Digital technologies, including blockchain, artificial intelligence (AI), and big data, are revolutionizing supply chain finance (SCF), especially for Chinese SMEs. This study conducts a systematic literature review from 2020 to 2024 using the PRISMA method to evaluate the impact of these technologies on SCF performance. A total of 81 articles from Scopus, Web of Science, and CNKI were analyzed. The results show that digital technologies significantly improve SCF by reducing information asymmetry, enhancing SMEs' credit quality, strengthening supply chain coordination, lowering transaction costs, and minimizing financial risks. Blockchain technology boosts transparency and data security, AI refines the decision-making process for financing, and big data analytics enhances forecasting accuracy for market demand and financial risks. To further advance SCF, both government policy support and digital infrastructure improvements are needed, while SMEs should accelerate their digital transformation efforts. Future research should prioritize reducing the costs of implementing digital technologies while maximizing their benefits, and should also investigate the expanding role of AI in driving SCF efficiency and innovation. Expanding empirical studies will provide a deeper understanding of how these technologies can be best utilized to enhance SCF performance.
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