opportunities for enhanced collaboration and cross-pollination of ideas, and the potential for improved decision-making and organizational agility. These findings underscore the need for science managers to adapt their strategies to harness the opportunities and address the challenges resulting from digitalization.