First-order Constructs Research Articles

The Scale Validation of Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia’s Microfinance Services and Household Socioeconomic Instrument

Households' socioeconomic outcomes play a crucial role in sustainable development. Both public and private organisations have introduced various microfinance schemes to address economic deprivation. Nevertheless, there is ongoing debate in the literature about the effectiveness of these strategies in improving household socioeconomic performance. Researchers continue to face challenges in identifying key factors that enhance the performance of low-income households, largely due to the absence of reliable measurement tools. This study develops and validates a scale specifically designed to capture the multifaceted effect of microfinance on household socioeconomic well-being. The research introduces measuring constructs for first-order constructs relating to variables such as microfinance services, household Entrepreneurial Competencies (EC), Financial Management Practices (FMP), and socioeconomic performance. Using Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) on data collected from low-income households engaged in microfinance programs in Malaysia, the study assesses the instrument’s reliability and validity. Findings ensure the potential of the validated measurement tool to evaluate the effectiveness of microfinance interventions. The results confirm that the developed instrument is valid and reliable for future studies on microfinance and household economic models.

Development and Validation of Human Resource System Model Using Exploratory and Confirmatory Factor Analysis

This study aims to empirically develop and validate a human resource (HR) system model via exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis (EFA and CFA). The framework proposed, and findings expect to add to an understanding of the procedures that can be embraced for designing the HR system on the basis of the bundling of different strategic HR practices. The data were collected through a structured questionnaire. The sample frame for this study consisted of officer-level employees from 11 Nepalese commercial banks. The final research sample consisted of 248 respondents. This study proposes an answer to how the HR system model can be developed and tested. It validated the extraction of 8 HR practices (dimensions) from 38 items, which were further validated as first-order constructs with 33 items, and the second-order HR system model with 30 items. The tested HR system model provides a comprehensive and holistic picture of the HR system and could be applied to Nepalese organizations. The methods and procedures adopted by this study to develop and validate the HR system model are expected to help Nepalese HR managers and practitioners design their HR policies and practices toward enhanced organizational performance (OP). The findings of this study are significant in the Nepalese context, where human resource management (HRM) still needs to be taken as a system approach on the basis of a multidimensional concept.

Influence of halal marketing on intention towards halal cosmetics: halal awareness and attitude as mediators

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to examine how halal marketing affects intention and to assess the mediating effects of halal awareness and halal attitude on the relationship between halal marketing and intention towards halal cosmetics.Design/methodology/approachThis study adopted a quantitative methodology and used a convenience sampling approach to acquire data from 266 respondents from different regions of Bangladesh. The survey was conducted from December 2022 to February 2023. The data were analysed and hypotheses were tested using partial least square structural equation modelling.FindingsThe findings suggested that all the formulated hypotheses were significant, indicating that halal marketing positively influenced intention towards halal cosmetics. Moreover, the relationship between halal marketing and consumers’ intentions to buy halal cosmetics was mediated by halal awareness and attitude.Practical implicationsThe practical implications of this study are pertinent for Bangladeshi marketers of halal cosmetics. The results of this study will enable the manufacturers and marketers in the halal cosmetics industry to better target their respective customer base. The findings suggest that marketers of halal cosmetics should focus on creating awareness and fostering positive attitudes towards halal products among consumers.Originality/valueThis research has incorporated and tested the impact of halal awareness and halal attitudes as mediating constructs on intention towards halal cosmetics and found both constructs exert a statistically significant impact. Moreover, this paper investigated the halal marketing construct as a higher-order construct consisting of different components of marketing, while previous studies have been found to consider halal marketing as a first-order construct.

“The Sum Is Greater Than the Parts?”—The Role of Student Covitality in Flourishing

Existing studies have revealed associations of positive psychological traits with human thriving and flourishing. However, how these traits co-occur—known as covitality—and how it relates to flourishing remain relatively unexplored. This study aimed to investigate how student covitality as a second-order construct of four school experience-grounded positive psychological traits, namely gratitude, optimism, zest and persistence, predicts flourishing among primary school students. Participants were fourth to sixth graders (N = 1,107, 36.2% Grade 4, 32.8% Grade 5, and 31.0% Grade 6; 50.4% female) from 34 primary schools in Hong Kong (7.1% Hong Kong Island, 36.4% Kowloon, and 56.5% New Territories). In this study, structural equation modelling showed that student covitality as a second-order construct predicted flourishing directly (β = .594), and also indirectly through resilience (β = .111) and prosocial behaviour (β = .062). The findings suggest that student covitality as a latent construct better captures the mechanisms that drive student flourishing than the four individual first-order constructs of positive psychological traits. This study sheds light on future efforts in the field of children’s flourishing to consider school-related covitality as a critical variable in research and to develop school-based strategies that promote covitality in practice.

Driving factors behind mobile payment app users’ continuance intention: insights for service providers in Malaysia

PurposeAs the competition to retain current and attract new mobile payment app users intensifies, meeting users’ needs has become fundamental for mobile payment app service providers to stay competitive. This study aims to investigate the relationship between users’ needs, users’ attitude towards mobile payment apps and users’ continuance intention to use mobile payment apps.Design/methodology/approachFollowing an exploratory sequential mixed methods research design, this study first conducted three focus groups in the qualitative phase to investigate issues or concerns faced by current users of mobile payment apps. The study then conducted an online questionnaire survey in the quantitative phase to collect responses from users of mobile payment apps. Partial least squares structural equation modelling was used to analyse 110 valid responses.FindingsFindings show that usefulness (modelled as a second-order reflective construct consisting of three first-order reflective constructs, i.e. ease of use, acceptability and responsiveness), traceability and security had a statistically significant relationship with attitude towards mobile payment apps (which in turn had a statistically significant relationship with continuance intention to use mobile payment apps). It was also found that attitude towards mobile payment mediated the relationships between usefulness, traceability and security; and continuance intention to use mobile payment apps.Practical implicationsThe findings of this study can help mobile payment app service providers and developers design apps that offer the functions and features that their users need.Originality/valueAlthough some recent studies have investigated the adoption of mobile payments in the Malaysian context, few of these studies examined current users’ continuance intention to use mobile payment apps.

LatinX harm reduction capital, medication for opioid use disorder, and nonfatal overdose: A structural equation model analysis among people who use drugs in Massachusetts

BackgroundWe introduce the concept of harm reduction capital (HRCap) as the combination of knowledge, resources, and skills related to substance use risk reduction, which we hypothesize to predict MOUD use and opioid overdose. In this study, we explored the interrelationships between ethnicity, HRCap, nonfatal overdose, and MOUD use among PWUD. MethodsBetween 2017 and 2019, people who currently or in the past used opioids and who lived in Massachusetts completed a one-time survey on substance use history, treatment experiences, and use of harm reduction services. We fit first-order measurement constructs for positive and negative HRCap (facilitators and barriers). We used generalized structural equation models to examine the inter-relationships of the latent constructs with LatinX self-identification, past year overdose, and current use of MOUD. ResultsHRCap barriers were positively associated with past-year overdose (b=2.6, p<0.05), and LatinX self-identification was inversely associated with HRCap facilitators (b=-0.49, p<0.05). There was no association between overdose in the past year and the current use of MOUD. LatinX self-identification was positively associated with last year methadone treatment (b=0.89, p<0.05) but negatively associated with last year buprenorphine treatment (b=-0.68, p<0.07). Latinx PWUD reported lower positive HRCap than white non-LatinX PWUD and had differential utilization of MOUD. ConclusionOur findings indicate that a recent overdose was not associated with the current use of MOUD, highlighting a severe gap in treatment utilization among individuals at the highest risk. The concept of HRCap and its use in the model highlight substance use treatment differences, opportunities for intervention, and empowerment.

The Memorable Experience in Tourism: the case of the Beto Carrero World Theme Park (SC, Brazil)

A memorable tourism experience corresponds to the memories retained in the tourist’s memory based on the individual experiences perceived during all the phases of a trip to a particular destination. Theme parks are tourist attractions designed with a thematic identity that allows visitors to escape from routine and are based on offering a different world with alternative experiences that can become unforgettable. In this context, this study aimed to analyze the influence of memorable tourism experiences from the Beto Carrero World theme park perspective in Penha-SC, Brazil. This research was conducted using data collected from 680 tourist visitors to the park, using a questionnaire comprising 27 variables that are part of the memorable tourism experience constructs: hedonism, novelty, renewal, meaning, involvement, knowledge, and social interaction. The data was analyzed based on sociodemographic characteristics and multivariate analysis using SPSS and SmartPLS software. The results made it possible to identify a new proposal for a conceptual model to evaluate the meaning of memorable experiences in theme parks and positively confirmed the influence between the memorable tourism experience and each firstorder construct, revealing that immersive hedonism and perceived meaning had the most significant impact on the memorable tourism experience in the theme park.

Psychographic characteristics and demand decisions for life insurance products in Uganda

PurposeThis study examines the relationship between policyholders’ psychographic characteristics and demand decisions for life insurance products in Uganda.Design/methodology/approachThe study is based on a cross-sectional survey. Using a purposive sampling method, 389 questionnaires were administered to life insurance policyholders in the four geographical regions of Uganda. Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was employed to analyze the primary data, specifically to test the relationships between the dependent and independent variables.FindingsThe findings indicate a positive and significant influence of psychographic characteristics on demand decisions for life insurance products. In addition, the analysis indicates that the two first-order constructs of psychographic characteristics, namely price consciousness and consumer innovativeness, are positive and significant predictors of demand decisions for life insurance products. In contrast, the third first-order construct religious salience, exhibits a negative and nonsignificant effect on demand decisions for life insurance products.Practical implicationsFor insurance practitioners, to influence demand decisions, they should emphasize premium-related appeals in their marketing messages (price consciousness) ignore product decisions based on religious beliefs and norms (religious salience). They should also ensure that insurance products are highly trustable and experiential (consumer innovativeness). For insurance policymakers, it offers an in-depth understanding of customer psychographic characteristics, which can be used to identify exploitative information embedded in certain marketing campaigns targeting specific psychographic characteristics, for better regulation.Originality/valueThe study provides a basis for understanding lifestyle and personality characteristics (psychographics), which may influence demand decisions for life insurance products in a developing country like Uganda, where the insurance industry is at an early stage of development.Peer reviewThe peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/IJSE-06-2023-0440

Green … but at what cost? A typology and scale development of perceived green costs

Despite people's growing interest in eco-friendly products, there are still hesitations in action. People perceive costs around the purchase of environmentally friendly alternatives. The present study aims first to conceptualize and organize these green costs in a typology and then operationalize them in a measurement scale. Following the literature on measurement theory, the authors report the results of five studies in developing, purifying and validating the perceived green costs scale (Perceived Green Costs Scale: PGCS). The authors follow Churchill's paradigm for developing a measurement scale and complement it with a nomological validity analysis using Structural Equation Modeling. The typology of perceived green costs incorporates nine types of costs. The operationalization of this typology of costs brought forth nine first-order constructs, eight of which amount to a second-order construct: one-time switching costs (Switching Costs) and the remaining one represents repeated purchase costs (Purchase Costs). The Perceived Green Costs Scale demonstrates reliability of the measure, internal consistency and convergent and divergent validity. Furthermore, the Switching Costs construct confirms the Perceived Green Costs Scale's predictive validity by significantly predicting actual green purchase behavior. Interestingly, the Switching Costs display a significant mediating effect between green attitude and green behavior, extending the theory of planned behavior in a sustainable consumption context. The findings advance knowledge on the green behavioral gap and behavioral frictions in sustainable consumption and help identify the root cause of unsustainable behavior in hopes of eliminating it and designing better customer journeys towards eco-friendly purchases Further implications for brand managers, customer experience architects, educators and consumers are discussed in hopes of catalyzing change toward a more sustainable future.

A hierarchical component model for sustainable performance measurement of maintenance practices: A fourth-order PLS-SEM approach

Despite the growing recognition of the significant role played by effective maintenance practices in pursuing sustainability goals, a rigorous and validated method to assess and monitor its activities’ impacts on the triple-bottom-line is still lacking. To address this gap, this paper proposes a fourth-order Hierarchical Component Model (HCM) for sustainable performance measurement of maintenance practices based on PLS-SEM approach. To validate the model, Oil & Gas industry is surveyed, where a total of 207 responses are obtained from maintenance experts in the Gulf region. The results of the study support the indicators’ reliability as well as the first-order constructs’ internal consistency, convergent validity and discriminant validity. An embedded multistage approach for the higher-order constructs measurement models evaluation reveals that they exhibit satisfactory levels of quality. The structural model evaluation supports the significance of the hypothesized paths, a strong degree of predictive relevance, and the hypothesized mediation relationships proved significant. Finally, the total effect analysis demonstrates that “Energy Use” has the highest effect among first-order variables followed by “Material use”, ‘Costs & Returns”, “Emission & Pollution”, and “Effluents & Waste”. Furthermore, “Energy Use” related indicators have the highest weights among all indicators. This study provides empirical evidence on the causal background of the proposed model’s implicated elements on sustainable performance of maintenance. The findings offer guidance to practitioners in this area and useful insights to decision-makers, as it enables them to determine the inherent impacts of the model components on the overall performance and allocate resources efficiently to increase the maintenance sustainability level.

Political ties and information technology: Untangling their impact on supply chain social responsibility and sustainable performance

Political ties and information technology (IT) are critical elements of a company's socio-technical system that can improve sustainability. This study empirically investigates how political ties and IT influence supply chain social responsibility and sustainable performance using survey data collected from 216 Chinese manufacturing companies. We conceptualize IT as a second-order construct that includes two first-order constructs (i.e., exploratory IT and exploitative IT) and sustainable performance as a second-order construct that includes three first-order constructs (i.e., economic performance, social performance and environmental performance). Supply chain social responsibility is conceptualized as environmental responsibility, philanthropic responsibility and supply chain partner responsibility, which is a second-order construct that includes four first-order constructs (i.e., supplier responsibility, customer responsibility, employee responsibility and investor responsibility). Our findings demonstrate that IT positively affects environmental, philanthropic, and supply chain partner responsibility and mediates political ties' impact on supply chain social responsibility. Besides, environmental responsibility positively affects philanthropic and supply chain partner responsibility. Furthermore, fulfilling environmental and supply chain partner responsibility improves sustainable performance. Our study not only enriches the empirical evidence on the antecedents of supply chain social responsibility and its impact on sustainable performance but also guides managers to allocate resources effectively and fulfil supply chain social responsibility.

A Confirmation of Elemental Factor Toward Perceived Port Quality

There is currently a lack of up-to-date knowledge on the fundamental variables as elemental factors that influence perceived cruise-port quality. This research aims to examine the confirmatory components of those factors in reflective and formative terms in order to develop a set of perceived port quality (PPQ) variables. The study adopts a quantitative research methodology, collecting data via a questionnaire survey. The research sample consisted of 305 respondents, while the collected data were analyzed using GSCA Pro software version 1.1.6. The research findings reaffirm the elemental factors of perceived port quality (PPQ), constructed from the following five significant categories as first-order constructs, namely cruise terminal facilities, port service encounter performance, port location, ground port transportation, and physical port environment quality. These were assessed through the 36 observed variables in this study, which included significant reflective and formative constructs. Executives, cruise tourism managers, and ports, will be able to use the results of the study as guidelines for designing policies and strategies to develop cruise tourism in the port area. Meanwhile, academics may employ these sets of variables to examine in combination with other factors in future research.

Building Information Modeling Technology Capabilities: Operationalizing the Multidimensional Construct

The identification and leverage of the Building Information Model (BIM) technology are at the core of the successful digital transformation of the construction industry. However, due to its ability to integrate with various digital technologies and platforms, facilitating the digital and sustainable construction of the entire lifecycle of a building, BIM technology cannot be simply defined and operationalized with a single dimension of the construct. Based on the importance of multidimensional structures called for in the viewpoint of existing research and the resource-based view, we develop a second-order construct model to measure BIM technology capabilities. We define and operationalize the BIM technology capabilities, based on theory, as a reflective–reflective higher-order construct by developing and validating a 17-item scale that captures three first-order constructs. The measurement model results show strong reliability, dimensionality of the first-order measurement model, convergent validity, and discriminant validity. The multidimensional structure and instrument provide researchers with an opportunity to test the theories about the antecedents and outcomes of BIM technology capabilities, as well as the process and conditions.

Crowdsourcing for business strategy and sustainability: a partial least square structural equation model

Purpose. The goal of this research was to scrutinize how business strategy helps to increase business sustainability by considering the roles of quadratic effects and students’ Innovation in the formation of business. It is worthwhile to investigate the role of partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) in crowdsourcing business strategy approaches toward sustainability. Methodology. To attain these goals, we conducted quantitative research, which included first-order by three dimensions of business strategy for the analyzed reflective model. In order to gather quantitative data and identify the predictor factors that affect the sustainability associated with the quadratic effects, a thorough exploratory PLS-SEM strategy was applied. Findings. The participants (N = 218) studying at Daffodil International University (DIU) in Bangladesh took part in the online survey. The findings indicate that DIU students’ intention for businesses strategy is conscious of the potential changes, and that they have begun to build internal processes geared toward sustainability. Also, the first-order constructs are the selection of environment, long-term behavior, and strategical involvements management resources into business strategies which have a positive correlation with the significant impact on business sustainability. While business strategy contributed to the formation of an innovative sustainability model, the presence of a linear effect and a positive parabolic effect was statistically significant. Finally, business strategy has a favorable impact on sustainability with both linear and parabolic effects. Originality. Business strategy is proved to have contributed to forming an innovative model of sustainability, having a linear effect and a positive parabola effect as statistically significant. As a result, business strategy has a beneficial impact on sustainability, with both linear and parabolic effects. These findings have ramifications for how potential entrepreneurs handle their businesses in order to improve sustainability. Practical value. The results show that business strategy is essential for aspiring entrepreneurs to increase creativity and efficiency in the direction of sustainability.

Developing and testing scales for home support service continuity (HSSC): cross-sectional studies in Canada and UK

ObjectivesEnsuring the continuity of home support services has become increasingly important due to challenges arising from ageing demographics and healthcare staffing shortages. However, there is a lack of validated measurements...

Effects of a collaborative and gamified online learning methodology on class and test emotions

This study examines the influence of students’ individual attitude and social interactions on participation in collaborative and gamified online learning activities, as well as the influence of participating in those activities on students’ online class- and test-related emotions. Based on a sample of 301 first year Economics and Law university students and using the Partial Least Squares-Structural Equation Modelling approach, all the relationships among first-order and second-order constructs included in the model are validated. The results support all the hypotheses studied, confirming the positive relationship that both students’ individual attitude and social interactions have on participation in collaborative and gamified online learning activities. The results also show that participating in those activities is positively related with class- and test-related emotions. The main contribution of the study is the validation of the effect of collaborative and gamified online learning on university students’ emotional well-being through the analysis of their attitude and social interactions. Moreover, this is the first time in the specialised learning literature that students’ attitude is considered as a second-order construct operationalised by three factors: the perceived usefulness that this digital resource brings to the students, the entertainment that this digital resource brings to the students, and the predisposition to use this digital resource among all those available in online training. Our findings aim to shed light for educators when preparing and designing computer mediated and online teaching programs that seek to generate positive emotions as a motivation for students.

Developing organizational resilience from business process management maturity

PurposeIn the current business context, there is a current need to adopt contemporary practices of process management as a competitive advantage to leverage organizational results. This study aims to explore such relationships, considering the performance results in the organizational resilience (OR) dimension.Design/methodology/approachThe authors collected 82 valid responses from a survey targeted at professionals occupying positions or functions in the operations area. For data analysis, the authors used the technique of structural equation modeling (SEM) using the partial least squares (PLS) algorithm.FindingsThe results show that maturity in the management of business processes positively influences the behavior of OR, with the highest level of maturity primarily being responsible for this impact. This result reveals that resilience naturally depends on mature and well-established processes in the organizational structure. The proposed model explained 78.5% of OR.Practical implicationsCompanies that maintain mature management of their business processes will be better able to positively influence OR since process management can make organizations less fragile supply chains and more adaptable to changes.Originality/valueThe findings helped clarify the extent to which process management influences the results of OR. Although the literature indicates that maturity in business processes is formed by five first-order constructs, only the “innovated” dimension proved to be significant in the present study.

Domain-general grit and domain-specific grit: conceptual structures, measurement, and associations with the achievement of German as a foreign language

Abstract The study examined the underlying structures, psychometric properties, and predictive validity of the following domain-general and domain-specific grit scales: The (L2) Grit Scales and the Long-term (L2) Grit Scales. Seven hundred German-as-a-FL learners from six secondary schools in China filled in the four grit scales and a scale measuring self-perceived German proficiency. Two hundred and eighty-nine out of them participated in a subsequent German exam and their German teachers rated their German proficiency. The main results are as follows: (1) both domain-general grit and L2 grit represented a unitary first-order construct with two correlated but distinct factors, namely, consistency of interest and perseverance of efforts; (2) only the Grit Scale and the L2 Grit Scale showed sound psychometric properties; (3) both domain-general grit and L2 grit were positively correlated with L2 achievement; (4) domain-general grit completely lost its predictive power on L2 achievement when combined with L2 grit in the same regression models. Our findings resonate with prior calls for prioritizing L2-specific grit research over domain-general grit research in L2 contexts.

Validation of Fitness Switching Costs Scale (FSCS): Examining the Factor Structure and Measurement Precision

ABSTRACT The purpose of the study is to validate the 54-item Fitness Switching Costs Scale (FSCS). The FSCS consists of a third-order formative construct with four second-order formative constructs and 11 first-order reflective constructs. Although there was support for the reliability and validity of higher-order constructs, validity of the 11 first-order subscales has not been systematically investigated. Study 1 (n = 441) evaluates the factor structure of the first-order subscales using exploratory factor analysis and ensures the factorial validity of the subscales. Study 2 (n = 415) examines the measurement precision of the 11 first-order subscales using item response theory and shows high levels of measurement precision, while identifying some areas for improvement at the item level. Overall, the findings suggest that health and fitness researchers and practitioners can use the FSCS as a diagnostic tool to identify areas for a potential investment.

Quality intrapartum care expectations and experiences of women in sub-Saharan African Low and Low Middle-Income Countries: a qualitative meta-synthesis

BackgroundWoman-centred maternity care is respectful and responsive to women’s needs, values, and preferences. Women’s views and expectations regarding the quality of health services during pregnancy and childbirth vary across settings. Despite the need for context-relevant evidence, to our knowledge, no reviews focus on what women in sub-Saharan African Low and Low Middle-Income Countries (LLMICs) regard as quality intrapartum care that can inform quality guidelines in countries.MethodsWe undertook a qualitative meta-synthesis using a framework synthesis to identify the experiences and expectations of women in sub-Saharan African LLMICs with quality intrapartum care. Following a priori protocol, we searched eight databases for primary articles using keywords. We used Covidence to collate citations, remove duplicates, and screen articles using a priori set inclusion and exclusion criteria. Two authors independently screened first the title and abstracts, and the full texts of the papers. Using a data extraction excel sheet, we extracted first-order and second-order constructs relevant to review objectives. The WHO framework for a positive childbirth experience underpinned data analysis.ResultsOf the 7197 identified citations, 30 articles were included in this review. Women’s needs during the intrapartum period resonate with what women want globally, however, priorities regarding the components of quality care for women and the urgency to intervene differed in this context given the socio-cultural norms and available resources. Women received sub-quality intrapartum care and global standards for woman-centred care were often compromised. They were mistreated verbally and physically. Women experienced poor communication with their care providers and non-consensual care and were rarely involved in decisions concerning their care. Women were denied the companion of choice due to cultural and structural factors.ConclusionTo improve care seeking and satisfaction with health services, woman-centred care is necessary for a positive childbirth experience. Women must be meaningfully engaged in the design of health services, accountability frameworks, and evaluation of maternal services. Research is needed to set minimum indicators for woman-centred outcomes for low-resource settings along with actionable strategies to enhance the quality of maternity care based on women’s needs and preferences.