An Integrative Model of Customer Relationship Management and Sustainable Finance in SMEs

Authors

  • Noer Rafikah Zulyanti Universitas Muhammadiyah Lamongan, Jalan Raya Plalangan KM02, Plosowahyu, Lamongan, Jawa Timur, 62218
  • Elliv Hidayatul Lailiyah Universitas Muhammadiyah Lamongan, Jalan Raya Plalangan KM02, Plosowahyu, Lamongan, Jawa Timur, 62218
  • Melita Maharani Putri Universitas Muhammadiyah Lamongan, Jalan Raya Plalangan KM02, Plosowahyu, Lamongan, Jawa Timur, 62218
  • Muhammad Khofid Nazarudin Universitas Muhammadiyah Lamongan, Jalan Raya Plalangan KM02, Plosowahyu, Lamongan, Jawa Timur, 62218
  • Aqmal Ade Rosyid Universitas Muhammadiyah Lamongan, Jalan Raya Plalangan KM02, Plosowahyu, Lamongan, Jawa Timur, 62218

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21632/

Keywords:

Customer Relationship Management , Sustainable Finance , Integrative Model, Digitalization, SMEs

Abstract

This study aims to develop an integrative model of Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and Sustainable Finance (SF) in culinary SMEs in Lamongan. The research background is based on the still simple CRM practices and low sustainable finance literacy among business actors. The study used a qualitative-driven mixed methods approach through interviews, observations, and questionnaires with ten culinary SMEs. The results show that although CRM adoption is still limited to manual customer recording and simple loyalty programs, there is great potential to connect it with SF through digitalization, sustainability-based loyalty programs, and the utilization of customer data. The resulting CRM–SF model positions CRM as an enabler to increase customer loyalty while encouraging cost efficiency, green financial literacy, and access to sustainable financing. This research contributes to expanding the function of CRM from a mere marketing tool to a strategic instrument for sustainable financial transformation, while providing practical implications for SMEs, financial institutions, and local governments.

Author Biographies

Noer Rafikah Zulyanti, Universitas Muhammadiyah Lamongan, Jalan Raya Plalangan KM02, Plosowahyu, Lamongan, Jawa Timur, 62218

Entrepreneurship Study Program

Elliv Hidayatul Lailiyah, Universitas Muhammadiyah Lamongan, Jalan Raya Plalangan KM02, Plosowahyu, Lamongan, Jawa Timur, 62218

Entrepreneurship Study Program

Melita Maharani Putri, Universitas Muhammadiyah Lamongan, Jalan Raya Plalangan KM02, Plosowahyu, Lamongan, Jawa Timur, 62218

Entrepreneurship Study Program

Muhammad Khofid Nazarudin, Universitas Muhammadiyah Lamongan, Jalan Raya Plalangan KM02, Plosowahyu, Lamongan, Jawa Timur, 62218

Entrepreneurship Study Program

Aqmal Ade Rosyid, Universitas Muhammadiyah Lamongan, Jalan Raya Plalangan KM02, Plosowahyu, Lamongan, Jawa Timur, 62218

Entrepreneurship Study Program

References

Ahn, J., & Rho, T. (2022). Digital transformation and sustainable finance: Enhancing SME access to green financing. . Sustainability, 14(3), 14–52.

Anggita, M., Christi, N., Tiffani, I., & Marianti, M. M. (2025). Penerapan Green Practice pada Bisnis Usaha Kecil Menengah (UKM) Kuliner di Kota Bandung. 6, 1963.

Bruhn, M. (2023). Quality management for services. Springer Books.

Edmans, A., & Kacperczyk, M. (2022). Sustainable finance. Review of Finance, 26(6), 1309–1313.

Fernando, Y., Wahyuni-TD, I. S., Gui, A., Ikhsan, R. B., Mergeresa, F., & Ganesan, Y. (2023). A mixed-method study on the barriers of industry 4.0 adoption in the Indonesian SMEs manufacturing supply chains. Journal of Science and Technology Policy Management, 14(4), 678–695.

Ghosh, S. (2021). Digital customer relationship management and sustainable business practices in SMEs. Sustainability, 13(11), 60–90.

Greitens, J., & Baden-Württemberg, D. H. (2023). Sustainable finance and small and medium enterprises. Intereconomics, 58(4), 222–226.

Hoegh, K., Lambe, P., & Halik, J. B. (2024). Inovasi Produk Dan Proses Sebagai Kunci Keunggulan Bersaing Ukm Kuliner. In Paulus Journal of Accounting (Vol. 6, Issue 1).

KPMG International. (2020). The KPMG survey of sustainability reporting 2020 . Https://Home.Kpmg/Xx/En/Home/Campaigns/2020/11/the-Time-Has-Come-Survey-of-Sustainability-Reporting.Html.

Kramer, M. R., & Porter, M. (2011). Creating shared value (Vol. 17). FSG Boston, MA, USA.

Kumar, V., & Reinartz, W. (2016). Creating enduring customer value. Journal of Marketing, 80(6), 36–68.

Majid, J., Jao, R., Ng, S., Holly, A., & Ho, E. H. (2023). The Influence of Implementing Customer Relationship Management on Corporate Sustainability with Eco-Friendly Marketing as Mediating Variable. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/366946191

Marjeta, M. (2018). Social CRM adoption and its influence on customer relationship performance-SMEs perspective. Diss. University of Maribor (Slovenia).

Martinho, D., Farinha, J., & Ribeiro, V. (2025). The Impact of Customer Relationship Management Systems on Business Performance of Portuguese SMEs. Sustainability, 17(12), 5647.

Mudalige, H. (2023). Emerging new themes in green finance: a systematic literature review. Future Business Journal, 9(1), 108.

Nurfarida, I. N., Praktikto, H., & Sopiah, S. (2021). Customer Relationship Management dan Keunggulan Bersaing Pada UKM: Adopsi Media Sosial. SEIKO: Journal of Management & Business, 4(1), 265–276.

Nurjannah, H., Susanti, E., & Febrian, A. F. (2025). Creating Innovation From Business Limitations: Entrepreneurial Leadership And Business Performance Enhancement In Culinary Smes. In Management Studies and Entrepreneurship Journal (Vol. 6, Issue 3). http://journal.yrpipku.com/index.php/msej

Payne, A., & Frow, P. (2017). Relationship marketing: looking backwards towards the future. Journal of Services Marketing, 31(1), 11–15.

Peppers, D., & Rogers, M. (2016). Managing customer experience and relationships: A strategic framework. John Wiley & Sons.

Purnama, K. D., & Manalu, G. (2024). Evolution and Challenges of Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Implementation in the Digital Economy: A Systematic Review. Journal of Management and Informatics, 3(1), 71–86.

Reinartz, W., Krafft, M., & Hoyer, W. D. (2004). The customer relationship management process: Its measurement and impact on performance. Journal of Marketing Research, 41(3), 293–305.

Reinartz, W., Wiegand, N., & Imschloss, M. (2019). The impact of digital transformation on the retailing value chain. International Journal of Research in Marketing, 36(3), 350–366.

Saleh, L., & El Saheli, L. (2018). The impact of CRM strategy on customer loyalty in SMEs. International Business Research, 11(11), 37–45.

Setyowati, A. B. (2023). Governing sustainable finance: insights from Indonesia. Climate Policy, 23(1), 108–121.

Tollin, K., & Christensen, L. B. (2019). Sustainability marketing commitment: Empirical insights about its drivers at the corporate and functional level of marketing. Journal of Business Ethics, 156(4), 1165–1185.

UNEP Finance Initiative. (2021). Principles of Sustainable Finance. Https://Www.Unepfi.Org/About/.

Wahab, D. A., Dewi Anggadini, S., & Sulistiyo Soegoto, D. (2023). Ekosistem Bisnis Dan Transformasi Digital: Perspektif Keberlanjutan Usaha Kecil Kuliner. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/375073632

Weber, E. U. (2017). Breaking cognitive barriers to a sustainable future. Nature Human Behaviour, 1(1), 0013.

Yip, A. W. H., & Bocken, N. M. P. (2018). Sustainable business model archetypes for the banking industry. Journal of Cleaner Production, 174, 150–169.

Zulyanti, N. R. (2020). Analysis of Factors That Motivate Entrepreneurial Women Through Online Business (Study on Residents of Lamongan District). Enrichment: Journal of Management, 11(1, Novembe), 140–144.

Zulyanti, N. R., & Irawan, M. R. N. (2023). Customer Relationship Management: Literature Review. International Journal of Science, Technology & Management, 4(4), 884–892.

Submitted

08/30/2025

Accepted

04/22/2026

Published

06/03/2026

How to Cite

Zulyanti, N. R., Lailiyah, E. H. ., Putri, M. M. ., Nazarudin, M. K. ., & Rosyid, A. A. . (2026). An Integrative Model of Customer Relationship Management and Sustainable Finance in SMEs. International Research Journal of Business Studies, 19(1). https://doi.org/10.21632/

How to Cite

Zulyanti, N. R., Lailiyah, E. H. ., Putri, M. M. ., Nazarudin, M. K. ., & Rosyid, A. A. . (2026). An Integrative Model of Customer Relationship Management and Sustainable Finance in SMEs. International Research Journal of Business Studies, 19(1). https://doi.org/10.21632/