Dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the Requirement for the MSc in Finance FINANCE DISSERTATION ON Impact of technology and digitalization on the financial performance of Vietnamese commercial banks NGUYEN LE NGOC SON ID No: 22080942 Intake 6 Supervisor: Dr. Nguyen Xuan Quang September 2023 1 Executive Summary This master's thesis examines the impact of technology and digitalization on the financial performance of Vietnamese commercial banks. To assess the impact of digitalization on financial performance, the study employs panel data model analysis. Various financial indicators, such as profitability, liquidity, and leverage, are considered in this analysis.
The results of the data model analysis reveal that digitalization has a positive but weak effect on the financial performance of Vietnamese commercial banks. This finding suggests that although digitalization plays a role in improving financial performance, other factors may also contribute significantly to the overall performance of commercial banks in Vietnam. These findings contribute to the existing literature on the subject and provide insights for policymakers, bank managers, and researchers interested in understanding the implications of digitalization in the banking sector. 2 Acknowledgements I would like to express my deepest gratitude to my supervisor, Dr.
Nguyen Xuan Quang, for his invaluable guidance and support throughout the process of researching and writing this thesis. His expertise in the field of finance and investment was instrumental in shaping the academic analysis, argumentation, and interpretation presented in this study. Furthermore, I extend my appreciation to the staff and administration of the University of the West of England, whose resources and facilities provided an optimal research environment and access to pertinent academic literature and databases. I would like to express my profound appreciation to the experts and scholars whose research served as the foundation for this study.
Their groundbreaking work in the field of technology, digitalization, and financial performance of banks provided the necessary theoretical framework and empirical evidence upon which this thesis was built. Lastly, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to my friends and family for their unwavering support and encouragement throughout the entire research process. Their belief in my abilities and constant motivation were vital in overcoming challenges and persevering during moments of uncertainty. The completion of this master's thesis would not have been possible without the collective contributions and support of these individuals and institutions.
I am truly grateful for their guidance, insights, and encouragement. 3 I declare that this dissertation is my own work, unless otherwise referenced, as defined by the UWE Bristol’s assessment offences policy. 4 Table of Contents 1. Background and context.
Significance and motivation. Research objectives and questions. Overview of the structure of the thesis. Research models and techniques.
DATA ANALYSIS AND RESULTS. Auto-correlation test. Breusch–Pagan Lagrange multiplier test and Hausman test. Breusch–Pagan heteroscedasticity test.
Breusch-Godfrey serial correlation test. Model estimations with Public Online Services index. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS. 73 6 Table of Figures Table 1: Descriptive statistics for all variables.
44 Table 2: Auto-correlation test .45 Table 3: Collinearity check. 46 Table 4: Breusch–Pagan Lagrange multiplier test on four models. 47 Table 5: Hausman test on four models .48 Table 6: Breusch–Pagan heteroscedasticity test on four models. 49 Table 7: Breusch-Godfrey serial correlation test on four models.
50 Table 8: Model comparisons on four models. 52 Table 13: Model estimations - M1 .53 Table 14: Model estimations - M2 .54 Table 15: Model estimations - M5 .58 Table 16: Model estimations - M6. Background and context The financial sector is one of the most important sectors in any economy, as it plays a critical role in facilitating economic growth and development. With the increasing adoption of technology and digitalization, the financial sector has undergone significant changes, which have transformed the way financial institutions operate and deliver services to their customers.
In Vietnam, the banking sector has witnessed significant growth and development over the past few decades, with the adoption of technology and digitalization playing a key role in this transformation. Vietnamese commercial banks have undergone rapid digital transformation due to the increasing availability and affordability of technology infrastructure. This digitalization trend includes the adoption of various technologies such as mobile banking apps, online payment systems, and electronic document management systems. The impact of technology and digitalization on the financial performance of Vietnamese commercial banks has become an increasingly important topic of research in recent years.
The adoption of technology and digitalization has brought about significant changes in the banking industry, including changes in customer behavior, increased competition, and changes in regulatory requirements (Nguyen- Thi-Huong et al., 2023; Do et al. These changes have had a profound impact on the financial performance of Vietnamese commercial banks, which has prompted researchers to investigate the relationship between technology and digitalization and financial performance. 8 Despite the growing interest in the topic, the precise impact of technology and digitalization on the financial performance of Vietnamese commercial banks remains a subject of debate. While some argue that digitalization boosts financial performance through increased efficiency and innovation (Potapova, Iskoskov and Mukhanova, 2022; Owusu Kwateng, Osei-Wusu and Amanor, 2020; Scott, Van Reenen and Zachariadis, 2017), others voice concerns about the negative risks associated with technology implementation (Cao et al., 2022; Jardak and Ben Hamad, 2022; Kriebel and Debener, 2019; Ben Naceur and Kandil, 2009).
Currently, commercial banks in Vietnam are still facing many difficulties in the digital transformation process. These include the lack of awareness of the role of digital transformation in the 4.0 industrial revolution, the substandard level of public science and technology, and the shortage of investment in technological innovation. Outdated technology leads to low productivity and low competitiveness in domestic and foreign markets. Digital transformation will bring many obvious development opportunities such as improving competitiveness, enhancing production efficiency, participating in global value chains, and creating a sustainable position.
The research topic is relatively new and primarily conducted by authors from other countries, such as Theiri S. (2023), Potapova et al. (2022), Agboola et al. Others focus on the role of information technology (Awwad and El Khoury, 2021), innovations (Akhisar, Tunay and Tunay, 2015), and e- banking (Abaenewe, Ogbulu and Ndugbu, 2013; Oyewole et al.
There is a limited number of comprehensive studies that delve into how digital transformation impacts the performance of commercial banks. In Vietnam specifically, there have 9 been a few studies conducted; however, most of them focus solely on reviewing existing literature without analyzing empirical data. Some researchers have made attempts to gauge the progress of digital transformation through analysis of figures presented in banks' annual reports (Do et al. Nevertheless, no studies have explored data sources from official technological departments from commercial banks or the government.
The primary objective of this master's thesis is to examine the impact of technology and digitalization on the financial performance of Vietnamese commercial banks. This study seeks to contribute to the understanding of the impact of technology and digitalization on the financial performance of Vietnamese commercial banks. By identifying the key drivers of this impact, the study aims to provide insights that can inform the development of policies and strategies aimed at improving the financial performance of Vietnamese commercial banks in the context of technology and digitalization. Significance and motivation The importance of this research lies in its ability to offer valuable insights into how technology has transformed the banking industry, not only in Vietnam but also worldwide.
The implementation of technology and digitalization has completely revolutionized the functioning of banks, resulting in significant changes to their overall performance. It is vital to comprehend the impact of these technological advancements on the financial performance of banks in order to study this transformation effectively. The results obtained from this study will contribute 10 towards a better understanding of the correlation between technology and financial performance within Vietnamese commercial banks. Additionally, this study uses a new variable for the digital transformation which is acquired from the ICT reports from the Ministry of Information and Communications in Vietnam.
Several studies in the past only utilized the information from the annual reports and financial reports of banks (Do et al., 2022; Potapova, Iskoskov and Mukhanova, 2022; Agboola et al. Furthermore, this research is anticipated to offer academic contributions to the existing literature on technology adoption and performance in the banking sector. The comprehensive review of relevant literature and the empirical investigation of Vietnam's banking industry's technological transformation will provide a wealth of new knowledge regarding the benefits and drawbacks of technology and digitalization on commercial banks' overall financial performance. Finally, this research is expected to offer a practical contribution to the financial, technological, and business management fields.
As Vietnam's economy progresses towards digitalization, the results of this study will provide valuable insights for commercial banks seeking to enhance their market position and performance through technology adoption. The motivation behind this research is to understand the growing trend of digitalization in the financial industry and its potential benefits as well as risks. As more banks adopt new technologies such as online banking platforms and mobile applications, there is a need to evaluate their impact on profitability and efficiency. The study seeks to provide an objective analysis of these changes and identify any 11 underlying factors that may be driving them.
By examining data from Vietnamese commercial banks specifically, it provides valuable insights into how this phenomenon is affecting the local market and what implications it has for other regions around the world. Ultimately, the findings could benefit various stakeholders, such as banks, policymakers, and regulators. Bank executives can utilize the outcomes of the research to identify areas that require further development and investment to enhance their banks' financial performance. Policymakers can use the findings to develop policies that are aligned with the digital transformation of the banking sector in Vietnam.
Regulators can leverage the research to formulate a framework that recognizes the banking industry's digital features and secures the banking system. Research objectives and questions 1. Objectives There are three main objectives for this study. Firstly, to examine the impact of technology and digitalization on the financial performance of Vietnamese commercial banks.
Secondly, to explore the challenges and opportunities associated with technology implementation and digital transformation in Vietnamese commercial banks. Finally, to provide recommendations and strategies for Vietnamese commercial banks to enhance their technology adoption and digitalization efforts, aiming to improve their financial performance. Research questions 12 The essay will address several research questions that have been formulated based on the objectives: How has the adoption of technology and digitalization impacted the financial performance of Vietnamese commercial banks? What are the challenges and barriers faced by Vietnamese commercial banks in implementing technology and digitalization initiatives? How do the regulatory environment and government policies in Vietnam influence the adoption of technology and digitalization in commercial banks? What are the potential risks and vulnerabilities associated with technology adoption and digitalization in Vietnamese commercial banks? What are the future prospects and trends for technology adoption and digitalization in the Vietnamese banking sector? 1. Scope This study aims to investigate the impact of technology and digitalization on the financial performance of Vietnamese commercial banks.
The study will focus on selected Vietnamese commercial banks for a specific period, primarily examining the years between 2016 and 2020. By analyzing key financial indicators, such as profitability, liquidity, and asset quality, this research intends to elucidate the extent to which technological advancements and digitalization have influenced the financial performance of these banks. Furthermore, the study engages in academic argumentation to support the interpretation of the findings. It involves a critical evaluation and comparison of the research findings with the existing literature and theoretical frameworks.
The argumentation aims to strengthen the validity and reliability of the results, 13 presenting a compelling case for the observed weak but positive effect of digitalization on the financial performance of Vietnamese commercial banks.