Gempath: Gold pawn empowerment through digitalization as a solution for financial inclusion and economic resilience based on a systematic literature review

Abstract

Background: Financial inclusion remains a major challenge in Indonesia, particularly for low-income households and micro-entrepreneurs with limited access to formal financial services. This study examines the potential of digital gold pawning to promote financial inclusion and strengthen socio-economic resilience through GEMPATH (Gold Pawn Empowerment through Digitalization), a framework integrating digital financial services, gold-based financing, and financial literacy. Methods: This study employed a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) to synthesize relevant literature on digital finance, gold pawning, Islamic financial services, financial inclusion, asset-based empowerment, and economic resilience. The literature search was conducted using Google Scholar on January 12, 2026, based on predefined keywords derived from the PICO framework. Of 42 publications initially identified, 19 underwent full-text assessment and 8 met the inclusion and quality criteria for the final synthesis. The selected studies were analyzed through structured screening, thematic synthesis, and bibliometric mapping. Findings: The findings indicate that digital gold pawning can improve financial accessibility, operational efficiency, and transaction transparency while supporting household asset protection and financial stability. Integrating digital services, financial literacy, and asset management may extend gold pawning beyond short-term liquidity toward broader economic empowerment and resilience. However, digital literacy limitations, infrastructure gaps, and regulatory fragmentation remain significant challenges. Conclusion: Digital gold pawning can contribute to financial inclusion and socio-economic resilience when supported by adequate digital infrastructure, financial literacy, consumer protection, and coherent regulation. GEMPATH provides an integrative framework linking digitalization, Islamic finance, financial inclusion, asset-based empowerment, and economic resilience. Novelty/Originality of this Article: This study introduces GEMPATH as an asset-based empowerment framework that conceptualizes digital gold pawning beyond short-term financing, integrating digital financial services, gold-based financing, and financial literacy within a unified model.