In the context of the digital economy, traditional sources of competitiveness are undergoing transformation, necessitating a transition to integrated management models. The aim of this paper is to conceptualize a model that links key strategic drivers-quality, innovation, digital transformation, ESG sustainability, and resilience-with the business and financial performance of firms. The subject of the paper is the theoretical consideration and modeling of the relationships between these strategic drivers and their business and financial performance. The possibilities for the internationalization of the SME sector through digital marketing and the automation of financial functions are explored. The paper identifies macroeconomic shocks and institutional quality as key external determinants shaping the model's success in a transitional environment. The proposed integrated model suggests that competitiveness acts as a key mediator, linking traditional values, such as quality, with contemporary imperatives of digitalization, ESG sustainability, and resilience, transforming non-financial inputs into stable business and financial performance. The paper identifies the digitalization of financial functions and strategic digital marketing as key mechanisms for the internationalization of the SME sector, emphasizing that, in the institutional environment of Serbia, sustainable performance is achieved through the synergy of technological automation and the proactive use of support programs for ESG transformation.
Čakan et al. (Wed,) studied this question.