Frontier technology readiness and mineral resources utilization effect on load capacity factor: Mediating function of fintech indicators

The consistent exploitation of mineral resources is leading to an imbalance between the ecological footprint and biodiversity, thereby affecting the load capacity factor (LCF). In this digital era, financial technologies (fintech) and the readiness for frontier technologies have the potential to impact LCF significantly. This study evaluates the influence of mineral resources and frontier technology readiness indicators (FTRI) on LCF in thirty-two developed countries from 2014 to 2020. Additionally, it explores the mediating role of fintech instruments, specifically digital capital raising and digital lending, on FTRI. Through structural equation modeling, the findings indicate that fintech indicators have a direct and positive impact on LCF. Surprisingly, mineral resources also show a significantly positive influence on LCF. In contrast, FTRI has an insignificant direct influence on LCF, but it indirectly enhances LCF by improving digital capital and digital lending. In terms of indirect effects, the combined impact of fintech indicators is stronger than their individual effects. These results provide valuable insights for policy recommendations.