Covariance Structure Analysis Research Articles

스포츠용품 기업의 사회적 책임활동과 기업평판, 행동의도의 관계

This study was designed to shed light on the relationship among social responsibility activities, corporate reputation and behavior intention of sports goods companies. To accomplish such research purpose, researcher identified the causal relationship through confirmatory factor analysis after having established relationship models among social responsibility activities, corporate reputation and behavior intention on precedent research works and hypothetical model. 432 participants were sampled from the members for the sports clubs located in Gyeonggido region by using convenient sampling method. Based on this, frequency analysis, reliability analysis, and correlation analysis were conducted with SPSS 21.0 program, and confirmatory factor analysis was carried out with AMOS 21.0 program in order to verify the construct validity. Then, the goodness of fit of the model was verified through covariance structural analysis, and based on which, the following conclusions have been drawn. First, in all variables such as economic, legal and ethical responsibilities, which are sub-factors of social responsibility activities,they had a significant impact on corporate reputation. Second, ethical responsibility, a sub-factor of social responsibility activities, had a significant effect on behavioral intention, but not on economic and legal responsibility. Third, corporate reputation had a significant effect on behavior intention.

Characterization of Profiles as Management Strategies Based on the Importance and Valuation That Users Give to the Elements of the Golf Courses

The main objective of this study was to characterize golfers’ profiles based on the importance and valuation that users give to the elements of golf courses, considering the segmentation as key to making strategic decisions. This was done using a priori segmentation of the traditional style against a post hoc segmentation based on the importance that users concede to variability of elements of golf courses. Moreover, the relationship between the quality attributed to the service dimensions and the golf course global performance was examined for each of the obtained segments. The results have established certain specific characteristics of the typical golf user and two large segments of golfers were identified from Cluster Analysis (Competitives and Socials), they were made up of the following subgroups: Regular-leisure and business and matures-familiar. The causal analysis of covariance structures for each segment revealed partially different interests. This study provides useful information for managers to design management strategies that address the different characteristics, interests, and priorities of their customers and potential customers in order to win them, keep them, satisfy them, and build their loyalty, ensuring the development and sustainability of the entity.

Study of the Correlation Between Multiple Chemical Sensitivity and Personality Using the Quick Environmental Exposure Sensitivity Inventory Questionnaire and the Temperament and Character Inventory.

Objective:We conducted an analysis using the Quick Environmental Exposure Sensitivity Inventory to examine the correlation between multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) and personality traits by using temperament and character inventory, and environmental exposures.Methods:An anonymous questionnaire was distributed to 667 employees working at an IT manufacturing plant in Japan. Variables including chemically sensitive population (CSP), personality, and environmental chemical exposure were individually evaluated using U-test, chi-squared test, and correlation analyses. We also did covariance structure analysis to build a structural equation model.Results:There was little direct impact of temperament on the CSP, while there was a significant impact of character on the CSP. Women were more likely to exhibit symptoms of CSP.Conclusion:MCS is correlated with personality, impacted more by character acquired later in life than innate temperament. There were sex differences in the incidence of MCS.

大学生の感動体験と精神的健康、心理的well-beingの関係 : 共分散構造分析による因果モデルの検討

大学生の感動体験と精神的健康、心理的well-beingの関係 : 共分散構造分析による因果モデルの検討

A structural model for quality of life of alcoholics

To investigate the factors affecting the quality of life of alcoholics and to identify the relationships between these factors to establish and verify a hypothetical model for the quality of life of alcoholics. Covariance structure analysis using structural equation model. Participants were 223 adults who were hospitalized at alcohol addiction treatment centre after being diagnosed with alcoholism in Gyunggi-do, South Korea. Data included the general characteristics of study participants, depression, abstinence self-efficacy, stress level, stress coping strategy, social support and quality of life. Data were collected from March - 28 May 2016 and were analysed using SPSS 22.0 and AMOS 22.0. The factors affecting the quality of life of alcoholics included alcohol abstinence self-efficacy (β=0.37, t=4.56), stress copying strategy (β=0.23, t=2.37), stress level (β=-0.20, t=-2.08) and social support (β=0.14, t=2.52). Factor analysis and statistical significance level was used for model coefficients and t-value estimation. This study suggested that to improve the quality of life of alcoholics, their alcohol abstinence self-efficacy should be increased, measures to improve their stress coping strategy and ability should be prepared, their stress level should be lowered and the social support system perceived by them should be strengthened. Health professionals need to pay attention to the affecting factors to improve the quality of life of alcoholics. Alcoholism is emerging as a social problem, not just an individual problem. Alcohol abstinence self-efficacy had the greatest direct effect on the quality of life of alcoholics, followed by stress coping strategy, stress level and social support, which had significant direct effects. Depression had significant indirect effect on the quality of life of alcoholics. Health professionals need to pay attention to the affecting factors to improve the quality of life of alcoholics in clinical practice or community fields.

A Study on the Management of a Model Area Considering Childcare Support and Mutual Assistance to Overcome Population Decline in Funahashi Village, Toyama Prefecture

In recent years, the community development by the childcare support and mutual assistance that contributes to regional revitalization policy is expected to overcome a declining population. Under such a background, we clarified the change of consciousness of users of a model area considering childcare support and mutual assistance in Funahashi Village, Toyama Prefecture. A questionnaire survey was distributed to the service users of the model area to identify (1) factors affecting the rating of the service (satisfaction with each service item), (2)overall rating of the service (overall satisfaction), and (3) changes in user’s consciousness regarding "participation in childcare services", "mutual assistance", "emigration and settlement." After collecting questionnaire responses, covariance structure analysis was conducted to verify the relationship among valuables of these 3 questions. We found that the change of user’s consciousness (3) was directly affected by satisfaction with “each service item” (1) and “overall satisfaction” (2). Considering these findings, we proposed appropriate directions for the future development of the community development by childcare support and mutual assistance and the direction of new business style reform in the landscaping industry.

Decision factors and benchmarks of EIA report quality for Japan’s cooperation projects

The quality of environmental impact assessment (EIA) reports is fundamental to making good decisions, but the low quality of EIA reports is a constraint in developing countries. Previous studies pointed out many factors influencing report quality based on professional perspectives. However, the decision factors of report quality are not well known. The purposes of this study are to identify the decision factors and benchmarks of the overall quality of EIA reports for Japan’s cooperation projects and to verify the effects of the decision factors on report quality. The study reviewed the quality of 160 reports from 2001 to 2016 and examined potential factors influencing the overall quality of reports using statistical tests, cluster analysis, decision tree analysis, and covariance structure analysis. The study identified the alternatives and public involvement as the decision factors among potential factors, and their linkage affected the quality of reports. The study concluded that the just satisfactory grade of alternatives and public involvement at scoping and draft reporting stages were the benchmarks for satisfactory EIA reports. Further verification through comparative studies and case studies is needed to confirm how two processes have an effect on the quality of reports.

The impact of entrepreneurship on managerial innovation capacity: The moderating effects of policy finance and management support

Purpose: Entrepreneurship can offer a competitive advantage to an enterprise through risky decisions that pay off in the development of innovative products, services and markets in a difficult managerial environment and by moving proactively to dominate a competitive market. This study aims to examine the relationship between entrepreneurship and managerial innovation capacity by considering subfactors, such as innovativeness, proactiveness and risk-taking, as well as to explore the relationship between managerial innovation capacity and management performance. The study determines the extent to which policy finance and management support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) play the role of moderating variables.Design/methodology/approach: Data collection was carried out in 820 SMEs. To verify the hypotheses, Covariance Structure Analysis was conducted using EQS6b.Findings/results: The findings indicate that entrepreneurship has a significant influence on strategic planning, research and development, and technology commercialisation. This study found that managerial innovation capacities have positive effects on management performance. In addition, this study confirmed that when entrepreneurship affects managerial innovation activities, policy financial support and management support serve as moderators.Practical implications: Small and medium-sized enterprises should enhance their innovation capacity and expand innovative entrepreneurship and policy finance to achieve competitiveness, survive and show continuous development and growth in a changing environment.Originality/value: The study provides SMEs with information they can use to increase their awareness of internal managerial innovation activities, which are the original sources of competitive advantage, and help promote research and development (RD) and organizational management for continuous reinforcement of innovation capacity. the study provides SMEs with information they can use to increase their awareness of internal managerial innovation activities, which are the original sources of competitive advantage, and help promote RD and organizational management for continuous reinforcement of innovation capacity.

Effects of emotions and brand personality on consumer commitment, via the mediating effects of brand trust and attachment

Based on the concepts of brand personality and emotion, this article focuses on their respective impacts on the main variables of brand relationship, trust, attachment and overall commitment with the brand. Based on a large panel of consumers, the statistical processing was conducted according to a covariance structure analysis (CSA) or a partial least squares (PLS) approach, with measurement error carefully taken into account. The corresponding model confirms the impact of brand emotion and personality on consumer commitment through the mediating effects of trust and brand attachment. More precisely, the results show the total mediating role-played by trust in the impact of a brand’s personality on commitment. Finally, the analysis highlights the stability of the results on the six brands tested in this research. However, it also illustrates significant differences between brands depending on their evaluative or hedonic nature.

The relationship between cognitive distortion, depressive symptoms, and social adaptation: A survey in Japan

BackgroundIn the treatment of depression, improvements in both clinical symptoms and social adaptation are important. Previous studies have shown that cognitive distortion and depressive symptoms are mutually related, and that depressive symptoms and social adaptation are related to each other. However, it is unknown how these three factors interrelate. Therefore, this study examined the relationship between cognitive distortion, depressive symptoms, and social adaptation. MethodsThe final analyzed sample consisted of 430 employees of a manufacturing company in Japan (74.2% male, 24.7% female, 1.2% unknown). Participants completed the Worker's Cognitive Distortion Scale (WCDS), Beck Depression Inventory-Second Edition (BDI-II), and Social Adaptation Self-Evaluation Scale (SASS). The WCDS was further divided into two subscales: self-contained cognitive distortion (WCDS-S) and environment-dependent cognitive distortion (WCDS-E). We used a covariance structure analysis for the main analysis and examined the relationship between these three variables’ scores. ResultsThe results revealed that both the WCDS-S and WCDS-E affected social adaptation indirectly via depressive symptoms, and that the WCDS-S additionally affected social adaptation directly. It was further revealed that the WCDS-S exerted a greater effect on depressive symptoms than the WCDS-E. LimitationsThe participants were healthy cases. As such, one must be cautious about applying the results of healthy cases to clinical cases. ConclusionsThis study indicates that cognitive distortion affects social adaptation directly and that it is indirectly mediated by depressive symptoms. Thus, professionals are required to attempt to treat depressive symptoms and improve social adaptation by considering that interventions in cognitive distortion may be effective.

Psychosocial determinants of depression and maladaptive behaviour in adolescence: two tested models

Objective: Self-esteem has been identified as a strong predictor of depression and maladaptive behaviours in adolescents. Two relational models (A and B) were tested on the antecedent and consequent variables of self-esteem. Methods: A representative sample of 610 Spanish adolescents (52% boys) ranging in age from 11 to 16 years of age (mean age = 13.38 years, SD = 1.70 years) was used. The participants completed a battery of instruments measuring self-esteem, self-concept, importance of self-concept domains, depression symptoms, and problem behaviour. Covariance structure analysis (path analysis) from LISREL 8.54 was employed. Results: Model B presented a better fit (χ2 difference (A–B) = 160.29, p < 0.001). Perceived social support (parents and classmates), and perceptions of competence in domains deemed important were positively related to self-esteem. While both self-esteem and social support (parents and classmates) were negatively related to depression symptoms, only social support (parents and teacher) appeared negatively related to behavioural problems. Conclusions: While self-esteem constitutes a strong correlate of affective symptoms in Spanish adolescents, it is unrelated to maladaptive behaviour. Social support emerged as an important protective factor. Concrete proposals for future research and prevention are discussed.

Covariance Structure Analysis of a Model for Use in Administrative Evaluation Regarding End-Of-Life Care in Nursing Homes – Promotion of the PDCA Cycle

Covariance Structure Analysis of a Model for Use in Administrative Evaluation Regarding End-Of-Life Care in Nursing Homes – Promotion of the PDCA Cycle

온라인 여행상품선택속성이 신뢰와 관계지속성 및 구매의도에 미치는 영향

This study examined the relationship between information quality, transaction, communication, and stability, which are sub-dimensions of online travel product selection attributes, on trust, relationship persistence, and purchase intention. Data collection was conducted for 30 days from June 25, 2019 to July 25, 2019.A total of 500 questionnaires were distributed to collect 379 copies of the questionnaire. Covariance structure analysis was conducted to verify the factor analysis, reliability verification, and research hypothesis using SPSS 23.0 and AMOS 23.0 for 354 copies. The summary of the analysis is as follows. First, information quality, transaction, and communication, which are sub-dimensions of online travel product selection attributes, have a significant effect on trust. However, stability did not appear to have a significant effect on confidence. Second, information quality, transaction, communication, and stability were found to have a significant effect on relationship persistence. Third, trust has a significant effect on relationship persistence. Fourth, information quality and transaction had a significant effect on purchase intention. However, communication and stability did not have a significant effect on purchase intention. Lastly, trust and relationship persistence had a significant effect on purchase intention.

THE PHYSICAL AND SOCIAL ENVIRONMENTS, SOCIAL ACTIVITIES, AND SUBJECTIVE WELL-BEING: FINDINGS FROM THE K2 STUDY

It has been pointed that the environments effect subjective well-being(SWB). However, it is still not clear what aspects of environments effect SWB among older adults and if degree on physical condition of older adults cause the difference on relations between and environments and SWB. In this study, firstly, we examined the relationship between the physical and social environments, social activities, and SWB in a sample of older Japanese. Secondly, we examined the differences on the effects of environments on SWB between older adults with lower physical functions and those with higher physical functions. We used data from locally representative longitudinal study of older adults 75±1, 80±1, and 85±1 years of age (at baseline) , which was conducted in Japan (The Keio-Kawasaki Aging Study(K2 study) ; N = 1388). Concerning the environments, we assessed the physical environments (public spaces and buildings, and accessibility) and the social environments (culture and recreation programs, and inclusive social environment). Results from covariance structure analyses showed that the accessible physical environment and the social environments were significant predictors of SWB, and showed that accessibility and the social environments influenced SWB via participation of social activities, too. Moreover, results from multiple group structural equation modeling showed that accessibility was a stronger predictor of SWB among older adults with lower physical functions, while accessibility was not a predictor among older adults with higher physical functions. The potential benefits of this approach provide a basic developing compensation model of SWB for this population of older adults.

A Convergence Structural Model for Self-leadership among Female Freshmen in Health Majors Studying TOEIC

This study ascertained convergent influence on self-leadership and its association with self-competence, self-efficacy and locus of control among female freshmen in health majors studying TOEIC. Data collection was carried out using a self-administered questionnaire from April 29, 2019 to May 10, 2019 and the target was randomly selected 201 female freshmen in health majors in TOEIC class from college located in J city. Self-leadership was positively correlated with self-competence, self-efficacy and locus of control. The covariance structure analysis showed that the higher self-competence, the higher self-efficacy and the lower locus of control tend to increase self-leadership. The results of the study indicate that the efforts, to increase self-competence and self-efficacy, to decrease locus of control, are required to improve self-leadership of female freshmen in health majors studying TOEIC. These results are expected to be used for educational counseling and intervention efforts to enhance self-leadership among female freshmen in health majors studying TOEIC. In future studies, further research on additional factors affecting self-leadership is needed.

캡스톤 디자인 수업이 창의적 활동에 미치는 영향에 대한 연구

This study examined the impact and level of variables(collaboration, convergence thinking, creativity problem solving) on the capstone design class. 540 students among engineering colleges in P, K, D and U were sampled. For the statistical analysis, analysis of covariance structure by AMOS 22.0 was applied and the difference between groups in capstone design class by SPSS was analyzed(independent sample t-est). Results from structural equation modeling analyses indicated that a conceptual model shows the following results. Firstly, on the basis of the conceptualized model, capstone design class effected to directly collaboration and capstone design class effected to indirectly convergence thinking and creative problem solving by collaboration. The Collaboration effected to directly convergence thinking and creative problem solving, collaboration effected to indirectly creative problem solving by convergence thinking. Secondly, the average of the experience group in capstone design class was statistically high in collaboration, convergence thinking and creative problem solving.

Better Confidence Intervals for RMSEA in Growth Models given Nonnormal Data

Currently, the best confidence interval (CI) for RMSEA in covariance structure analysis given nonnormal data is proposed by Brosseau-Liard, Savalei, and Li (BSL). A key assumption for the BSL CI often overlooked is that all the nonzero eigenvalues are equal in a matrix related to the model and data nonnormality. This assumption rarely holds in practice, especially for mean and covariance structure analysis, and violating this assumption can entail serious mistakes when the model’s degrees of freedom are small. One important application of moment structure analysis with small degrees of freedom is growth models. In this paper, we propose a new CI method for RMSEA in growth models given nonnormal data, without assuming equal eigenvalues. Although we focus on growth models, our method applies to any other models in moment structure analysis. Simulation results verify the new method is trustworthy and better than all the current methods.

Strategy for the Production of Smartphone Reward Applications Applying the Technology Acceptance Model

This study was conducted to propose a smartphone reward application production strategy. The covariance structure analysis was used for the hypothesis test of this study. The results of the hypothesis testing are as follows. First, the financial benefits and psychological satisfaction benefits of smartphone reward applications have a statistically significant influence on perceived ease-of-use. In contrast, information acquisition benefits had a significantly negative impact on perceived ease-of-use. Second, psychological satisfaction and extra time utilization benefit of smartphone reward application exert a significant effect on perceived usefulness. Third, the perceived ease-of-use of smartphone reward applications has a significant effect on perceived usefulness. Fourth, perceived usefulness of smartphone reward application has a significant effect on persistent intention to use. With the results of this study, we propose useful guidelines for making smartphone reward applications.

The Effect of Self-Control and Parenting Attitude on Cyberbullying: Focus on Mediating Cyber Ethics

Violence and crime are taking place in the cyber space that is forming a new culture and ethics, and internetethical consciousness is required. This study was to investigate whether self - control and parenting attitudedirectly affect cyberbullying. Also, it was confirmed that this self – control and parenting attitude affects cyberethics. In addition, we tried to confirm whether there is a mediating effect of cyber ethics on cyberbullying.For this, 283 data were collected from cyber violence experienced people. The research method used factoranalysis and covariance structure analysis. The results of the study are as follows. First, self - control andparenting attitudes had a significant effect on cyber ethics. Second, the mediating effect was confirmedin the causal relationship between parenting attitude toward children and cyberbullying. These findingssuggest that parents’ democratic attitude and cyber ethics should be strengthened to prevent and reducecyberbullying. It should develop the ability to recognize cyber space correctly through parent educationprogram, cyber ethics awareness program, cyber violence reduction and prevention program.

Assessment of potential clinical cascade between oral hypofunction and physical frailty: Covariance structure analysis in a cross‐sectional study

No report has yet examined the impact of oral hypofunction on physical frailty in relation to intra-relationships of physical frailty assessment items. The purpose of this study was to verify the potential of a clinical cascade between oral hypofunction and physical frailty, and especially to support the hypothesis that the influence of oral hypofunction on physical frailty is greater than the intra-relationships among elements of physical frailty and that sex differences significantly affect these relationships. The participants were 272 older adults (101 men and 171 women; mean age 75.1±7.5years). Maximum occlusal force (MOF) and oral dryness (OD), as indicators of oral hypofunction, and grip strength (GS) and walking speed (WS), as indicators of physical frailty, were measured. Mutual relationship of four variables was verified using covariance structure analysis. In men, three paths from MOF to WS and GS and from WS to GS were confirmed, and those from MOF to WS and from WS to GS were found to be significant (P<.01). In women, three paths from MOF to WS and GS and from WS to GS were also confirmed, as with the men, and those from MOF to WS and from MOF to GS were found to be significant (P<.01). Model adaptability was shown to be good for both men and women. The results suggest our hypothesis was verified, and it is expected that the early detection of oral hypofunction, that is MOF, may be important for assessing physical frailty, especially in women.