THE IMPACT OF WOMEN ECONOMIC NETWORKING ON HOUSEHOLD DECISION MAKING WITH MEDIATING ROLE OF WOMEN ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT

Abstract

The general objective of this study is to assess the impact of Women Economic Networking on Household Decision Making, With Mediating Role of Women Economic Empowerment. 322 questionnaires were distributed to women members of 24 saving and credit cooperatives selected through systematic random sampling and (96.6%) response rate was found. Process macro model Regression analysis adopted from Hayes 2013 was employed to test for correlation, and cause and effect relationships among the variables using SPSS version 25.0. Frequency of demographic profile shows as educated women and youth were not well networked economically in the study area. The correlation result is significant but weak correlation between women economic networking with women economic empowerment. Whereas, the correlation between women economic networking with household decision making, and women economic empowerment with household decision making were found medium. The results of the study prove that the effect of the women economic networking on household decision making is positive and significant, which implies that when Women are networked in economic cooperatives, the level of decision making of women in household (micro level) increases. Even though the result of the study was significant to the objective of the study, the total effect of the impact of Women Economic Networking on Household Decision Making, With Mediating Role of Women Economic Empowerment is weak. Therefore, the researcher recommends for further research that should focus on other factors and dimensions that affect household decision making, and can be performed with a relatively larger sample size that should be taken from other economic organizations.