Exploratory Factor Analysis Approach Research Articles

Preliminary model development for archipelago country logistic system

Indonesia, the largest island country in the world, requires a reliable logistics system to meet its people's needs. The National Logistics System Development Blueprint (SISLOGNAS) supports this process, increasing trade, economic productivity, infrastructure investment, and employment opportunities. However, Indonesia's logistics performance index is currently ranked 61st out of 139 countries surveyed. To address these issues, an initial model was developed for national logistics system variables for archipelagic countries. This research uses an exploratory factor analysis approach with Jamovi software. The study found that 50 indicators in the logistics system of an archipelagic country like Indonesia are classified into six categories: services, commodities, logistics infrastructure, modes of transportation, timeliness, and technology. These indicators interconnect to develop an effective and efficient national logistics network

Risk assessment of driver performance in the oil and gas transportation industry: Analyzing the relationship between driver vigilance, attention, reaction time, and safe driving practices

The increasing use of road traffic for land transportation has resulted in numerous road accidents and casualties, including those involving oil and gas tanker vehicles. Despite this, little empirical research has been conducted on the factors influencing tanker drivers' performance. This study aims to address this knowledge gap, particularly in the energy transportation industry, by examining the driving performance factors that affect tanker drivers and incorporating risk assessment measures. The model variables were identified from the literature and used to develop a survey questionnaire for the study. A total of 307 surveys were collected from Malaysian oil and gas tanker drivers, and the driving performance factors were contextually adjusted using the Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) approach. The driving performance model was developed using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). The EFA results categorized driving performance into two constructs: 1) drivers' reaction time with β = 0.320 and 2) attention and vigilance with β value = 0.749. The proposed model provided full insight into how drivers’ reaction time, attention, and vigilance impact drivers' performance in this sector, which can help identify potential risks and prevent accidents. The findings are significant in understanding the factors that affect oil and gas drivers' performance and can aid in enhancing oil and gas transportation management by including effective risk assessment measures to prevent fatal crashes.

Factors Forming the Quality of Electronic Services of Payment System Service Providers (PJSP) QRIS on Micro Businesses (Merchants) in Bandung City with E-Service Quality and IS Success approaches

Acceleration in various fields that occur today also affects the payment system that can be used by consumers. Consumers are currently presented with various cashless payment systems that are considered more convenient than previous payment methods. One of the cashless payment systems that are widely used today is QRIS or Quick Response Code Indonesian Standard. However, until now there has been no instrument that specifically measures the e-service quality provided by PJSP QRIS to its merchants. This research aims to provide alternative e-service quality with more specific indicators at PJSP QRIS for micro business merchants in Bandung City, with the E-Service Quality and IS Success approaches. In this study, the subjects observed were micro business merchants in Bandung City who used QRIS for their payment system. Respondents were determined based on non-probability sampling with a judgmental sampling technique of 190 respondents. This research uses quantitative methods with an exploratory factor analysis (EFA) approach to categorize and determine what factors make up the dimensions of electronic service quality. The research instrument used a questionnaire with 38 items that referred to the five dimensions of E-Service Quality and two dimensions of IS Success. Based on the research conducted, all the items studied formed three main factors that became measurements of QRIS e-service quality. The first is the responsiveness factor with 14 measurement items. The second is the assurance factor with five measurement items and the third factor is the reliability factor with 17 measurement items.

Designing key performance indicators (KPIs) for decent work in the pharmaceutical supply chain of Iran

While decent work has emerged as the central theme of the psychology of work theory and a global concept and directive for promoting social, political, and economic justice, it has garnered increasing scientific and political attention in the past two decades. However, until now, no defined measurement scale for the pharmaceutical supply chain exists. The present study aims to design and validate key performance indicators (KPIs) for 'decent work' in the pharmaceutical industry supply chain of Iran, using the Decent Work Daffi Scale (2017) as a reliable framework with five sub-scales and 15 items, tested and validated. For the validation of the Decent Work Scale, a quantitative survey study was conducted among selected pharmaceutical industry experts with a sample size of 228 individuals in the year 2023. The current study adopted an exploratory factor analysis approach using SPSS software and a confirmatory factor analysis through AMOS version 24 software. In this context, the factor structure, convergent validity, discriminant validity, and Cronbach's alpha coefficients were examined. The results showed that the five-factor structure outperforms the one-factor model with evidence supporting the convergent, discriminant, and predictive validity of the five-factor scale. Thus, the measurement of decent work in the pharmaceutical industry of Iran comprises five sub-scales: occupational safety conditions, access to healthcare, adequate remuneration, Free time and rest, and alignment of organizational values with family and societal values. This scale can serve as a useful tool for industrial and organizational psychology research, as well as for studies on the sustainability of social supply chains.

A Simple Two-Step Procedure for Fitting Fully Unrestricted Exploratory Factor Analytic Solutions with Correlated Residuals

A frequent criticism of exploratory factor analysis (EFA) is that it does not allow correlated residuals to be modelled, while they can be routinely specified in the confirmatory (CFA) model. In this article, we propose an EFA approach in which both the common factor solution and the residual matrix are unrestricted (i.e., the correlated residuals need not be specified a priori). The estimation procedures are two-stage and based on the unweighted least squares principle. Procedures for judging the solution appropriateness (including goodness of fit) are also proposed. The simulation studies and illustrative example suggest that the approach works quite well Although the proposal is based on existing results, most of the developments can be considered to be new contributions, and are expected to be particularly useful in the earlier stages of item calibration. The whole procedure has been implemented in both R language and a well-known non-commercial EFA program.

Development and Validation of Cyberbullying Measurement Instrument: A Mixed Method Approach

This research is motivated by the increasing increase in cyber bullying and the negative impacts it causes. This research aims to develop a cyberbullying measurement instrument using a mixed methods approach involving three stages. Theme exploration stage, namely the qualitative stage with open questionnaire data collection techniques to explore themes surrounding Cyberbullying. At this stage the data analysis technique applied is open coding (65 participants). The testing stage is the content validity stage where the instrument is assessed by experts using the Aiken formula. This stage also includes factor analysis with an exploratory factor analysis (EFA) approach which helps identify the factorial structure underlying the instrument, relationships between items, and grouping items based on dimensions (270 participants). Scale validation stage where at this stage confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was carried out to test and validate the factorial model identified through EFA (789 Participants). Sampling technique uses convenience sampling technique. The results of the research show that based on the CFA test, the cyber bullying scale showed that all items had loading factor values >0.5 and construct reliability >0.7, as well as AVE results >0.5, so that all the items used were forming factors of the latent variable. The items used are valid and reliable items so they can be relied upon as research measuring tools. Reliable Cyberbullying measurement instruments can more precisely identify cyberbullying behavior and thus can assist in a better understanding of this phenomenon, so that prevention and intervention efforts can be targeted more effectively.

Cybersex and Attachment Styles: Proposal of the Emotional and Relational Aspects in Cybersex Activities (ERACA) Questionnaire.

The current study presents the development and the initial validation of a new questionnaire to assess individual differences in emotional and relational aspects related to cybersex activities (i.e., the ERACA). A total of 246 adults (105 females, mean age = 31.89 years, SD = 10.03) coming from the general adult population participated in the study. The items of the ERACA were developed considering the extant literature, and an exploratory factor analysis approach indicated a three-factor structure (i.e., the gratification of the Self through the objectification of other people, the gratification of the Self through relational aspects, betrayal, and infidelity). The associations between the dimensions of the ERACA and dimensional measures of both attachment styles and online sexual behaviors indicated that different aspects related to the quality of the relationships play a different role in individual differences concerning emotional and relational aspects of cybersex activities. The discussion emphasizes the potential usefulness of the ERACA questionnaire for both research purposes and from a health-promoting point of view.

The validation of financial behavior instruments for university students: An exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis approach

This study aimed to develop and validate instruments for measuring financial behavioral constructs. This study contributes to looking at the habits of university students in managing pocket money earned from parents in daily life. The sample of this study is economic education students at state universities in Indonesia. Data collection was carried out through online questionnaires. Data analysis was carried out in 2 stages, namely, EFA (Exploratory Factor Analysis) in a pilot study of 112 respondents and CFA (Confirmatory Factor Analysis) of 440 respondents in the field study. The results showed that the financial behavior constructs with three dimensions, namely, saving behavior, spending behavior, and financial planning, have met the validity and reliability requirements to be used in future research. Researchers can then review other factors that affect financial behavior so that they can find other factors that can influence it. In addition, this study can also be carried out in various countries, but sufficient data support is needed if the dimensions in this construct will be used in future research.

Service Quality Framework for private higher open distance e-learning institutions in South -Africa

The primary purpose of this paper was to develop an industry-specific service quality framework for private higher education institutions in an open distance e-learning environment in South Africa. Service quality for higher education operations is a key performance objective due to the increasingly competitive, marketing-oriented and highly regulated environment. Using a quantitative research approach, this research was conducted at two private higher education institutes. Data analysis included an exploratory factor analysis (EFA) approach followed by confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Finally, a service quality framework was compiled consisting of four primary constructs. The paper makes a pioneering contribution and bridges a significant gap with the development of the first Open Distance and e-Learning service quality framework for private higher education institutions in South Africa.

Identifying Patient Benefits of a Novel Tool in Routine Prenatal Care: An Exploratory Factor Analysis Approach

Identifying Patient Benefits of a Novel Tool in Routine Prenatal Care: An Exploratory Factor Analysis Approach

Use of Exploratory Factor Analysis to Assess the Fitness Performance of Youth Football Players.

Perroni, F, Castagna, C, Amatori, S, Gobbi, E, Vetrano, M, Visco, V, Guidetti, L, Baldari, C, Luigi Rocchi, MB, and Sisti, D. Use of exploratory factor analysis to assess the fitness performance of youth football players. J Strength Cond Res 37(7): e430-e437, 2023-Football performance involves several physical abilities that range in aerobic, anaerobic, and neuromuscular domains; however, little is known about their interplay in profiling individual physical attributes. This study aimed to profile physical performance in youth football players according to their training status. One hundred seven young male soccer players (age 13.5 ± 1.4 years; height 168 ± 7 cm; body mass 57.4 ± 9.6 kg; and body mass index 20.2 ± 2.1 kg·m -2 ) volunteered for this study. Players' physical performance was assessed with football-relevant field tests for sprinting (10 m sprint), vertical jump (countermovement jump), intermittent high-intensity endurance (Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 1, YYIRT1), and repeated sprint ability (RSA). The training status was assumed as testosterone and cortisol saliva concentrations; biological maturation was estimated using the Pubertal Development Scale. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) revealed 3 main variables depicting anthropometric (D1, 24.9%), physical performance (D2, 18.8%), and training status (D3, 13.3%), accounting for 57.0% of total variance altogether. The level of significance was set at p ≤ 0.05. The RSA and YYIRT1 performances were largely associated with D2, suggesting the relevance of endurance in youth football. This study revealed that for youth football players, a 3-component model should be considered to evaluate youth soccer players. The EFA approach may help to disclose interindividual differences useful to talent identification and selection.

Finding a mathematical disposition instrument of junior high school students in Indonesia

The study aimed to find an instrument for measuring the mathematical disposition of junior high school students in Indonesia. The research type was research and development, which is used to develop instruments of students' mathematical disposition. Data were collected from 384 respondents, who filled out a questionnaire with a total of 7 indicators and 25 statement items. 384 responses were divided into two criteria, stage 1 and stage 2, with each test having 197 respondents. Stage 1 analysis used the Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) approach, while stage 2 used the Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) approach. Stage 1 obtained validation of 23 items with a loading factor of more than 0.4, consisting of 1 invalid item and 1 item was not meet expectations. The results of the CFA analysis have proven that 23 items were valid with a loading factor of more than 0.4. The reliability coefficient was 0.59, with an SEM value of 3.98. In sum, this instrument has 23 statements that have fulfilled the validity and reliability of the instrument and were feasible to use.

Yin-yang framework of decision-making: Development and assessment of Yin-yang decision-making styles questionnaire

Decision-making styles represent the typical manner individuals use to make decisions. This study aimed to develop and test the structure of a decision-making style questionnaire based on the Yin-yang framework of decision making. Two studies were carried out. In Study 1, we generated an initial item pool of 122 items using a theory-driven approach. Then three focus groups were used to finalize 54 items for the field testing. Third, using a hybrid of iterative exploratory factor analysis and ant colony optimization approach (n = 895), we identified 23 items that were deemed best to represent five constructs of the yin-yang framework of decision making: adaptability, relative positioning, self-awareness, proactivity, and prudence. In Study 2, we performed the validation study (n = 569) by testing three models of the yin-yang framework of decision making styles. We also explored age and sex differences. The results from two studies provide initial support for the factor structure and reliability of the Yin-yang decision-making questionnaires. The results were discussed in the context of the yin-yang framework and age and sex differences regarding these constructs.

A Latent Variable Analysis of Psychomotor and Neurocognitive Performance After Acute Cannabis Smoking.

This paper evaluated a novel, tablet-based neurocognitive and psychomotor test battery for detecting impairment from acute cannabis smoking using advanced quantitative methods. The study was conducted in a state with legal, recreational cannabis use and included participants who use cannabis occasionally or daily, and a no use comparison group. Participants completed a tablet-based test assessing reaction time, decision making, working memory and spatial-motor performance. The test was completed before and after participants smoked cannabis (or after a rest period in the case of controls). An Exploratory Factor Analysis approach was implemented to reduce dimensionality and evaluate correlations across the four assessed domains. Linear regression models were utilized to quantify associations between factor scores and cannabis use groups (daily vs. occasional vs. no use). Seven factors were identified explaining 56.7% of the variance among the 18 measures. Regression models of the change in factors after cannabis smoking indicated those who use cannabis daily demonstrated poorer performance on a latent factor termed Displaced and Delayed (standardized coefficient 0.567, 95% CI: 0.178, 0.955; P = 0.005) compared to those with no use. Those who use cannabis occasionally exhibited a decline in performance on a latent factor termed Recall and Reaction (standardized coefficient 0.714, 95% CI: 0.092, 1.336; P = 0.025) compared to no use. This analysis demonstrates an innovative, quantitative approach to study how cannabis consumption affects neurocognitive and psychomotor performance. Results demonstrated that acute cannabis use is associated with changes in neurocognitive and psychomotor performance, with differences based on the pattern of occasional or daily use.

Barriers to Incident Reporting in the Pakistani Construction Industry: An Exploratory Factor Analysis Approach

The construction industry is among the most hazardous industries, with workers routinely involved in critical accidents. Following proper safety procedures can help reduce these accidents. Incident reporting is widely regarded as an effective approach to improving worker safety on construction sites, as it allows relevant stakeholders to learn from past events. Despite the acknowledged significance of incident reporting in reducing accident rates, several researchers have reported that the construction industry still lacks effective reporting and investigation practices. This study aims to explore the barriers that inhibit the reporting of incidents in the Pakistani construction industry. Through a detailed literature review, 29 barriers that inhibit effective incident reporting were identified. A questionnaire survey was then carried out to include the perspective of construction industry professionals on the identified barriers. A total of 214 responses were collected. Further, for dimension reduction, exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was utilised and resultantly, four components were revealed and discussed. These components include organisational, individual, environmental and technical. The findings of this study will help the relevant stakeholders in the construction industry improve safety performance by mitigating these reporting challenges at the construction sites, resulting in a better working environment for workers with fewer risks and accidents.

Predicting the Antecedents of Quality of Life from the Use of Smart Technologies in Supermarket Retail: An in-depth Investigation Using Artificial Neural Networks

This article aims to identify the determining factors for advances in smart technologies in supermarket retail that influence citizens’ quality of life in the context of the COVID-19 crisis. We developed a theoretical model using Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) from a sample of 469 users of smart technologies in supermarket retail. In contrast, a multivariate Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) approach organized the input data to an artificial neural network (ANN) model to predict factors of importance to the quality of life. Based on the results, this study revealed that the coexistence of the proposed predictive variables is analyzed to understand the quality of life using smart technologies and analyzing the users through generational classification. Subjective safety proved to be the construct with the most important predictive power of data analysis, and, at the same time, it is one of the main concerns of consumers.

Development and Identification of Psychometric Properties Work Engagement

This research aims to develop an instrument of measuring work engagement in the company employees. The concept of work engagement used in developing a measuring instrument consists of three aspects: vigor, dedication and absorption. Work engagement scale was trialed online with 152 employees consisting of 72 males and 80 females. Data analysis was conducted using Aiken’s V with ten (10) raters. The result of Aikens’ V validity analysis resulted in value ranging between 0.6 and 0.95. The development of measuring instrument undertook reliability test using Cronbach’s Alpha technique with score of 0.885. The item with discriminating power ranging between 0.249 and 0.642 was maintained as it did not affect the reliability of scale. The concept of work engagement used in this measuring instrument development was unidimensional. The scale developing process in this research used factor analysis with Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) approach. The result of factor analysis shows Barlett Test of Sphericity value of 1181,992 with p<0.01 meaning that there is no significant correlation between variables. The result of calculation with KMO of 0.864 indicates that the factor analysis can be continued. Based on the result of factor analysis obtained, the cumulative percentage is 50.385%. The scale’s loading factor obtained from factor analysis using EFA ranges between 0.428 and 0.867. Eighteen (18) out of 39 items are said to be valid.

Exploring Tax Audits Instrument Validation: Perceptions Of Tax Inspectors At A Tax Office In Bandung City

The state's critical role in tax revenue is essential for national development's sustainability and smooth running. One way to increase tax revenue is to conduct tax audits on potentially problematic taxpayers. This study aims to explore the tax audit instrument. Researchers tested the statement instrument to measure tax audits from employee perceptions directly related to tax audits, with as many as 40 people at one tax office in Bandung. The researcher used an exploratory factor analysis approach with the principal axis factor and oblimin extraction methods. The calculation results show the KMO value of 64.2%; the tax audit variable form into four factors. Furthermore, a simple calculation using the Partial Least Square (PLS) approach shows adequate validity and reliability values. The calculation results indicate that the statement items developed from the aspects of the audit, implementation, and reporting of the tax audit results meet the initial criteria to become an indicator of measuring the tax audit instrument. The study results provide an adequate tax audit instrument; however, further testing needs to validate this instrument to use in general.

The psychometric properties of the Iranian version of Social Communication Questionnaire (SCQ) in children with autism spectrum disorder

PurposeThis study aims to investigate the psychometric properties of the social communication questionnaire (SCQ) in Iran by identifying children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) who had Persian-speaking parents.Design/methodology/approachA case–control study was performed from June to August 2021 in Hamadan, Iran. The case group consisted of children who were examined by clinicians who used a coding scheme based on the DSM-V criteria for ASD by a psychiatrist. The control group consisted of non-ASD children who were asked to participate in the study. This study conducted the reliability, content and face validity to evaluate the psychometric properties of the tool. In the first step, Kaiser–Meyer–Olkin and Bartlett’s test were used to determine sampling adequacy and appropriateness of correlation matrix. In the second step, the exploratory factor analysis approach was used. The method of extracting the factors is done by using the varimax rotation method and selecting the number of factors using an eigenvalue and scree plot. Statistical analysis was performed using Software Package for Social Sciences 21 with the statistical significance set at level less than 0.05.FindingsThe quantitative content validity analysis revealed that the mean of content validity ratio and content validity index were 0.92 and 0.91, respectively. Mean score ± standard deviation in the two groups of ASD and control were 14.23 ± 3.84 and 7.83 ± 4.80, respectively. With cut-off point >12.5, sensitivity, specificity and misclassification error values were 73.33%, 80.0% and 23%, respectively.Research limitations/implicationsThe results showed that the internal consistency of the SCQ is desirable. Also, the internal consistency of its five subscales was obtained between 0.700 and 0.87. The findings showed that SCQ questionnaire is highly reliable in reciprocal social interaction (Factor 1) and the total score, while other factors were relatively reliable.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first paper on psychometric properties of SCQ in ASD children in Iran.

On-site building construction workers perspective on environmental impacts of construction-related activities: a relative importance index (RII) and exploratory factor analysis (EFA) approach

The construction sector has massive direct and indirect impacts on the environment; as such, improving the environmental performance of the construction industry requires knowledge about the nature of environmental impacts. On-site construction workers get exposed to construction-related environmental impacts, but have received limited research attention on impact identification. This study examined on-site workers’ perspectives on the major environmental impacts of building construction processes. Data was collected from 221 on-site building construction workers using a structured questionnaire. The data was analyzed using a relative importance index (RII) to determine the importance levels of environmental impacts and exploratory factor analysis (EFA) for dimension reduction. The RII revealed that dust generation, noise, vibration, and raw material consumption were the impacts of the highest importance levels of severity. The EFA result showed that local issues were the most influential component. The perceived severity of environmental impacts associated with construction-related activities by on-site construction workers were influenced by their exposure experience. The environmental impacts that directly affect or serve as occupational hazards were ranked as the most severe. This study recommends establishing control measures at construction sites considering the health impact of dust and noise pollution on the well-being of on-site construction workers and the local community.