Full Mediation Effect Research Articles

How Does Online Shopping Shape the Sense of Community? The Mediating Role of Various Social Activities

The rapid expansion of digital commerce, particularly same-day-delivery and next-day-delivery online shopping, is transforming daily life and community dynamics in urban settings. This study explores how these shopping behaviors impact the sense of community by mediating various social activities at both individual and community levels. Using an online survey design, this study analyzes the mediating roles of different types of social interactions, including informal social gatherings and organized community events, in shaping a sense of community. The findings reveal that while both unplanned, low-threshold interactions and more structured, organized activities contribute to a sense of community, their effects vary in strength. Stronger, more deliberate social interactions, such as resident-led events, show a full mediation effect, whereas casual, spontaneous encounters provide partial mediation. Similarly, organized community events demonstrate different levels of influence, with community-organized activities fully mediating certain sense of community dimensions and resident-engaged activities providing more comprehensive impacts. These findings highlight that same-day-delivery and next-day-delivery online shopping behaviors significantly shape the sense of community by facilitating both informal and organized social interactions.

Influence of soft skills on career development: Exploring performance appraisal as a mediating mechanism

Performance appraisal plays a crucial mediating role in the complex interaction between soft skills and career development. This practice provides a comprehensive view of workers’ competencies and directly influences their professional trajectories. This investigation checked the significance of these competencies in career development, employing performance appraisal as a mediating mechanism. The sample comprised 262 employees in Portugal. Data were collected from a convenience sample using the snowball sampling method, in which participants were asked to invite their contacts to participate in the study. The questionnaire included the short skills inventory, the career growth scale, and the performance management scale. The more developed the soft skills, the greater the tendency for employees to progress in their careers. Performance appraisal has a significant influence on employees’ career trajectories, as the possibility of career advancement largely depends on their performance. The data further revealed that by mediating the relationship between soft skills and career progression, performance appraisal helps guide and support the organization’s strategic decisions. However, when the mediating variable is introduced into the model, the influence of soft skills on career development is no longer significant, indicating a full mediation effect. The results suggest that 26.8% of the possibility of progressing in the career is explained by the performance appraisal results. These results act as a critical link between soft skills and career development. Soft skills exert a significant influence on career development, and performance appraisal emerges as a valuable means to recognize and promote these competencies.

Tourist experience and destination evangelism: the mediating role of inspiration

ABSTRACT Even though tourist experience (TX) and destination evangelism are crucial research priorities, a substantial paucity of empirically derived insights into these concepts and their relationships exists. Therefore, this study investigates the TX’s impact on tourist inspiration and destination evangelism by proposing and empirically validating a structural model by collecting data from 384 tourists and then validating it by conducting semi-structured interviews. The study also envisages tourist inspiration to mediate the proposed relationships, thereby contributing further to the tourism and travel literature. This study applies mixed-method explanatory sequential design that consists of two phases. In the first phase, proposed hypotheses were tested by applying the structural equation modelling technique and mediation analysis. The findings revealed that various dimensions of TX exert differential impacts on destination evangelism. The study also confirmed the partial mediation role of tourist inspiration between three dimensions of TX (sensory, cognitive and affective) and destination evangelism; however, the full mediation effect was observed between behavioural TX and destination evangelism. In the second phase, a qualitative study based on semi-structured interviews was conducted. These findings were found in alignment with the findings of the quantitative study. The study concludes by offering key implications and avenues for further research.

Exploring the Role of Entrepreneurship Education in Shaping Entrepreneurial Intentions: Mediation by Personality Traits Among Undergraduates

This study examines the interplay among personality traits—innovativeness, locus of control, and need for achievement—and their influence on entrepreneurial intention among undergraduates at a private university in Kabul, Afghanistan. Utilizing structural equation modeling, this research explores how entrepreneurship education serves as a mediator within these relationships. Results demonstrate significant associations between the personality traits and entrepreneurial intention. Notably, need for achievement inversely impacts entrepreneurial intention. Entrepreneurship education exerts a partial mediation effect on the link between innovativeness and entrepreneurial intention, no significant mediation on the relationship between locus of control and entrepreneurial intention, and a full mediation effect on the relationship between need for achievement and entrepreneurial intention. These insights provide actionable information for educational policymakers and institutions aiming to enhance entrepreneurship education programs to foster entrepreneurial intent among students.

Modeling L2 motivation change and its predictive effects on learning behaviors in the extramural digital context: a quantitative investigation in China

Abstract Language learning in the extramural digital (ED) context has recently gained momentum because it focuses on second language (L2) learners’ autonomous, unstructured, online learning activities beyond the classroom. Drawing upon Dörnyei’s L2 motivational self system (including the ideal L2 self, ought-to L2 self, and L2 learning experience) to operationalize L2 learners’ motivational mindsets, this study aims to investigate whether L2 English learners’ ought-to L2 self can be translated into their ideal L2 self and predict learning behaviors within the ED context. Survey data from 310 undergraduate students in a top-tier Chinese university were collected and analyzed following a structural equation modeling approach. The results indicate that participants’ ought-to L2 self can facilitate the development of their ideal L2 self only through the full mediation effect of the L2 learning experience in the ED environment. Also, while students’ ought-to L2 self cannot directly predict their motivated learning behaviors in the ED context, there exists a significant indirect impact through the joint mediation of the L2 learning experience and ideal L2 self. These findings contribute to the ongoing conversation about L2 motivational dynamics by unveiling the conversion and interaction of different L2 motivational forces in digital and out-of-class settings.

The effect of social media communication on intention to vaccinate against COVID-19: A relationship mediated by perceptions of vaccine efficacy and safety

ABSTRACT Although previous literature has found significant effects of social media communication (SMC) on intention to vaccinate, the effect of the sources of SMC has not been explored. To fill this gap, this study investigates a) the effects of official sources and user-generated SMC on intention to vaccinate against COVID-19, and b) the mediating effects of perceived vaccine efficacy, safety, and risk perception on the relationship between SMC and intention to vaccinate against COVID-19. Online survey data (n = 428) was analysed using structural equation modelling (SEM). Results revealed that official sources SMC is positively associated with vaccine intention while user-generated SMC had no significant association. Mediation analysis revealed a partial mediation effect of perceived vaccine efficacy and safety in the relationship between official source SMC and intention to vaccinate against COVID-19, while a full mediation effect of perceived vaccine efficacy and safety was found between user-generated SMC and intention to vaccinate against COVID-19. The mediating effect of perceived risk was not found.

Substantial parallel mediation contribution by cognitive domains in the relationship between adolescents' physical fitness and academic achievements: the Cogni-Action Project.

To determine how cognitive domains mediate the link between fitness components, their global score (GFS), and adolescents' academic achievement (ACA) across various school subjects. In this study, 1,296 adolescents aged 10-14 participated. GFS was computed by three fitness components (strength, muscular, and cardiorespiratory fitness) through the ALPHA-fitness test battery. ACA was determined by five school subjects (Language, English, Mathematics, Science, and History) and two academic scores (a) "Academic Average" (five subjects) and (b) "Academic-PISA" (Language, Mathematics, and Science). A principal component analysis was performed to establish four factors (working memory [WM], cognitive flexibility [CF], inhibitory control [IC], and fluid reasoning [FR]). A parallel mediation approach was implemented with 5,000 bootstrapped samples controlled for sex, maturity, central obesity, having breakfast before cognitive tasks, schools, and school vulnerability. Total, direct, indirect effects, and mediation percentages were estimated. Overall, the finding showed a full parallel mediation effect for Language (92.5%) and English (53.9%), while a partial mediation for Mathematics (43.0%), Science (43.8%), History (45.9%), "Academic Average" (50.6%), and "Academic-PISA" (51.5%). In particular, WM, IC, and FR mediated all school subjects except mathematics, where IC was not significant. CF has not mediated any relationship between GF and academic performance. This study underscores the pivotal role of cognitive domains, specifically WM, IC, and FR, in mediating the link between physical fitness and academic performance in adolescents. These insights have relevant implications for educational and public health policies.

Childhood trauma and treatment resistance in first-episode psychosis: Investigating the role of premorbid adjustment and duration of untreated psychosis

BackgroundEarly identification of treatment non-response in first-episode psychosis (FEP) is essential to outcome. Despite indications that exposure to childhood trauma (CT) can have adverse effects on illness severity, its impact on treatment non-response and the interplay with other pre-treatment characteristics is sparsely investigated. We use a lack of clinical recovery as an early indicator of treatment resistance to investigate the relationship between CT and treatment resistance status at one-year follow-up and the potential mediation of this effect by other pre-treatment characteristics. MethodsThis prospective one-year follow-up study involved 141 participants recruited in their first year of treatment for a schizophrenia-spectrum disorder. We investigated clinical status, childhood trauma (CT), premorbid adjustment (PA), and duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) at baseline and clinical status at one-year follow-up. Ordinal regression analyses were conducted to investigate how PA and DUP affected the relationship between CT and one-year outcome in FEP. Results45 % of the FEP sample reported moderate to severe CT, with significantly higher levels of CT in the early treatment resistant group compared to participants with full or partial early recovery. Ordinal regression analysis showed that CT was a significant predictor of being in a more severe outcome group (OR = 4.59). There was a partial mediation effect of PA and a full mediation effect of DUP on the effect of CT on outcome group membership. DiscussionOur findings indicate that reducing treatment delays may mitigate the adverse effects of CT on clinical outcomes and support the inclusion of broad trauma assessment in FEP services.

Digital marketing capabilities, entrepreneurial orientation and franchise systems' performance

PurposeWe adopt the conceptual lens of the Dynamic Capabilities Approach to evaluate the relationship between Entrepreneurial Orientation (EO), Digital Marketing Capabilities (DMC), and Performance in Brazilian franchises.Design/methodology/approachWe applied a survey with franchisors at the Brazilian Franchising Association Expo 2022. Data were collected for 145 franchise systems. We used Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling and tested two distinct models. Model 1 presents the direct effects of EO and DMC on Performance. In Model 2 we include the mediation effect of DMC on the relationship between EO and Performance.FindingsAligned with prior literature, in our first model we found a direct association between EO and Performance and between DMC and Performance. In our second model, when analyzing the combination of EO and DMC, we observed a full mediation effect of DMC in the relationship between EO and performance, and an indirect effect of EO on performance.Originality/valueWe advance in the debate of the relationship between EO and Performance in the franchise context, adding to our model the DMC perspective. Findings shed light on the importance of digital marketing capabilities for franchise systems. These elements open important avenues for dedicated research to further understand how digitalization process can be redefining the drivers of performance in entrepreneurial firms.

Eco-endorsement dynamics: unraveling the influence of celebrity attitudes on eco-product perceptions and purchase decisions

PurposeThis research delved into the intricate dynamics between celebrity endorsements and consumer behavior focusing on eco-friendly wine product. This study aims to understand the relationship between attitudes toward the celebrity endorser (CATT), perception of wine as eco-friendly (PECO), overall positive attitude toward the product (PATT) and the intention to purchase (PINT).Design/methodology/approachThe present study relies on a large sample of 478 US citizens. Mediation moderation analysis is adopted for data analysis.FindingsThe findings revealed a full mediation effect where the influence of CATT on PINT is primarily through PECO and PATT. This suggests that the celebrity's endorsement indirectly affects purchase intention by first influencing perceptions of the product's eco-friendliness and the overall product attitude. Notably, perceiving wine as eco-friendly leads to a favorable product attitude, subsequently enhancing purchase intentions. While CATT significantly impacts both PECO and PATT, its effect is more potent on PATT, emphasizing that the celebrity's overall image might align more closely with the general product attitude than specific attributes like eco-friendliness.Originality/valueRecognizing the complex landscape of the wine market, the research emphasizes the necessity for comprehensive marketing strategies that consider both the direct and mediated impacts of celebrity endorsements. The findings offer a foundational framework for understanding the nuanced interplay of celebrity endorsement, product perception and purchase intention in the context of the wine market.

Employee emotional investment: An institutional logic perspective

Based on the conservation of resources (COR) theory, institutional logic, and institutional arrangements, this study conceptualized and examined employee emotional investment as an important factor that influenced hospitality employee job and personal outcomes. In Study 1 (N=211), the reliability of the modified employee emotional investment scale was examined. In Study 2 (N=250), first using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) the reliability, convergent and discriminant validity of the measure was confirmed. Second, partial-least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) analysis of hospitality employees revealed that their emotional investment affected their work attitudes and behaviors. Organizational service climate and employee hierarchy in the organization were identified as significant antecedents of emotional investment. Emotional investment directly influenced employee resilience, organizational citizenship behavior (OCB), organizational commitment, and employee engagement. Emotional investment indirectly affected employee subjective wellbeing, whereas organizational commitment and employee engagement showed full mediation effects. The findings extended COR theory and revealed employee emotional investment as a distinct form of employee organizational behavior. Practical implications for hospitality managers are provided.

The impact of perceived vaginal and urinary symptoms and treatment burden in predicting sexual functioning among perimenopausal and postmenopausal women.

This study aimed to explore the relationship between urogenital symptom frequency and severity, perception of vaginal treatment burden, and female sexual desire, arousal, and satisfaction. A cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample of 326 patients from three tertiary care hospitals in the United Arab Emirates. The frequency and severity of urogenital symptoms, emotional and physical functioning, and treatment burden were assessed using the validated genitourinary syndrome of menopause symptoms and vaginal treatments acceptability questionnaire (GSM-SVATQ). To examine the mediating roles of emotional and physical functioning, as well as the perceived treatment burden on sexual functioning, a partial least squares-structural equation model was developed using the SmartPLS 4 Software. The measurement model was successfully established. All constructs had a reliability of > 0.70 and discriminant validity of < 0.90. Emotional, physical and sexual functioning showed an adjusted R2 values of 0.377, 0.282 and 0.169, respectively.The multistep multiple mediator model revealed a full mediation effect of both emotional and physical functioning between symptom, treatment burden and sexual functioning. The model showed high predictive performance with all manifest variables showing lower mean absolute errors compared to the naiive benchmark model. This study enhances our understanding of the relationships between urogenital symptoms, perceived treatment burden, emotional functioning, and sexual well-being. The findings emphasize the importance of addressing emotional well-being in managing urogenital symptoms and in addressing emotional factors associated with the use of vaginal treatments.

Relationship between supply chain disruption orientation and firm’s resilience in China: the dynamic capabilities perspective

ABSTRACT This study attempts to reveal the relationship between supply chain disruption orientation (SCDO) and firm’s resilience in China under the background of the US–China trade war. Furthermore, the paths to build firm’s resilience through resource reconfiguration and organizational learning (OL) are explored with dynamic capabilities theory. We adopt mixed-methods research design, collecting survey data from 220 Chinese manufacturing firms to test the conceptual model with partial least squares structural equation modelling and second-hand data from Dow Jones Factiva to conduct theme analysis. The results show that resource reconfiguration and OL have full mediation effect on the relationship between SCDO and firm’s resilience, respectively.

관광지 선택속성이 지역브랜드 이미지와 재방문의도에 미치는 영향

Zhoushan City, a prominent tourism destination in China, has witnessed the continued growth of its tourism industry, making the city and the industry a pivotal part of the national economy. However, the rapid expansion of tourism has brought to light several issues that the city faces as a tourism destination, such as bland and monotonous cultural images, outdated tourist facilities, inhospitable residents, and mediocre food quality. These issues point to the critical tasks in need of urgent resolution, as they are associated with destination selection attributes that can influence destination brand images and revisit intentions. Therefore, this study aims to elucidate the impacts that destination selection attributes have on local brand images and intentions to revisit among domestic visitors to Zhoushan City. Empirical analysis reveals the following findings. Firstly, all destination selection attributes, including cultural images, facility convenience, local hospitality, and food quality, significantly influence local brand images. Secondly, all destination selection attributes also significantly influence revisit intentions. Thirdly, local brand images exert a significant impact on revisit intentions. Lastly, mediation effects of local brand images between destination selection attributes and revisit intentions are observed, with partial mediation effects in facility convenience, cultural images, and local hospitality, and a full mediation effect in food quality. These findings provide insights for devising practical strategies to enhance Zhoushan City's local brand images and attract more tourists to the city.

Internet-based eHealth technology for emotional well-being among the older adults with a family cancer history: full mediation effects of health information self-efficacy and cancer fatalism

BackgroundOlder adults with a family cancer history (FCH) face an increased cancer risk, which may adversely impact their emotional well-being. Internet-based eHealth technologies (IETs) provide a potential solution to this challenge. This study examines the influence of using IETs on the emotional well-being of older adults with FCH. It also delves into the mediating pathways through health information self-efficacy and cancer fatalism.MethodsThis study conducted a mediation analysis using data from the Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS 6) collected from March 2022 to November 2022, focusing on older adults with FCH who had previously searched for cancer-related information (N = 1,280).ResultsIn the mediation model, no positive direct associations between IETs usage and emotional well-being were found. Only health information self-efficacy and cancer fatalism were found to mediate the relationship between IETs usage and emotional well-being serially (β = 0.007, 95% CI [0.003, 0.012]).ConclusionsThe findings inform health information professionals and healthcare practitioners on enhancing the impact of IETs usage on individual health information self-efficacy, which mitigates cancer fatalism, contributing to better emotional well-being in the digital era.

Trust in artificial intelligence, trust in engineers, and news media: Factors shaping public perceptions of autonomous drones through UTAUT2

Traditional trust in artificial intelligence (AI) scholarship has assumed trust as an attitude placed exclusively in the AI system. We offer a more articulated view of trust in AI, extending the extended Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT2) model by integrating news media attention, trust in AI system, trust in AI engineers, and attitude to examine factors predicting public's intention to use autonomous passenger drones. Based on an online survey of adult Singaporeans (N = 1002), results from hierarchical OLS regression analyses demonstrated the direct effects of news media attention, trust in AI system, and attitude, alongside several UTAUT2 constructs, on use intention. Results of subsequent mediation analyses using structural equation modelling between trust in AI system, trust in AI engineers and use intention through attitude were consistent with a partial and full mediation effect, respectively. Notably, both trust constructs were influenced by news media attention in comparable magnitudes. In this sense, trust placed in AI system can be seen separately from that placed in engineers responsible for AI development. Furthermore, we found support for including attitude in the UTAUT2 main model for emerging technologies in which information and practice remain largely inaccessible to the public. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.

How Financial Literacy Impacts Financial Well-Being: The Influence of Financial and Technical Efficacy

The fundamental human resource that influences financial well-being is financial literacy. People are more likely to save and invest if they understand the time value of money, credit, insurance, and investments. Having a sound financial understanding lessens stress and increases financial well-being. This study used a structured survey questionnaire and back-translated it into Bangla to ease readability for the respondents. Four hundred thirty-five invitations were sent mainly to the Dhaka city dwellers’ and only 253 complete responses were retained for analysis. Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) is used to assess the intercorrelations and validate the measurement model among the constructs (financial attitude, behavior, knowledge, self-efficacy, technological self-efficacy, and financial well-being) using SmartPLS version 4. The result found a full mediation effect among financial behavior, financial self-efficacy, and financial well-being. Partial mediation effects are found among financial attitudes toward financial self-efficacy, technological self-efficacy, and financial well-being.

Does Digital Capabilities Foster Social Innovation Performance in Social Enterprises? Mediation by Firm-Level Entrepreneurial Orientation

Social innovation as an outcome of social entrepreneurship represents the primary drive of social enterprises (SEs). In the emergent context of a digitally transforming entrepreneurship scenario, this study intends to investigate the role of digital capabilities (DC) in social innovation performance (SIP) in SEs while considering the underlying effects of a firm-level entrepreneurial orientation (EO). Utilizing a quantitative survey approach, the study acquired a total of 344 valid responses from SEs in Saudi Arabia. The data analysis performed through partial least square structural equation modeling (SmartPLS 3.0) revealed that DC have no direct impact on SIP in SEs. However, DC influence SIP through the full mediation effects of EO dimensions of social proactiveness, and social innovativeness. The mediation effects of social risk-taking on the DC-SIP relationship were not established. This work is the first to conceptualize and test a theoretical framework linking the DC and EO constructs concerning SIP in SEs. As a result, the study produces several academic and managerial implications underpinning social innovation amid the digitally transforming entrepreneurship context in SEs.

Exploring the Effects of Green Transformational Leadership on Job Satisfaction in Pakistan's Pharmaceutical Industry: The Mediating Role of Intention

This study investigates the relationship between green transformational leadership (GTL), job satisfaction (JS), and the mediating role of 'intention' in Pakistan's pharmaceutical industry within the framework of the resource-based view (RBV) theory. The research uncovers that GTL, encompassing environmental consciousness, ethical conduct, and innovation, is a unique organizational resource that shapes employees' intentions toward embracing sustainable practices. A quantitative methodology was adopted to achieve the aims of the study. Data were collected through an online survey to manage the data (418 valid responses), and Smart-PLS structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was employed to hypothesize a model. The results demonstrate that GTL had little significant direct effect on JS. This study also found that intention has a full mediation effect between GTL and JS. Additionally, the study found that the correlation among GTL is affected by JS and intention. This study contributes to the literature and body of knowledge on green human resource management and organizational behavior through the lens of RBV theory.

The Sequential Mediating Effects of Perfectionism and the Lack of Tolerance for Creating Uncertainty in the Relationship between Parental Achievement Pressure and College Students&amp;apos; Career Preparation Behavior

The purpose of this study is to confirm the structure and effect of parental achievement pressure on college students' career preparation behavior through personal perfectionism and the lack of tolerance for uncertainty. In particular, we sought to determine what factors influence college students' career preparation behavior by identifying the functions of parental achievement pressure, perfectionism, and lack of patience for uncertainty. Based on previous research, a tendency towards perfectionism, coupled with a lack of tolerance for uncertainty, were selected as factors that influence the relationship between parents' achievement pressure and college students' career preparation behavior. Also, perfectionism was selected in the relationship between parents' achievement pressure and college students' career preparation behavior. In order to verify the sequential mediating path between the perfectionism and the lack of tolerance for uncertainty, a research model was set up to verify the research problem. The subjects of the study were 345 college students, and data were collected through an online survey. Basic analysis was performed using SPSS to confirm the relationship between variables, and sequential mediation effects were confirmed using Amos' structural equation model.According to the analysis results, first, the higher the parental achievement pressure, the higher the perfectionism tendency, decreasing the perfectionism tendency, and the higher the lack of tolerance for uncertainty. Consequently, the higher the lack of tolerance for uncertainty, the higher the career preparation behavior of college students. Through the analysis, we confirmed that the path from parents' achievement pressure to college students' career preparation behavior through the sequential mediation of perfectionism and a lack of tolerance for uncertainty was statistically significant. Second, looking at the results pertaining to the direct and indirect effects of the research model, parents' achievement pressure plays a role in directly reducing the lack of patience for uncertainty, but indirectly reduces the lack of patience for uncertainty through the tendency for perfectionism. We can see that height plays a role. In addition, perfectionism tends to play a role in directly increasing college students' career preparation behavior, but we can also see that it indirectly lowers college students' career preparation behavior through a lack of tolerance for uncertainty. On the other hand, we saw that that parents' achievement pressure did not have a significant direct or indirect effect on college students' career preparation behavior, and that there was a sequential relationship between a tendency for perfectionism and a lack of tolerance for uncertainty between parents' achievement pressure and college students' career preparation behavior. We confirmed that there was a full mediation effect. Based on the results derived from this study, the significance of the study and implications in actual educational settings were discussed.