Partial Least Squares Estimation Research Articles

The influence of management functions on the productivity of yard cargo handling equipment in container terminals

PurposeThis empirical study explores the profound impact of management functions on the productivity of yard cargo handling equipment within container terminals.Design/methodology/approachBy closely examining crucial management aspects such as planning, organizing, leading, and controlling, a comprehensive managerial behavior framework was developed through focus group studies (FGS) and focal interviews. These qualitative methods were complemented by the distribution of questionnaires to practitioners in Vietnam. To validate the concept of management functions and analyze their influence on effective management practices for equipment efficiency, a structural equation model (SEM) technique was employed using partial least-squares estimation (PLS).FindingsThe findings of this study demonstrate that planning (PL), organizing (OR), and controlling (CT) significantly contribute to the productivity of yard cargo handling equipment, while leading (LD) does not exhibit a direct positive impact.Originality/valueTheoretically, this study contributes by providing clarity to the definition, purpose, and value of management functions in the field of cargo handling equipment management. Furthermore, these research findings offer valuable insights to terminal operators and managers, enabling them to optimize their management strategies and enhance productivity levels, ultimately resulting in improved operational outcomes.

Modeling of planning function management in Vietnam’s public construction works

PurposeThe planning function is a central component of management principles, enabling the success of construction project management. Many works have been highlighting the topic of critical success factors within construction organizations, yet the results have rarely covered planning behaviors within public construction work management; these less investigated areas were the aims of this study.Design/methodology/approachTo fulfill this research aim, seven attributes of planning function were first derived through focus group studies, a focused literature review and focal interviews with industry practitioners. Then, a regression analysis design was employed with data collected from 139 professionals who are involved in public construction works management in Vietnam. The structural equation modeling technique with partial least-squares estimation was utilized to analyze the data.FindingsThe results revealed seven behavioral dimensions (i.e. Goals planning (PL1), Planning guidance (PL2), Strategic planning (PL3), Financial mobilization (PL4), Action plan (PL5), Expenditure planning (PL6) and Responsibility assignment (PL7)) to measure planning function management in terms of public construction works. The study also reveals that Goals planning (PL1), Financial mobilization (PL4), Expenditure planning (PL6) and Responsibility assignment (PL7) have significant effects on management effectiveness. At the same time, Goals planning (PL1) acts as the mediator of Planning guidance (PL2) and Strategic planning (PL3); while Action plan (PL5) specifies an indirect influence through the mediator of PL4, PL6 and PL7.Originality/valueThe success of this approach is expected to reinforce the contribution of the planning function and suggest a useful tool for supporting the professionals in managing public construction works.

Influence of personal characteristics and environmental stressors on mental health for multicultural construction workplaces in Australia

Exposure to various stressors has resulted in a significant problem of mental health among the construction workforce. A culturally intolerant environment may aggravate mental ill health in a multicultural workplace. However, an underlying structural issue that has not been sufficiently addressed to date is the influence the crucial personal characteristics and environmental stressors have on mental health in the multicultural construction environment. This study aims to examine the role of personal characteristics and environmental stressors in construction workers’ mental health in the multicultural environment. Data were collected using an online questionnaire survey from 252 construction workers in Australia. The structural equation modelling (SEM) technique with partial least-squares estimation (PLS) was adopted to analyze the data. Results showed that workers’ mental health is not only influenced by stressors related to the work environment, but also by individual traits. Increased levels of cultural stressors tend to aggravate the adverse effect of work stressors on mental health. Work stressors are more likely to cause mental ill health for the individuals characterized by a higher level of aggressive, competitive, ambiguous, and impulsive personalities; whilst cultural stressors are less likely to cause mental ill health for those individuals. This research offers an innovative perspective on the relationships between crucial person-environment factors and mental health, and informs the practice of work health and safety in the multicultural construction workplace.

Envelope-based partial partial least squares with application to cytokine-based biomarker analysis for COVID-19.

Partial least squares (PLS) regression is a popular alternative to ordinary least squares regression because of its superior prediction performance demonstrated in many cases. In various contemporary applications, the predictors include both continuous and categorical variables. A common practice in PLS regression is to treat the categorical variable as continuous. However, studies find that this practice may lead to biased estimates and invalid inferences (Schuberth et al., 2018). Based on a connection between the envelope model and PLS, we develop an envelope‐based partial PLS estimator that considers the PLS regression on the conditional distributions of the response(s) and continuous predictors on the categorical predictors. Root‐n consistency and asymptotic normality are established for this estimator. Numerical study shows that this approach can achieve more efficiency gains in estimation and produce better predictions. The method is applied for the identification of cytokine‐based biomarkers for COVID‐19 patients, which reveals the association between the cytokine‐based biomarkers and patients' clinical information including disease status at admission and demographical characteristics. The efficient estimation leads to a clear scientific interpretation of the results.

Antecedents of trust in product review blogs and their impact on users’ behavioral intentions

ABSTRACT This research aims to identify the antecedents and consequents of trust in the product review blogs in an emerging market, which possess different characteristics than developed markets. We adopt the definition of product review blogs (PRB) as those blogs, websites, or social networking pages that disseminate experiences and/or information about products and services. We propose a model that incorporates individual characteristics and beliefs as antecedents of trust in the PRB and behavioral intentions as its consequence. Next, we conduct a questionnaire with 407 Brazilians who follow any PRB. We analyzed the data using structural equation modeling with partial least squares estimation (PLS-SEM). The results demonstrate the influence of trust in the PRB on users’ purchase intention, intention to follow blog recommendations, and intention to continue participating in the blog in an expressive emerging market. The trust in the PRB tends to have the PRB credibility as an antecedent. The findings suggest that subjective knowledge directly affects trust in the PRB and indirectly affects trust through PRB credibility, a mediating variable in the relationship between these variables. Our results reveal a direct and negative effect on PRB trust regarding susceptibility to informational influence. However, we also identify an indirect positive impact on trust in the PRB through PRB credibility. The results allow us to conclude that PRB credibility plays a central role in the antecedents of trust in the PRB in emerging markets.

Modeling of organizing function management in Vietnam’s public construction works

Organizing function is the significant component of management guaranteeing the success of construction works. Many studies have been emphasizing on the topic of critical success factors (CSFs) within construction works, yet the results have rarely emphasized examining organizing behaviors within public construction work management; these less researched topics were the aims of this study. To fulfil this research aim, a regression analysis design was employed. Data were collected using questionnaires conducted from 139 professionals involved in public construction works management in Vietnam. The structural equation modelling (SEM) technique with partial least-squares estimation (PLS) was utilized to analyze the data. The results revealed 6 behavioral dimensions (i.e., structure organizing (OR1), authorization organizing (OR2), coordination organizing (OR4), human resource organizing (OR3), job organizing (OR5), responsibility organizing (OR6) to assess organizing function in terms of public construction work management. The study also reveals that structure organizing (OR1), authorization organizing (OR2), coordination organizing (OR4) have significant effects on management effectiveness (ME). In addition, coordination organizing (OR4) acts as the mediator of Human resource organizing (OR3), job organizing (OR5); while responsibility organizing (OR6) indicates an indirect influence through the mediator of OR5. The success of this approach is expected to reinforce the contribution of organizing function and suggest a useful tool for supporting the professionals in enhancing public construction work management.

Relationships between digital maturity, organizational agility, and firm performance: An empirical investigation on SMEs

Digitalization has significant power to boost the performance of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Most scholars approached the phenomenon from different standpoints by examining the effects of information technology skills, digital skills, information systems capabilities, information and communication technologies (ICT) adoption, and digitalization on firm performance. However, although the terms are interrelated, the impact of digital maturity on SMEs' performance has been rarely investigated. Digital maturity examines the extent of digitalization and digital capabilities of organizations, which is essential in evaluating state-of-the-art organizations' digitalization efforts and providing a roadmap for further improvement. Although digitalization offers various benefits to organizations, its direct effect on the performance outcome is still arguable. Prior studies had revealed mixed findings when they assessed the impact of digital maturity on firm performance. Hence, some studies called for research for the examination of possible intervening variables. Consequently, this study examines the effects of digital maturity and organizational agility on firm performance. Furthermore, the moderating role of organizational agility in the digital maturity-firm performance link is also investigated. Data for testing the proposed model was collected from SMEs in the Marmara Region of Turkey using a convenience sampling technique. The structural equation modeling with partial least squares estimation (PLS-SEM) approach was used to analyze 119 responses collected from SMEs via face-to-face and online questionnaires. Eighty-two of the respondents identified themselves as entrepreneurs/partners. 13 respondents are senior executives, 14 are mid-level managers, 8 are white-collar employees, and two stated that they work in different positions than these. The findings show that organizational agility and digital maturity have a positive impact on firm performance. However, when the role of organizational agility is examined as a moderator, it is discovered that the factor reduces the effect of digital maturity on firm performance.

Measurement-Based Optimal DER Dispatch With a Recursively Estimated Sensitivity Model

This paper presents a measurement-based method to determine distributed energy resource (DER) active- and reactive-power setpoints that minimize bus voltage deviations from prescribed reference values, bus active- and reactive-power deviations from desired setpoints, as well as cost of DER outputs. Central to the proposed method is the estimation of a linear sensitivity model from synchronized voltage and power-injection data collected from distribution-level phasor measurement units installed at only a subset of buses in the distribution system. As new measurements become available, the linear sensitivity model is updated via the recursive weighted partial least-squares estimation method. The estimated sensitivity model is then embedded as an equality constraint in a convex quadratic optimization problem, which can be solved via, e.g., the alternating direction method of multipliers. Numerical simulations involving the IEEE 33-bus distribution test system illustrate key benefits of the proposed method, including (i) eliminating the need for an accurate offline system model, (ii) adapting to online network-topology and operating-point changes, and (iii) being robust against delays potentially attributed to communication, computation, and actuation. Additional numerical simulations involving larger test systems demonstrate computational scalability.

Workers’ safety behaviors in the off-site manufacturing plant

Purpose Although research on prefabricated construction has gained increasing attention in recent years, limited efforts have been devoted to investigating safety issues in the off-site manufacture, especially workers’ behavioral intentions to work safely. Thus, research is needed to identify the motivational factors determining off-site construction workers’ safety behaviors. The purpose of this paper is to investigate workers’ safety behavior by examining the determinants of behavioral intention in the off-site manufacturing plants in China. Design/methodology/approach Theory of planned behavior (TPB) was modified and used in this study to explain how the elements in the hypothesized model interact. Data were collected using a questionnaire. Structural equation modeling technique with partial least-squares estimation was used to analyze the data collected. Findings The findings of this study indicated that workers’ tendency to engage in safety behavior is positively related to attitude toward the behavior, subjective norm, perceived behavioral control and behavioral habit, among which attitude toward the behavior and behavioral habit have most significant influences on safety behavior. This finding provides a better explanation on the pathways and the impacts of the crucial factors on the safety behaviors for the off-site manufacture. Originality/value The possible innovation of this research lies in its attempt to understand the antecedents of workers’ safety behavior in the off-site construction environment, which may make original contributions to construction safety research and practice. The findings of this study contribute to the body of knowledge in TPB. Corresponding countermeasures are put forward in order to improve workers’ safety behavior in off-site construction.

SmartPLS 3: especificação, estimação, avaliação e relato

A modelagem de equações estruturais com estimação por mínimos quadrados parciais (PLS-SEM) tem sido empregada nas mais variadas áreas de pesquisa, aumentando a quantidade de artigos publicados com o uso desse método de modo exponencial. Há vários motivos para que isso esteja ocorrendo, mas um deles é o fato do software SmartPLS ter facilitado o uso do PLS-SEM. Este artigo tem o objetivo de apresentar sete exemplos didáticos com conjuntos de dados reais e disponíveis àqueles que queiram aprender ou ensinar PLS-SEM, tratando de temas como: avaliação do modelo de mensuração, avaliação do modelo estrutural, multicolinearidade, variável latente de segunda ordem, mediação, moderação com variável numérica e categórica (MGA – multi-group analysis).

Model and estimators for partial least squares regression

AbstractPartial least squares (PLS) regression has been a very popular method for prediction. The method can in a natural way be connected to a statistical model, which now has been extended and further developed in terms of an envelope model. Concentrating on the univariate case, several estimators of the regression vector in this model are defined, including the ordinary PLS estimator, the maximum likelihood envelope estimator, and a recently proposed Bayes PLS estimator. These are compared with respect to prediction error by systematic simulations. The simulations indicate that Bayes PLS performs well compared with the other methods.

Corporate social responsibility and access to finance among Ghanaian SMEs: The role of stakeholder engagement

AbstractThis paper investigates whether stakeholder engagement mediates the relationship between corporate social responsibility and access to external finance. The study relied on primary data ascertained from 423 SMEs operating within the Accra Metropolis of Ghana. The data were analyzed using partial least-squares estimation technique. The study revealed the mechanism through which CSR initiatives assist firms to access external finances. It was established that firms that engage more with their stakeholders are better positioned to access financial resources from external sources. Hence, it was recommended that SME managers should involve their stakeholders in the design of their CSR programs. The paper contributes to our knowledge of the CSR literature by showing how CSR initiatives influence firms’ access to finance among SMEs in developing economies.

Programas de gestão de ideias e inovação: as práticas das grandes empresas na região sul do Brasil

Investigação sobre a situação das iniciativas de gestão de ideias em empresas de grande porte do sul do Brasil, por meio de pesquisa exploratória e descritiva com abordagem quantitativa. A população da pesquisa foi de 85 empresas, com 41 respostas válidas. Os dados identificaram o perfil das empresas, as práticas de gestão de ideias, benefícios e obstáculos, e fatores determinantes da adoção de iniciativas. Os resultados indicam que 70% das empresas pesquisadas possuem programas estruturados para solicitar, estimular, avaliar, implementar e recompensar ideias oferecidas pelos funcionários. Os benefícios percebidos foram: capacidade maior de gerar ideias e transformá-las em projetos, o incremento da participação e trabalho em equipe, e o aumento da motivação entre os funcionários. Os principais fatores que dificultam a implantação dos programas de ideias são o baixo envolvimento do pessoal, problemas de comunicação e recompensas insuficientes à participação. Com relação à eficácia das iniciativas, a modelagem de equações estruturais com estimação por mínimos quadrados parciais (PLS) permite concluir que, embora as práticas de gestão de ideias influenciem positivamente os resultados de inovação, estas devem ser apoiadas por aspectos da cultura, comportamento e processos da empresa que contribuam para promover a aprendizagem, a absorção e compartilhamento do conhecimento, e o consequente desenvolvimento de atividades inovadoras. Finalmente, percebe-se a necessidade de estudos mais profundos sobre o papel da cultura, comportamentos, práticas gerenciais e processos associados à gestão do conhecimento e da inovação, e seus impactos na capacidade de inovar.

Study of partial least squares and ridge regression methods

ABSTRACTThis article considers both Partial Least Squares (PLS) and Ridge Regression (RR) methods to combat multicollinearity problem. A simulation study has been conducted to compare their performances with respect to Ordinary Least Squares (OLS). With varying degrees of multicollinearity, it is found that both, PLS and RR, estimators produce significant reductions in the Mean Square Error (MSE) and Prediction Mean Square Error (PMSE) over OLS. However, from the simulation study it is evident that the RR performs better when the error variance is large and the PLS estimator achieves its best results when the model includes more variables. However, the advantage of the ridge regression method over PLS is that it can provide the 95% confidence interval for the regression coefficients while PLS cannot.

The effect of public policies on entrepreneurial activity and economic growth

Policy makers' main interest is to avoid the problems resulting from the economic crisis. One way to avoid these problems is to stimulate economic growth as well as the necessary economic activity to reduce unemployment and to increase welfare. Specialized recent literature shows entrepreneurship as a key factor to enhance economic growth. Consequently, determining which economic policies could stimulate entrepreneurial activity and, indirectly, economic growth is relevant. This article's main goal is to analyze some of these policies' effects on entrepreneurship and economic growth. To achieve this goal, the study performs an empirical analysis of 13 European Union countries, divided in two complementary methods: Partial Least Squares (PLS) estimation and fsQCA. fsQCA allows completing the results obtained by PLS estimation, by allowing to obtain causal recipes or sufficient conditions that help to determine the relevant relation between economic variables.

Passenger satisfaction evaluation model for Urban rail transit: A structural equation modeling based on partial least squares

The rail transit has played an important role in economic vitality of the urban area. Providing services with high levels of quality is essential in order to promote public transportation by customizing the users of the services, and to reduce traffic congestion by shifting people away from private car use. For this reason, it is essential to understand passenger satisfaction with urban rail transit from a quantitative and systematic perspective. This paper borrows the fundamental concept of the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) model to establish a passenger satisfaction evaluation model for urban rail transit in China. A structural equation modeling (SEM) method and its parameter estimation method: Partial Least Squares (PLS), are applied to estimate the proposed model. An evaluation indicator system including three levels of indicators is established to measure passengers’ satisfaction on the services offered by the rail transit operation companies. The satisfaction index is obtained to quantize the degree of passenger satisfaction. The IPA matrix is used as an assist tool to show the advantages and disadvantages of the services of rail transit. Suzhou rail transit line 1 was used as a case study, four models with different latent constructs or estimation methods were built and compared, to demonstrate the proposed PSI model based on PLS estimation method was reliable and the sign and magnitude of parameters were reasonable. The causality between passenger satisfaction and its influence factors were confirmed by path coefficients of the model.

Social Capital in 2009: An Index for the Netherlands

This paper integrates a set of independent social capital indicators into one index by using structural equation modeling (SEM) based on partial least squares estimation (PLS). The social capital index consists of two dimensions: participation and trust. In each of the two dimensions, three levels are distinguished: social (micro), organizational (meso), and political (macro). The main objectives of the index are to: (1) provide a coherent overview of social capital in the Netherlands; (2) monitor social capital over time; and (3) compare subpopulations.A broad spectrum of indicators is included, however, these are only weakly correlated and consequently treated as distinct. Therefore, traditional index development methods such as factor analysis and reflective modeling cannot be applied. Consequently, formative modeling in which the indicators are specified as causes rather than as effects is used. We employ the Permanent Survey on Living Conditions 2009 (POLS), administered face-to-face to 7,560 respondents in the Netherlands. We find that the index predicts well-being and health, which demonstrates nomological validity. Subsequently, bootstrapping is conducted to test the robustness of the index.

Developing a Social Capital Index for the Netherlands

This paper integrates a set of independent social capital indicators into one index by using structural equation modeling (SEM) based on partial least squares estimation (PLS). The social capital index consists of two dimensions: participation and trust. In each of the two dimensions, three levels are distinguished: social (micro), organizational (meso), and political (macro). The main objectives of the index are to: (1) provide a coherent overview of social capital in the Netherlands; (2) monitor social capital over time; and (3) compare subpopulations. A broad spectrum of indicators is included, however, these are only weakly correlated and consequently treated as distinct. Therefore, traditional index development methods such as factor analysis and reflective modeling cannot be applied. Consequently, formative modeling in which the indicators are specified as causes rather than as effects is used. We employ the Permanent Survey on Living Conditions 2009 (POLS), administered face-to-face to 7,560 respondents in the Netherlands. We find that the index predicts well-being and health, which demonstrates nomological validity. Subsequently, bootstrapping is conducted to test the robustness of the index. And the 2009 index is replicated based on the 2010 POLS data. The replication shows that the 2009 model is relatively stable and results are robust. Finally, the model is extended by including volunteering and informal help, which changes the model but the results remain largely the same. This index, which is shown to be valid and robust, contributes to a further understanding of the concept of social capital.

The Role of Parent Brand Quality for Service Brand Extension Success

Although substantial differences between product quality and service quality have spurred service research for the past 30 years, studies of brand extension success drivers in a services context measure the core driver of parent brand quality, using scales developed for fast moving consumer goods (FMCG). This study instead assesses parent brand quality with a context-specific measure, drawn from service quality research, and analyzes the relative effects of key brand extension success drivers for services. Partial least squares (PLS) modeling offers diagnostic information about the impact of three dimensions of perceived parent brand quality on the perceived service quality of an extension product, a key success metric for service brand extensions. In contrast with previous studies, the dominant success driver is parent brand quality rather than the perceived fit between the parent brand and the extension. Moreover, all three dimensions of parent brand quality constitute distinct drivers that should be considered when managers assess the chances of service brand extension success, with outcome quality having the strongest impact on service brand extension success. An importance performance analysis of the PLS estimates for 27 hypothetical service extensions demonstrates the diagnostic value of this approach and charts a ‘‘priority map’’ for managerial decisions.

The impact of implicit and explicit communications on frontline service delivery staff

Using structural equation modelling employing partial least-squares estimation, data from staff in the consumer transport industry were analysed to explore the role of implicit and explicit communications on their service delivery behaviour. Both implicit and explicit communications were found to impact service delivery. Explicit communications had a direct impact on service delivery, whilst implicit communications (in the form of internal market orientation) operated through affective commitment and customer orientation. This study provides quantitative evidence of the roles of implicit and explicit communications on staff attitudes and behaviours, and offers insights into the management of communications with employees to ensure effective service delivery.