The Moderating Effect of Business Support Services on the Relationship Between Group Identification and Women’s Economic Empowerment

Abstract

This study investigated the moderating effect of Business Support Services on the relationship between Group Identification and Women's Economic Empowerment. The study participants were drawn from women groups under PEWOSA. The data was collected using questionnaires, interviews, documentary reviews and focus group discussions. The study used structural equation modelling techniques to analyze the quantitative data. The qualitative data is analyzed thematically. The study findings revealed that group identification improves women's economic empowerment. Business support services positively impact women's economic empowerment. The interaction effect showed that whereas combining group identification with training improves women's economic empowerment, it may not lead to better results if group identification is combined with supervision. It is recommended that activities that bring women together be strengthened, tailor training activities and the supervisory function be strengthened