Digital Financial Technology for Enhancing Financial Inclusion in CSR Fund Management: A Case Study of Pulau Ketam Conservation Area, Kuala Perlis, Malaysia

Abstract

This study examines the implementation of Digital Financial Technology (FinTech) in supporting financial inclusion within the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) fund management framework of the Pulau Ketam Conservation Area in Kuala Perlis, Malaysia. Using a qualitative case study approach, data were collected through semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, document analysis, and field observations involving CSR administrators, community stakeholders, and beneficiaries. The findings show that FinTech has the potential to enhance transparency, accountability, and efficiency in CSR fund distribution while strengthening community participation in conservation-related initiatives. However, several challenges hinder its effective adoption, including limited digital literacy, infrastructural constraints, and concerns regarding data security and trust. The study concludes that successful FinTech integration requires not only technological readiness but also social preparation, capacity building, and strong institutional collaboration. These insights contribute to the growing discourse on digital financial innovation and offer practical recommendations for improving CSR governance in remote and conservation-dependent communities.