THE INFLUENCE OF DIGITAL MARKETING CAPABILITIES ON THE FINANCIAL AND ACCOUNTING PERFORMANCE OF SMEs IN BANGKOK

Main Article Content

Nitirat Maleewat
Pairote Ketpakdeekul

Abstract

This research has three main objectives: 1. To study the characteristics and components of digital marketing capabilities of SMEs in Bangkok, by exploring the perspectives and experiences of entrepreneurs regarding the application of digital technology in marketing activities. 2. To study the role and influence of digital marketing capabilities on the financial and accounting performance of SMEs in Bangkok, through the analysis of entrepreneurs' experiences and opinions in using digital marketing capabilities to improve business efficiency. 3. To propose guidelines for developing digital marketing capabilities to enhance the financial and accounting performance of SMEs in Bangkok, by synthesizing findings from in-depth interviews and feedback from key informants, to be used as a guideline for sustainable business development. In-depth interviews were conducted with 25 owners and managers of SMEs in Bangkok using a questionnaire developed from the RBV and Dynamic Capabilities framework, and data was analyzed using Braun & Clarke Thematic Analysis.


The research results show that:


  1. Digital marketing capabilities function as a strategic organizational resource that extends beyond marketing activities alone, enhancing financial performance through revenue growth, profitability, and marketing efficiency.

  2. At the same time, it improves accounting performance through higher quality financial data, more efficient budgeting, and better internal controls. And better management decision-making.

  3. These study results indicate that SMEs in Bangkok should consider digital marketing capabilities as an integrated organizational capability that supports long-term competitiveness and sustainable business performance, rather than viewing it merely as a promotional tool.

Article Details

Section
Article

References

Al-Hattami, H. M., Battour, M., & Al-Bukhrani, M. A. (2025). Digital accounting systems in SMEs: Do they influence marketing performance? A moderated mediation analysis. Strategic Change, 34(5), 747–758.

Apasrawirote, D., Yawised, K., & Muneesawang, P. (2022). Digital marketing capability: The mystery of business capabilities. Marketing Intelligence & Planning, 40(4), 477–496.

Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77–101

Budayanti, S., Adi, P. H., & Setyanto, R. P. (2025). Identification of antecedents, indicators, and barriers on the role of digital marketing capabilities within SMEs: A systematic literature review. Multidisciplinary Reviews, 9(4), e2026202.

Elkhoudary, A., Yadav, J. K., & Alam, M. M. D. (2026). Digital marketing capabilities as drivers of SME innovation and performance: A systematic literature review and research agenda for emerging economies. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 13, 605.

Hazzam, J., Dobson, P. M., Singh, B., Ibrahim, B., & Aljarah, A. (2025). Digital marketing capabilities and SME performance: The influence of market orientation and the complementarity effect on customer relationship management capabilities. Journal of Research in Marketing and Entrepreneurship. Advance online publication.

Hennink, M., & Kaiser, B. N. (2022). Sample sizes for saturation in qualitative research: A systematic review of empirical tests. Social Science & Medicine, 292, 114523.

Homburg, C., & Wielgos, D. M. (2022). The value relevance of digital marketing capabilities to firm performance. Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, 50(4), 666–688.

Indriastuti, M., & Kartika, I. (2022). The impact of digitalization on MSMEs' financial performance: The mediating role of dynamic capability. Jurnal Economia, 18(2), 240–255.

Jadhav, G. G., Gaikwad, S. V., & Bapat, D. (2023). A systematic literature review: Digital marketing and its impact on SMEs. Journal of Indian Business Research, 15(1), 76–91.

Samsuden, N. S., Kohar, U. H. A., Khatib, S. F. A., & Abbas, A. F. (2024). Digital capabilities and business performance: A systematic literature review. Sustainability, 16(24), 11108.

Toni, N., Goh, T. S., Nyoto, N., & Hong, R. (2024). Role of digital marketing and digital transformation in the SME's financial performance.Jurnal Manajemen Industri dan Logistik, 8(1).

Ullah, M. R., Tahir, S. H., Ahmed, M., & Khan, M. J. (2025). The role of digitalization and digital capabilities in financial performance: A multilayer perceptron-based hybrid SEM-ANNs approach. International Journal of Business and Society.

Wu, C.-W., Botella-Carrubi, D., & Blanco-González-Tejero, C. (2024). The empirical study of digital marketing strategy and performance in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 200, 123142.