This paper examines the link between creative and innovative leadership and FinTech adoption through the transmission mechanisms of perceived ease of use (PEOU) and perceived usefulness (PU). This study used a questionnaire survey method to collect data from a sample of 721 employees working in the Indian financial services sector. The data were analyzed using structural equation modelling. The study results revealed a significant and positive influence of creative and innovative leadership, PEOU, and PU on FinTech adoption. Moreover, PEOU and PU mediated the link between creative and innovative leadership and FinTech adoption. This study proposes a new vision for managerial procedures to understand the critical aspects regarding FinTech adoption. The study advises that engineering managers should offer simple and user-friendly technology to enhance the adoption rate. Additionally, the results suggest the importance of creative and innovative leadership for competitively exploiting novel technologies. Given India’s digital revolution and huge market potential, the FinTech sector could prove a game-changer, especially in generating employment for the young and technologically qualified population. Tech-driven organizations could use the study findings strategically in this digital era.

Purpose: This study aims to investigate how women’s active engagement in social enterprises contributes to their economic empowerment, psychological empowerment (PSE) and perceived social value creation (SVC) in northern India. It further examines the role of PSE in shaping the economic and social outcomes. Design/methodology/approach: Using a quantitative cross-sectional design, data were collected from female actively engaged in social enterprises, cooperatives and livelihood-based NGOs. The study used partial least squares structural equation modeling to test the hypothesized relationships and assess both direct and indirect effects. Findings: The results reveal that active engagement in social enterprises significantly enhances both economic and PSE. PSE further mediates the relationship between participation and both empowerment outcomes, confirming its central role as an enabler of PSE. Economic and PSE also positively influenced perceived SVC, underscoring the multidimensional nature of women’s empowerment. Social implications: The findings emphasize the need for social enterprises to integrate participatory training, leadership roles and collective learning mechanisms to strengthen women’s agency and confidence. These results align with Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 5, SDG 8 and SDG 10), highlighting social enterprises as inclusive platforms for reducing inequality and fostering sustainable community development. Originality/value: This study contributes to the limited empirical evidence from India by offering an integrated framework linking social enterprise participation with multidimensional empowerment outcomes. By combining empowerment theory and the SVC perspective, it advances both theoretical understanding and policy relevance in gender and social enterprise research.