Women-Empowerment is one of the most crucial challenge in Pakistan. Pakistani women are con-tributing only 25-30% in nation’s economy which is quite low as compared with other developed as well as developing countries such as United Kingdom (UK), United States of America (USA), Ma-laysia, China, Indonesia and India. To address this problem, the primary objective of this study was to examine the role of microfinance institutions in women-empowerment. Moreover, moderating role of vulnerability was also examined. Quantitative research approach and cross-sectional research design were adopted. Data were collected from the female clients of microfinance institutes in Southern Punjab, Pakistan. Survey was conducted to collect the data and questionnaires were dis-tributed by using area cluster sampling. SmartPLS (SEM) was used to analyze the data. It was found that non-financial services of microfinance institutes such as training/skill development pro-grams and social capital development had positive contributions towards women-empowerment. Moreover, vulnerability moderated the relationship between social capital and women empowerment. Thus, this study contributed in the body of literature by investigating vulnerability as moderating variable. Hence, this study is beneficial for microfinance institutes to enhance women-empowerment through training/skill development and social capital development.


This article has been retracted.

Supply chain performance has been a key element of competitive strategy to boost organizational productivity and profitability. In the United Kingdom (UK), a survey disclosed that approximately 40% of the UK’s gross domestic product (GDP) was consumed on supply chain related activities. Because of the extensive use of gross domestic product (GDP) on supply chain, it is important to work on UK based supply chain companies and to reveal various factors to enhance supply chain performance. Therefore, the primary objective of the current study is to investigate the combine effect of audit determinants and leadership styles to enhance supply chain performance in UK based companies. Data were collected from audit department employees and other managerial employees who are closely related to supply chain activities. After analyzing the data through Smart PLS 3, it was found that audit and leadership styles played important contribution in supply chain performance. Moreover, top management and employee commitment to change maintained significant influence to enhance positive effect on audit and leadership. This study is much significant for UK supply chain companies to enhance supply chain performance.