Digital inclusive finance and the export duration of small and medium-sized Enterprises: evidence from China

Rising global uncertainty makes the sustainability of small and medium-sized enterprises’ (SMEs) export activities increasingly important. Drawing on firm-level export data from China, this study applies a discrete-time survival model to investigate how digital inclusive finance (DIF) affects SMEs’ export duration. The results show that DIF significantly reduces export hazard rates and prolongs export relationships. Financing constraints, working capital turnover, and digital transformation are potential mechanisms underlying the relationship between DIF and export duration. Heterogeneity analysis reveals significant differences across ownership and trade modes. These findings provide new evidence on how DIF shapes SMEs’ export persistence.