Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling Research Articles

Not all communication styles are created equal: the differing effects of communicating the family business brand’s roots and virtues

Purpose This study aims to examine the impact of communication style focusing on the family business brand’s roots and virtues on inferences of manipulative intent and willingness to pay a price premium, applying the persuasion knowledge model. Design/methodology/approach This study collects data involving 337 participants from France and applies partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) to test the hypotheses. Findings The results demonstrate that communication style plays an important role in inferences of manipulative intent: focusing on the family business brand’s virtues has a positive effect while focusing on the family business brand’s roots has a nonsignificant effect. In turn, inferences of manipulative intent have a negative and significant effect on willingness to pay a price premium. Furthermore, age does not moderate the effect of communication style focusing on the family restaurant brand’s roots and inferences of manipulative intent but positively moderates the effect of communication style focusing on the family restaurant brand’s virtues on inferences of manipulative intent. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to try to unpack the differing effects of communication styles in the context of family business brands. In this vein, it has insightful theoretical and managerial implications for family business brands.

Governmental Policies and Sustainable Outcomes in EU: How Innovations Change the Game?

Environmental degradation is one of the main challenges in today's world. Impact on the environment can be reduced through the introduction of clean and more efficient technologies. And innovation plays a crucial role in this process by replacing old equipment and methods. There are different ways how researchers understand sustainable innovations and sustainable innovation ecosystems. The terms "sustainable" and "sustainable development" have become very widely used in recent years. Sustainability is crucially important for the development of regions and national economies. Existing literature on the topic of sustainable innovation ecosystems includes vague and ambiguous definitions of sustainable innovation, as well as ways to measure it. A number of studies analyse the impact of different factors on conventional innovations and eco-innovations. However, not enough research has been done on the effects of innovations on all three dimensions of sustainable innovations, which are economic, environmental, and social. The aim of the article is to define whether governmental policies that promote innovation and sustainable development lead to environmental, social, and economic improvements in the EU countries. Our study uses the Eurostat data for 27 European Union countries. The literature review will include studies on sustainable innovation ecosystems. In the second chapter, we will describe the sustainable innovation ecosystems and ways to measure the sustainable outcomes of innovations. We study sustainable innovation ecosystems on a national level. We use partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) to determine the influence of governmental policies on sustainable outcomes, with product and process innovation as mediating variables. Under sustainable outcomes, we mean the economic, social, and environmental improvements on a national scale. The analysis is based on applying a quantitative method with empirical data using SmartPLS software. The results demonstrated a significant direct impact of governmental policies on innovation, as well as on environmental and social outcomes. However, they showed no indirect impacts connected to innovations. The results contribute to the current state of knowledge on sustainable innovation ecosystems and give policymakers valuable insights on factors that influence such ecosystems.

Financial Constraints vs Green Practices: Impact on Firm Value Energy in Indonesia

The impact of eco-efficiency, asset turnover, green accounting, and financial limitations on business value in the energy industry on the Indonesia Stock Exchange is examined in this study for the years 2020–2022. SmartPLS 3 was used to analyze financial statement data from 52 energy sector companies using Structural Equation Modeling-Partial Least Square (SEM-PLS). The findings indicate that while financial limitations have no discernible impact on corporate value, green accounting, asset turnover, and eco-efficiency do. The results of this study have significant implications for understanding the variables affecting business performance and value in the energy industry, as well as the significance of asset turnover, eco-efficiency measures, and green accounting in raising firm value. This research is expected to contribute to practitioners, regulators, and stakeholders in Indonesia's energy sector in the future to understand the influence of these factors.

Catalysts of social change and innovation: Mediating role of social self-efficacy and social support on social entrepreneurial intentions

There has been a recent surge in social entrepreneurship to address pressing social problems. Social ventures drive positive change and reshape traditional business norms by providing innovative solutions and fostering inclusive growth. Social entrepreneurial intention (SEI) is crucial to studying social entrepreneurship since it sheds light on the underlying motivations and factors that drive people to engage in social enterprise. The study examines empathy, moral obligation, perceived social support, social self-efficacy, risk-taking motive, and innovativeness as determinants of SEI. Data collected through an online questionnaire from 349 commerce and management students were analysed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM). Results reveal a significant influence of social self-efficacy, perceived social support, risk-taking motive, and innovativeness on SEI. Notably, the results highlight an indirect influence of empathy and moral obligation on SEI mediated by social self-efficacy and perceived social support. The study also reveals how social vision and social proactiveness relate to social self-efficacy. The findings have significant implications for encouraging social entrepreneurship. Policymakers and educators may use these insights to develop specific activities that assist prospective social entrepreneurs by enhancing the attributes that affect their desire to establish social ventures.

Micro-level Contributions Towards SDG Target 12.3: Identifying the Behavioural Drivers of Household Food Waste Reduction

In many Western countries, household food waste is by far the largest contributor to the overall total food waste and threatens the sustainability of the food system. In order to identify the factors that influence households’ food waste decisions and to predict behaviour towards food waste, the paper employs perspectives from the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) and the expectation, motivation and attitude (EMA) model. This paper extends the TPB model by adding the construct of affective states, since there is strong empirical support for this. Data from respondents in the UK who were responsible for purchasing household food and making food-related decisions were analysed using partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM). The results indicate that for the TPB, an individual’s attitude, PBC and affect had a statistically significant direct association with consumers’ intention to reduce food waste. In addition, the results show a direct positive association between intentions to reduce food waste and actual food waste behaviour. For the EMA, expectation influences motivation and attitude. Compared to the EMA, the TPB proves to be relatively good predictive models for understanding determinants of food waste reduction. The TBP also supports incorporating elements such as affective states, considering that the additional construct in the model contributes to improving understanding of consumers’ intention to reduce food waste. Collectively, household food waste can be reduced by avenues that influence individuals’ positive attitudes, increases the expectation that food waste reduction behaviour is within one’s control and evokes a positive affective state when food waste is reduced in households. JEL Classification: D1, D12, F64, Q53

Resident Participation in Environmental Governance of Sustainable Tourism in Rural Destination

The rapid development of rural tourism has placed significant pressure on the rural environment, and relying solely on the government and market forces is insufficient for effective governance. It is urgent to integrate endogenous rural forces into environmental governance. The development of social behavior theory offers new insights into exploring sustainable approaches for resident participation in environmental governance in rural tourism areas. This paper, based on the Stimulus-Organism-Response (SOR) theoretical framework from social behavior theory, outlines the entire process of rural tourism residents transitioning from individual stimuli to psychological responses and ultimately to participation in environmental governance. This study combines the Motivation-Opportunity-Ability (MOA) model to analyze the stimulus factors affecting local residents and jointly constructs a path mechanism model for resident participation in environmental governance in rural tourism areas. A total of 462 valid questionnaires were collected through a survey, and the Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) method was used for empirical testing to determine the path coefficients between variables. On this basis, a system dynamics model was constructed to simulate the dynamic evolution of the relationships between variables. This study found the following: (1) In the process of rural tourism, residents’ participation in environmental governance relies on motivational factors at the stimulus level to play a core leading role; opportunity factors act as catalysts, and ability factors serve as auxiliaries; participation willingness at the organism level plays a crucial role. (2) Material pursuit and formal institutions are the strongest single sustainable factors for residents’ participation in environmental governance in rural tourism areas; combinations of variables such as local attachment, governance knowledge, and governance identity have significant effects. It is recommended that future rural tourism leverage government guidance, coordinate interests, and adhere to a collaborative development approach to ensure the sustainable development of the rural tourism environment.

Developing and validating a scale for entrepreneurial marketing orientations: EMICO framework and its impact on business performance in startups

PurposeAlthough marketing is essential for a firm’s survival and growth, a set of entrepreneurial strategic orientations may help it gain a competitive advantage. Entrepreneurial marketing (EM) is critical for growing businesses to succeed in today's fast-paced industry. The present study aims to measure the role of EM on the business performance (BP) of Indian startups.Design/methodology/approachFor this purpose, a thorough literature review was conducted to develop a scale from the proposed conceptual framework – EMICO by Jones and Rowley (2009b). To assess the reliability and validity of the scale (62 items), the data are analyzed by employing partial least square-structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM).FindingsThe scale is empirically tested, and the results lead to discussions. The results show the positive impact of entrepreneurial orientation (EO), marketing orientation (MO), innovation orientation (IO) and customer orientation (CO) on the BP of the startups. The paper concludes by suggesting managerial and practical implications, also providing future research agenda.Originality/valueOur objective is to address the existing dearth of comprehensive scales for evaluating EM by undertaking a rigorous statistical approach. Notably, our research represents the pioneering effort in adopting the EMICO framework and subsequently formulating and empirically validating a robust scale specifically tailored for nascent or small-scale startups within the Indian context.

What can talent management do about involuntary remote working in the post-COVID-19 era? Spanish IT employees’ organizational commitment

The purpose of this study is to understand the role of professional isolation and work–family balance (WFB) as talent retention strategies, considering organizational commitment (OC) and the mediating role of job satisfaction (JS) among IT employees in the technological industry have been forced by their companies to telework. While previous research has examined the connections between professional isolation (PI), OC, WFB, and JS separately in the context of teleworking, this research proposes an integrative model examining the connections between all these work-related constructs and allowing for mediating and moderating effects. It focuses on IT employees in the technological industry forced to telework, a setting underexamined by previous literature. The final sample is composed of 294 teleworkers forced to work partly at home by their companies. Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was applied, and SmartPLS 4.0.8.7 software was used to analyze the data and test the hypotheses. Our results indicate a positive and significant direct effect of WFB on JS and OC, a negative and significant effect of PI on JS and OC, and a positive and significant effect of JS on OC. Our results also indicate that JS mediates the relationship between WFB and OC and between PI and OC and that neither time spent teleworking nor gender moderates the association between PI and OC. Overall, our results suggest that while PI negatively affects OC, JS, and WFB are the most relevant determinants of OC in the context of teleworking. In addition, a complementary IPMA analysis reinforces this view by suggesting that WFB and JS are the most important factors in determining OC performance among IT employees working from home, while PI is not important. The originality of this article is the proposal of an integrative model examining the connections between JS, WFB, PI, and OC and allowing for mediating (JS) and moderating (gender and percentage of time teleworking) effects from a talent management perspective. Moreover, this study focuses on information technology companies and the situation of forced remote working, two settings that have been underexamined. The results could help companies with forced teleworking develop effective strategies to attract, develop, and retain top talent in the information technology industry in the post-pandemic era. It is important for practitioners to consider the interactions between diverse work-related dimensions and the mediating and moderating effects between them to efficiently implement talent management strategies and reinforce OC and, in turn, economic performance.

Entrepreneurial Leadership and Green Innovative Work Behavior: The Role of Green Soft and Hard Talent Management with a Dual Theoretical Lens

The implementation of green initiatives by hospitality employees can significantly enhance the environmental sustainability of hospitality firms. However, there is a lack of research exploring the mechanisms influencing hospitality employees’ green innovative work behavior (GIWB). Through the mediation paths of green soft talent management (GSTM) and green hard talent management (GHTM), this study seeks to investigate how entrepreneurial leadership promotes GIWB. The data from 366 employees and managers in Pakistan’s hospitality industry were collected through a survey method using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). The findings reveal that the effects of entrepreneurial leadership on GIWB, the direct effects of GSTM and GHTM, and the interaction effects between entrepreneurial leadership and GIWB are substantial. Based on the upper echelons theory and the resource-based view concept, this study extends research on the leadership–GIWB macro nexus and increases our understanding of the mechanisms behind employee GIWB, particularly in the hospitality setting.

Mediation/moderation effects of engagement, foreign language enjoyment, and ambiguity tolerance in metaverse-based foreign language learning

This study investigates how engagement (E), foreign language enjoyment (FLE), and ambiguity tolerance (AT) exert mediation/moderation in metaverse-based foreign language learning (FLL). Featuring augment/simulation-based experiences and self-fulfillment/external-control-oriented mechanics, metaverse provides virtualized interactive circumstances involving individuals’ embodied presence/behaviors, aligning with FLL that emphasizes social interaction. Based on the quantified survey data, partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) analyses investigate the significance and positivity of the mediation/moderation relations. According to the results, E exerts fully positive mediation in the effect of intrinsic motivation (IM) on learning effectiveness (LE), FLE exerts partially positive mediation in the effect of classroom social climate (CSC) on E, and AT exerts negative moderation in the positive effect of E on LE. Notably, FLE exerts insignificant mediation in the effect of growth mindset (GM) on E. Therefore, efficient metaverse-based FLL requires synergies of affective factors, i.e., intrinsic motivation, perceptions of classroom social climate, moderate degrees of ambiguity tolerance, and engagement, for sustainable and long-term language learning progress in virtual interactive experiences. At the theoretical level, the findings extend the FLL-related models and advance the understanding of FLL. At the practical level, the findings provide references for more efficient metaverse implementations in FLL.

How coolness drives Airbnb users’ behavioural intention: findings from asymmetric and symmetric approaches

ABSTRACT A brand’s perceived coolness enhances its appeal and can be crucial to brand success. Building on the model of goal-directed behaviour (MGB), this study investigates how the perceived coolness of Airbnb, influences consumers’ behavioural intentions regarding the platform. The proposed hypotheses were tested using partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM). The study sample consisted of 557 U.S. travellers who had had an Airbnb accommodation experience in the past six months. Fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) was subsequently employed to uncover the causal configurations of consumers’ desire and behavioural intentions toward Airbnb. The PLS-SEM results demonstrated the critical role of perceived coolness in influencing one’s desire and behavioural intentions toward Airbnb. The fsQCA findings suggested that causal configurations inform consumers’ behavioural intentions toward Airbnb across generations. Anticipated emotions applied to all configurations. This study extends the relevant literature by incorporating perceived coolness into the MGB model in the Airbnb context. Findings also contribute to the literature by revealing causal configurations via fsQCA. Airbnb providers should seek to develop and enhance the four identified facets of perceived coolness. The consumer market should also be classified generationally. The roles of anticipated emotions cannot be ignored.

Investigation of the Effects of Creative Imagination on Academic Outcomes in Design Programs

Imagination as the key to the creative process is one of the key components of design education that affects students' problem-solving skills and innovation. The purpose of this research is to determine the impact of creative imagination on the academic performance of students enrolled in design courses. It intends to obtain a measure of the way creative imagination affects or influences students’ performance as well as their achievements. However, there is a lack of understanding regarding the correlation between creativity and performance among university students. The study collected data on creative imagination and academic performance through a survey of 350 participants drawn from five universities. Self-administered questionnaires were distributed to 350 participants, of which 320 were 176 males and 144 females. The research included quantitative techniques such as linear regression, correlation analysis, and structural equation modeling-partial least squares (SEM-PLS). Further, the result of the analysis showed that imagination level has the most significant impact on academic outcomes in design programs with a strong positive effect (β=0.35, p-value = 0.04). Higher creative imagination scores had a positive correlation with grades and students' involvement. This underscores the importance of forecasting to enhance students’ performance and engagement in design programs. The strategies used in education should be utilized to supplement creativity to raise the performance and satisfaction of students.

Price Sensitivity and the Influence of Green Knowledge on Consumer Attitude and Purchase Intention in the Context of Sustainable Goods

Background and Objective - Legislators and organizations trying to encourage sustainable consumption as a result of evolving consumer tastes and economical limitations need to recognize how these issues interact. This study aimed to assess the relationship among price sensitivity (PS), green knowledge (GRK), female consumers attitude (CA), and purchase intention (PI) for sustainable goods. Methodology - Using a questionnaire of 250 female consumers, this study examines hypotheses related to the factors using the Structural Equation Modeling-Partial Least Squares (SEM-PLS) methodology. Results - The connection among GRK and CA for sustainable goods is moderated by PS, with greater GRK increasing PI. Nevertheless, PS affects the desire of customers to pay charges. Conclusion - In an atmosphere of competition, this study emphasizes the influence of price strategies and awareness among female consumers while highlighting the significance of PS and GRK in encouraging sustainable consumption patterns.

Reviews, trust, and customer experience in online marketplaces: the case of Mercado Libre Colombia

PurposeThe research focuses on the crucial role of online reviews in shaping consumer trust in e-commerce platforms, examining the impact of perceived authentic and fake reviews on purchasing decisions and platform reputation. It assesses how consumers perceive review authenticity and quality and their effects on trust levels in reviews, marketplaces, and reputation systems. It also explores the relationship between trust forms and overall experiences.Design/methodologyA quantitative approach is employed, utilizing a questionnaire distributed to recent Mercado Libre buyers. To test hypotheses, data from 326 valid responses are analyzed using confirmatory factor analysis and Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM).FindingsFindings reveal that fake review perception negatively affects trust in rating systems, while high-quality reviews positively influence all trust forms. Customer experience is directly impacted by trust in marketplaces and rating systems, indicating a mediation effect of trust in the rating system on the relationship between fake review perception and customer experience.Research limitations/implicationsLimitations include using a convenience sample and focusing on trust in the rating system rather than reviews or the marketplace, suggesting avenues for future research. Practical implications include recommendations to ensure review quality, enhance rating system controls, and promote review usage in the purchase process.OriginalityThe study addresses a timely and relevant gap in understanding the impact of reviews on e-commerce trust, particularly within the context of Latin America and Mercado Libre’s dominance in the region’s e-commerce landscape.

The Influence of Information Computer and Technology (ICT) Self-Efficacy and Entrepreneurial Learning on Technopreneurial Intention Among Engineering Students In Bandung City

The technology industry in Indonesia has experienced rapid growth, creating new opportunities for entrepreneurship in a field called technopreneurship. Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), which contribute 61% to Indonesia's GDP, are undergoing a transformation by integrating online platforms and industrial processes. As of 2021, Indonesia ranked 74th out of 137 countries, with an entrepreneurship rate of 3.47%. This study aims to explore how ICT self-efficacy and entrepreneurial learning influence the intention to pursue technopreneurship among engineering students in Bandung. By understanding these factors, the research seeks to identify key elements in the formation of technopreneurs in Indonesia. The study employs a quantitative research method, using surveys to gather data. The survey is designed based on factors that influence the entrepreneurial intensity of engineering students. The research involves 382 samples from various universities in Bandung. Data will be analyzed using the Partial Least Square Structural Equation Model (PLS-SEM). The study tests three hypotheses, all of which show a positive and significant relationship between ICT self-efficacy, entrepreneurial learning, and technopreneurship intentions. The findings suggest that students with higher confidence in ICT and better entrepreneurial learning are more likely to have a strong intention to become technopreneurs. These results are expected to serve as a reference for universities in developing strategies to enhance technopreneurship interest among their students, contributing to the growth of the technopreneur ecosystem in Indonesia.

Social Media Marketing, Brand Image, Brand Awareness, Perceived Quality And Purchase Intention In Skincare Product Users

This study aims to examine the influence of social media marketing on brand image, brand awareness, and perceived quality in skincare product users. Research methods using quantitative approach descriptive causality. The sample consisted of 105 respondents who are active skincare users on instagram. Data were collected through online questionnaires and analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The results showed that social media marketing has a significant and positive influence on brand image, brand awareness, and perceived quality, which can increase purchase intention. These findings indicate that an increase in social media marketing can increase consumer purchase intention. Based on the results of this study, it is recommended that skincare companies are advised to continue to optimize social media marketing strategies to build a positive brand image, increase brand awareness, and strengthen perceived quality in order to create consumer desire to buy products.

Exploring the Impact of Social Robot Design Characteristics on Users’ Privacy Concerns: Evidence from PLS-SEM and FsQCA

Although an increasing number of studies explore the factors influencing users’ privacy concerns regarding social robots, the existing understanding of this issue remains largely fragmented. Previous studies have mainly focused on the "net effect" between variables, leaving the complexity of causal configurations, and the holistic impact of design characteristics of social robots on user privacy concerns remains unclear. Based on the Stimuli-Organism-Response (S-O-R) framework and Communication Privacy Management Theory (CPMT), this study integrates social robot design characteristics such as Anthropomorphism, Warmth, Competence, and Transparency into causal configurations, and uses Perceived Privacy Risk and Perceived Privacy Control as mediating variables to propose a Comprehensive conceptual model. Based on valid data from a sample of 198 Chinese social robot users, this study conducted empirical analyses of the conceptual model using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) and Fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (FsQCA). PLS-SEM results show that anthropomorphism, warmth, competence, and transparency are key factors influencing privacy concerns, and perceived privacy risk mediates the relationship between warmth, information transparency, and privacy concerns. The FsQCA results further validated the findings of PLS-SEM and identified five configurations of factor combinations that led to higher levels of user privacy concerns. Among them, the combination of high anthropomorphism design, high competence, and low warmth of social robots is the core configuration that leads to users’ privacy concerns. Overall, this study broadens our understanding of social robot users’ privacy concerns and reveals the causal complexity behind social robot users’ privacy concerns. It provides some theoretical and practical insights for subsequent scholars and designers.

Towards a sustainable coffee supply chain: the role of digital platform capability in increasing organisational agility

ABSTRACT The increasing demand for coffee in Indonesia and abroad, accompanied by value creation from applying sustainability principles for coffee brands or outlets, leads to potential opportunities for coffee product entrepreneurs. Through the development of an online platform that entrepreneurs can directly access to eliminate links in the supply chain, coffee entrepreneurs have the opportunity to compete through national and international markets. Therefore, this study examined the effectiveness of digital platform applications in increasing the supply chain competitiveness of agricultural micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSME) products in Indonesia, especially coffee products. The conceptual model in this study examines the relationship between digital platform capability and organisational agility, specifically addressing when and how digital platform can help MSME exporters increase their organisation’s agility. This research uses theory of capability dynamism and the partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) method to test the proposed model and estimate the relationship between constructs. Consequently, this research develops strategies for the supply chain stakeholders using the why-how-laddering method for managerial implications. The study’s findings show that organisational agility can be supported by improving digital platform capability, and nine strategic recommendations can be applied to increase coffee exporters’ digital platform capability and organisational agility, respectively.

Enhancement of Tourism Students’ Well-Being via Online Education: A Framework for Exploration in the Great Bay Area of China

ABSTRACT The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted tourism education worldwide. In the Great Bay Area of China, where tourism is a key industry, the effects on tourism education directly influence the sector’s development. This study aims to enhance tourism students’ well-being in online education by developing a framework based on social cognitive career theory. This framework explores the antecedents affecting students’ academic performance and life satisfaction during this unprecedented period. Using survey data from tourism students in the Great Bay Area and employing Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) for analysis, the findings confirm a nomological network. This network elucidates the roles of personal affective traits and external environmental factors on both academic and life satisfaction, mediated by personal dispositional factors such as self-efficacy, expectations, and goal progress.

Exploring Innovative Approaches to Managing Cultural Heritage for Economic Benefit

Cultural heritage management is essential for protecting the historical and cultural significance of sites while contributing to economic growth. This study's objective is to ascertain and evaluate modern management techniques for heritage sites that maximize economic benefits while ensuring sustainable protection. It seeks to discover methods that effectively stabilize heritage conservation with economic development goals. This study investigates the relationship between Economic benefits, Cultural preservation, Public Engagement, Community Impact, Sustainability of Management Practices, and Innovative approaches to managing cultural heritage utilizing Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). A systematic questionnaire with a Likert scale rating was used to collect data from 450 populations. The measurement model assessed the validity and reliability of latent constructs, while the structural model analyzed the relationship between constructs based on the proposed hypotheses. The structural model revealed that EB, CP, and SMP are positively connected to the IMCH, between cultural heritages for economic benefit. (β = 0.55,0.50,and 0.56,p < 0.05), providing well support for hypothesis 1, 2, and 5. The result shows there are no significant changes to managing cultural heritage for economic benefit.