Linear Structural Relationship Model Research Articles

Fatty Acid Profiles and Nutritional Evaluation of Fresh Sweet-Waxy Corn from Three Regions of China.

Fresh corn is a kind of herbaceous plant with rich nutritive value and a reasonable composition of fatty acids; however, there is little research on methods for the systemic nutritional evaluation of fatty acids in fresh corn. The aim of the present study was to conduct a comparative analysis of the fatty acid profiles of Chinese Huangnuo 9 sweet-waxy corn from the provinces of Inner Mongolia, Jilin, and Heilongjiang by gas chromatography; to establish a nutritional evaluation system according to the impacts of nutrients from fatty acids on human health; and finally, to evaluate, compare and rank fresh sweet-waxy corn grown in different regions. Tocopherols were detected by liquid chromatography in order to demonstrate the anti-oxidation activity of fresh corn’s fatty acids. The fatty acid contents and compositions of the 12 samples from the three regions are significantly different from each other. The nutrient value of the fatty acids in fresh corn was analyzed by factor analysis and a linear structural relation model, followed by the fitting and appraising of the model. The studied fresh sweet-waxy corn 1-4 from Inner Mongolia had the highest γ-tocopherol content and the closest saturated fatty acid:monounsaturated fatty acid:polyunsaturated fatty acid rate to the recommended value. The fatty acid profiles of sweet-waxy corns 2-1, 2-2, and 2-3 were the most diverse, and the comprehensive evaluation result of fresh corn 2-4 was the best; its total fatty acid content was the highest. Fresh corn 3-1 in Heilongjiang had the highest unsaturated fatty acids and lower values in its atherosclerosis index and thrombosis index, which suggested the strongest anti-atherosclerosis and anti-thrombotic ability. This work will give a reference to guide dietary choices and provide data support for dietary recommendations for residents.

Innovative Leadership Factors and Leader Characteristics that Affecting Professional Learning Community of Primary Schools in Bangkok and Its Vicinity

This research aimed to investigate the innovative leadership factors and leader characteristics of school administrators in affecting teachers’ involvement in the professional learning community of primary education schools in Bangkok and its vicinity of Thailand. Hence, the researcher would shed light on a linear structural relationship model to examine the impacts of innovative leadership factors and leader characteristics of primary school administrators on teachers’ involvement in the professional learning community. A quantitative approach survey design was employed in this research. A total of 840 respondents responded to questionnaires in a proportional of two teachers to one school administrator from 280 primary schools. The respondents participated in a survey utilizing a multi-stage sampling technique. The researcher planned to test whether the identified innovative leadership factors and leader characteristics are fitting with empirical data as the key research output. The findings indicated that there was a total of five innovative leadership factors and three leader characteristics in a professional learning community model. The linear structural relationship model was supported to the empirical data, with χ2 = 42.321, df = 31, χ2 /df = 1.3652, CFI = 0.998, TLI = 0.997, RMSEA = 0.021, and SRMR = 0.01, p = 0.0845. In conclusion, the linear structural relationship model for primary school administrators has a goodness of fit with the attained data. Finally, the findings of this research have successfully proposed a linear structural relationship model that would be guidelines for a primary school administrator to develop his capabilities to promote a professional learning community.

The Bibliometric Analysis of the Sustainable Influence of Physical Education for University Students.

With the awakening of people's health consciousness, the concept and practice of health promotion has become the main target of health policies throughout the world. In this study, the relationship between physical education and health promotion was examined. Art students from a university in Taoyuan were selected for research, and a total of 320 questionnaires were issued. Invalid and incomplete questionnaires were eliminated, with a total of 227 valid questionnaires. Finally, the LISREL (Linear Structural Relations) model was used to analyze the correlation between various factors and health promotion. The results of the model analysis show that in terms of basic fit, the three factors of physical education (course design, teaching content, and activity design) have a high correlation with the influence of physical education, reaching a significant level (t > 1.96, p < 0.05). In terms of influence on sports participation, the three factors (physiological factors, psychological factors, social factors) of sports participation reached a significant level (t > 1.96, p < 0.05). The two factors of health promotion (physiological health, and mental health and practical ideas) have a high correlation with the influence of health promotion, reaching a significant level (t > 1.96, p < 0.05). In terms of overall mode fit, the overall mode fit standard χ2/Df was 1.344, less than the standard value of 3 or less, and the RMR value was 0.007, indicating that the χ2/DF and RMR result standards were appropriate, and the chi-square value was very sensitive to the sample size. Therefore, there was a positive correlation among physical education, sports participation, and health promotion. In conclusion, physical activities can improve the human body's immune function, reduce the symptoms of chronic diseases, and positively promote health. The research result is important for emphasizing the benefit of sports to art students, and provides reference for improving the quality of school physical education, and the physical and mental health level of people in Taiwan.

Causal Relationship Model of Factors Affecting Workplace Happiness among Head Nurses’ of Secondary Hospital at Northern Region, Thailand

Introduction: There is a growing recognition for workplace happiness worldwide. If employees work in an unfavorable atmosphere, this may lead to boredom, discouragement and disengagement as well as alienation from colleagues; thereby becoming unhealthy for both employees and organisations. Aim: To develop a causal relationship model of factors affecting workplace happiness among head nurses and test the model with empirical data collected with the chosen research sample. Materials and Methods: This research uses the causal relationship research method. A five point-Likert scale questionnaire about factors affecting workplace happiness was administered to 196 head nurses at secondary hospitals, northern Thailand. It included six latent variables: 1) leader characteristics; 2) work satisfaction; 3) awareness of the professional values; 4) organisational climate; 5) social support; and 6) workplace happiness. Analysis instruments were descriptive statistics i.e., frequency, percentage, average, standard deviation, Pearson product moment correlation, and linear structural relationship model. Results: Based on the casual relationship model, the following factors were identified as influencing workplace happiness among the head nurses: social support, work satisfaction, organisational climate, leader characteristics and awareness of the professional values, respectively. After adjustment as alternative model, the causal relationship model of workplace happiness fit the empirical data, with Chi-square (χ2)= 238.098, df=205, Comparative Fit Index (CFI)=0.99, Root Mean Squares Error of Approximation (RMSEA)=0.02, Tucker-Lewis Index (TLI)=0.98, Standardised Root Mean Square Residual (SRMR)=0.04. This means that the variables in the model can explain the variance of workplace happiness by 46.6%. Conclusion: Drawn from the casual relationship model of factors influencing happiness at work among the head nurses, the factors with the most influencing overall impact on happiness at work are: work satisfaction, organisational climate, social support, and leadership characteristics.

Indicators of strategic intuition for SMEs' entrepreneurs: evidence from Thailand

The main objective of this research is to study and develop the strategic intuition indicators of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Thailand. The results will serve as a guideline for creating a model to develop the strategic intuition capability of entrepreneurs in Thailand in the future. The research studies relevant literature from empirical data and tests the consistency of a linear structural relationship model by using component analysis techniques. A questionnaire was used to collect data from a sample of entrepreneurs who are SMEs from the database of the Thailand Exporter Directory, the Ministry of Commerce. The results showed that the developed strategic intuition model is in harmony with empirical data, with the strategic intuition variables consisting of three main components: (1) Sensing capabilities, (2) Aggressive thinking capabilities, and (3) Strategic decision capabilities, with a positive value. It was also found that in each component of the measurement model, strategic insight had the same straightness, and the variability of the structural confidence values passed the standard criteria.

Identification of influential observation in linear structural relationship model with known slope

A number of identification techniques are available in the literature to detect influential observations in linear regression models. However, the issue of the identification of influential observations in errors-in-variable models is still not very explored. In this paper we propose a new method for the identification of influential observations based on the COVRATIO statistic when the slope parameter is known. We determine the cut off point for this model on the basis of Monte Carlo simulation study and show that this cut off point performs well in the identification of influential observation in linear structural relationship model with known slope parameter. Finally, we present a real world example which also supports the findings obtained by the simulations earlier.

Enacting a low-carbon economy: Policies and distrust between government employees and enterprises in China

Within a low-carbon economy networks, governments and enterprises inevitably experience some level of distrust because of the complexity and uncertainty of policies. This study employs a questionnaire survey in China and finds a high level of distrust between government employees and enterprise managers when low carbon policies are enacted. However, the survey results also indicate a low frequency of communication on low carbon policy and that government employees and enterprise managers frame each other negatively. Furthermore, according to the result of a linear structural relations model, the frequency of communication and the ways in which government employees and enterprise managers frame each other are negatively correlated with the level of distrust. Therefore, an open policy process, co-working, and information sharing could all be effective ways to decrease the level of distrust. Moreover, specific low-carbon policies need to be established especially specific low-carbon standards for products, so as to reduce enterprises' distrust in low carbon policies.

Estimate the Slope Parameter in Replicated Linear Structural Relationship Model

Replication of observation allows consistent estimation of slope parameter of a linear structural model when the ratio of variances is unknown or when some external information about parameters is not available. In this paper, we look at the way a linear structural relationship model work by replicating observations with two different estimation methods of slope parameter and different cases of existence of outliers. The maximum likelihood estimate (MLE) and a new nonparametric robust estimation method  are used to estimate the slope parameter in replicated linear structural relationship model (RLSRM). The simulation studies and the application of real data are used to investigate the performance of the estimated parameters.Â

How to cope with dissonant heritage: a way towards sustainable tourism development

ABSTRACTThe UNESCO World Summit at Johannesburg in 2002, can be considered a watershed moment for promoting cultural diversity and defining cultural sustainability. Involving community residents is often regarded as best practice when fostering sustainability, though dissonant heritage problems may arise. We connect the issue of dissonance with contrasting interpretations of the past, specifically in the context of promoting heritage places linked to ideologies that are contrary to the principles enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. We focus on buildings constructed during the interwar years in Predappio and Forlì, which are closely tied to Italian dictator Benito Mussolini, and now represent an “ambivalent and largely unwanted past”. Using a LISREL (Linear Structural Relations) model to analyse residents’ attitude towards tourism around these dissonant heritage sites, we show that without a proper cultural policy as the creation of the European cultural route named ATRIUM (Architecture of Totalitarian Regimes of the 20th Century in Europe's Urban Memory Route), residents view tourism unfavourably, rendering it unsustainable.

The Effect of Learning Organization and Servant Leadership on Child-Centered Teaching Behavior with the Mediating Role of Knowledge Sharing in Education of Chanthaburi Diocese Schools

Teachers play an extraordinary role in making the future of students. The objectives of this research were to confirm the causal model of child-centered teaching behavior in education of Chanthaburi diocese schools and study the effect of learning organization and servant leadership on child-centered teaching behavior with the mediating role of knowledge sharing in education of Chanthaburi diocese schools. This study employed a linear structural relationship model (Lisrel). The research sample consisted of 852 teachers from 13 Chanthaburi diocese schools obtained by Proportional stratified random sampling. The research instrument was collected by using the Six-point Summated Rating Scale questionnaires. The questionnaire items were on personal factors, learning organization scale, questionnaire items on servant leadership, questionnaire items on child-centered teaching behavior, and questionnaire items on knowledge sharing. Statistics employed for data analysis were the percentage, mean, standard deviation, Pearsons Correlation Coefficient, multiple regression analysis and the linear structural relationship model (Lisrel). The research finding indicated the effect of learning organization and servant leadership on child-centered teaching behavior with the mediating role of knowledge sharing in education of Chanthaburi diocese schools. Therefore, this study recommends to further predict the servant leadership in other types of the Catholic Schools.

A comparison of missing data handling methods in linear structural relationship model: evidence from BDHS2007 data

Missing observations in dependent variable is a common feature in survey research. A number of techniques have been developed to impute missing data. In this article, we have evaluated the performance of several impu- tation methods namely mean-before method, mean-before-after method and expectation-maximization algorithm in linear structural relationship model. On the basis of mean absolute error and root mean square error for both simulated and real data sets, we have shown that expectation-maximization algorithm is the most effective method than the other two imputation meth- ods to analyze the missing data in linear structural relationship model.

Continuing efforts to standardize measured serum growth hormone values in Japan.

Determination of serum growth hormone (GH) levels is mandatory for diagnosis of GH deficiency and excess. In the present study, we, the Study Committee for GH and Its Related Factors, The Foundation for Growth Science, Japan measured GH values in serum samples using all the commercially available kits in Japan. Significant discrepancies in the GH values were observed among the kits in spite of using the unified recombinant human GH-based standards. To deal with the discrepancies, we established a formula using a linear structural relationship model and were able to standardize the GH values. We propose to use the formula to diagnose GH deficiency and excess in Japan.

Linear Structural Cross-Group Relationship between Social Capital and National Competitiveness

Research on socioeconomic phenomenon by social capital has increased noticeably in recent years. However, while some literature is available on organizational sociology, political sociology and economic sociology, little information is available on macroeconomic and management. Thus, this work used the reports of World Value Survey, World Economic Forum, and International Management Development, applying the linear structural relation model to assess how social capital affects the national competitiveness. Overall, the results found that the accumulation of social capital can improve not only the other capitals but also the national competitiveness in a particular country. Thus, this work suggests that every country should enhance the development of social capital, thereby effectively improve national competitiveness.

Understanding the External Pressure and Behavior of Commercial Banks’ Environmental Risk Management: An Empirical Study Undertaken in the Yangtze River Delta of China

The present study employed a quantitative survey to ascertain whether the external pressure of environmental risk management (ERM) on commercial banks was a contributing factor to their ERM behavior. Data was obtained using questionnaires from 204 branches of commercial banks located in the Yangtze River Delta of China. The relationship between external pressure and behavior was tested using a linear structural relations model through path analysis. The results revealed that external pressure of ERM was significantly and positively related to the behavior and that pressure from governmental regulations was the most important contributing factor in the passive feedback behavior and preventive behavior of commercial banks. The pressure from markets was the most important contributing factor in banks' active participation behavior; the pressure from community and NGOs was the most important contributing factor in their enthusiastic behavior.

Maximum likelihood estimation of linear structural relationship model parameters assuming the slope is known

A number of statistical techniques have been proposed by many authors to estimate the parameters in a linear structural relationship model, but only few papers discuss the precision of these estimators. In this study, we derive the maximum likelihood estimate (MLE) of the parameters by assuming the slope parameter is known. is estimated separately by a nonparametric method and is assumed to be known when other parameters are estimated by an MLE. We obtain closed-form estimates of parameters as well as the variance-covariance matrix. Using a simulation study and a real-world example we show that the estimated values of the parameters are unbiased and consistent.

Mode choice models' ability to express intention to change travel behaviour considering non-compensatory rules and latent variables

Disaggregate behaviour choice models have been improved in many aspects, but they are rarely evaluated from the viewpoint of their ability to express intention to change travel behaviour. This study compared various models, including objective and latent models and compensatory and non-compensatory decision-making models. Latent models contain latent factors calculated using the LISREL (linear structural relations) model. Non-compensatory models are based on a lexicographic-semiorder heuristic. This paper proposes ‘probability increment’ and ‘joint probability increment’ as indicators for evaluating the ability of these models to express intention to change travel behaviour. The application to commuting travel data in the Chukyo metropolitan area in Japan showed that the appropriate non-compensatory and latent models outperform other models.

The Casual Effects of Service Quality, Brand Image, Customer Satisfaction on Customer Loyalty in the Leisure Resort Enterprise

Owing to the growth of economic, people have more demand for leisure activities. How to improve customer's loyalty has become a key strategy for service management. The purpose of this study was, taking leisure resort enterprise as an example, to explore the casual relationships between service quality, brand image, customer satisfaction, and customer loyalty. A total of 300 subjects from Taiwan population were voluntarily participated in this study. The LISREL (Linear Structural Relationship) model verification results showed that the overall goodness-of-fit indices (GFI) was 0.952 and χ^2 was 128.639 (df = 95), which indicated an empirically good fit with the model. It was concluded that the service quality, brand image and customer satisfaction of leisure business have a direct relation with loyalty, and the service quality has an indirect effect on loyalty through customer satisfaction. These findings would be a reference for marketing management in the leisure enterprises.

Develop a commercial aircraft pilot job stress model through an experience ability perspective: considering the work experience

Since commercial aircraft pilots bear the duty of flight safety, their job stress is higher than other occupations. Once the sources of job stress could not be drained off, the stress will be accumulated continually. The unbearable stress will injure the commercial pilots in aspects of physiology and psychology and have a critical impact on their flying ability. Therefore, researching on job stress to improve flight safety is a critical path to increase the competitiveness of airlines. This research introduces the concept of work experience background characteristics (WEBC) and constructs a commercial pilots’ job stress theoretical model. Linear structure relation model (LISREL) is used to validate the causality relationships of this theoretical model. The result of this research could be a theory base to improve the job stress and increase job performance of the commercial pilots by adjusting WEBC.

Intellectual property licensing and value creation of culture industry

Research on culture industry has increased noticeably in recent years. However, while some works are available on qualitative analysis, little information is available on quantitative analysis. Meanwhile, while the study on intellectual property has been mounting steadily, little work is available on the value creation of culture industry. Thus, this work used the reports of World Bank, applying the linear structural relation model to consider the relation between the intellectual property and the value creation of culture industry. Overall, the results indicated that the intellectual property plays an important role in the development of licensing industry and culture industry. Thus, this work suggests that should improve the regime of intellectual property protection and enhance the development of licensing industry. In detail, the modeling and globalization of the management process of licensing industry may help integrate the value chains of various industries, further improve the effect of industry clusters, and finally enhance the value creation of culture industry.

Maximum Likelihood Solution for the Linear Structural Relationship With Three Parameters Known

A maximum likelihood solution is obtained for the simple linear structural relation model where the underlying incidental distribution and one error variance are assumed known. Expressions for the asymptotic standard errors of the maximum likelihood estimates are obtained and these are verified using a simulation study.