Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling Research Articles

Health tourism in Malaysia: understanding the drivers of satisfaction and revisit intention

ABSTRACT Medical tourism is a dynamic industry that seeks to improve satisfaction and foster loyalty among Arab medical tourists. This study delves into the complex experience of medical tourism among Arab patients in Malaysia by using an integrated analytical framework that examines the combined effects of quality perception and recovery experience on tourists’ satisfaction and intentions to revisit. Utilising a cross-sectional design with purposive sampling, the study collected responses from 432 Arab patients, employing Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) and Necessary Conditions Analysis (NCA) to analyze the data. The findings reveal that perceived quality, especially in healthcare services and post-treatment care, significantly enhances tourist satisfaction, which directly influences their intentions to revisit. Additionally, trust emerged as a critical factor that not only strengthens the relationship between satisfaction and revisit intentions but also acts as a necessary condition for achieving high satisfaction levels. This research contributes to tourism literature by detailing the specific pathways through which service quality and recovery experience impact tourist satisfaction and revisit intentions. It provides practical insights for medical tourism providers to optimise service delivery and trust-building strategies, thereby enhancing Malaysia's reputation as a premier medical tourism destination.

ChatGPT awareness, acceptance, and adoption in higher education: the role of trust as a cornerstone

As technology continues to advance, the integration of generative artificial intelligence tools in various sectors, including education, has gained momentum. ChatGPT, an extensively recognized language model created by OpenAI, has gained significant importance, particularly in education. This study investigates the awareness, acceptance, and adoption of ChatGPT, a state-of-the-art language model developed by OpenAI, in higher education institutions across China. This study applies the partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) method for examining data collected from 320 Chinese university students. The study’s conceptual framework integrates key determinants from the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and extends it by incorporating perceived intelligence as a critical factor in the adoption process. The study findings reveal that ChatGPT awareness significantly influences the intention to adopt ChatGPT. Perceived ease of use, usefulness, and intelligence significantly mediate the association between ChatGPT awareness and adoption intention of ChatGPT. Additionally, perceived trust significantly moderates the relationship between ChatGPT awareness and perceived ease of use, usefulness, and intelligence. Moving forward, in order to maintain students’ critical thinking skills and inventiveness in their assessment writing, assessments must promote the safe use of ChatGPT. Therefore, educators will be crucial in ensuring that artificial intelligence tools are used in assessments ethically and suitably by providing clear guidelines and instructions.

Modeling listeners’ perceptions of quality in consecutive interpreting: a case study of a technology interpreting event

Understanding listeners’ perceptions of consecutive interpreting (CI) quality is crucial for the interpreting profession and service management. However, research in this area is still in its early stages, lacking in-depth exploration of how listeners’ subjective factors impact their perceived CI quality and the extent of these interactions. This study introduced a research model based on existing literature, incorporating six key listener variables: listeners’ quality expectations, perceived characteristics of the interpreter, experiences with CI, domain knowledge, perceived dependence on CI, and perceived communicative effect. A case-based survey was conducted during a simulated interpreter-mediated technical conference. We surveyed 107 conference attendees before and after the technical event, testing 11 proposed hypotheses using their self-reported data. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). The findings indicate that (1) domain knowledge has a negative impact on listeners’ perceived CI quality, while the remaining five listener variables positively influence their CI quality perceptions. Quality expectations emerge as the most influential predictor, followed by perceived characteristics of the interpreter and perceived communicative effect. (2) Listeners’ perceived characteristics of the interpreter and perceived communicative effect are positively predicted by their quality expectations, which highlights the fundamental role of quality expectations. (3) Domain knowledge and experiences with CI are confirmed as significant factors influencing quality expectations, while perceived characteristics of the interpreter significantly drive perceived communicative effect. Overall, the findings reveal the complex interplay of these subjective factors and illustrate how they collectively shape listeners’ perceptions of CI quality. Theoretical and practical implications for professional interpreting practice and interpreter training are also discussed.

Businesses model innovation: a key role in the internationalisation of SMEs in the era of digitalisation

The study investigates the relationship between digital technology (DT) and the degree of internationalisation of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The theoretical model is further extended by reviewing the mediating effects of business model innovation (BMI). The study employed partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) to test the hypotheses based on the cross-sectional data from 495 SMEs in Vietnam. The findings provide a novel perspective on the vital role of DT in BMI. However, DT poses challenges for SMEs in the degree of the internationalisation process. This study combines the internationalisation theory, particularly the Uppsala model and the resource-based view to examine the impact of DT on the internationalisation of SMEs through the mediating role of BMI.

Sports betting on sports consumers’ behavioral intention

ABSTRACT The legalization of sports betting has transformed the sports industry, and strategic partnerships between professional leagues and betting companies have become commonplace. The purpose of this study was to explore how sport fans actively engage in their favorite team via sports betting and examine the relationship between sports betting involvement, flow, satisfaction, and behavioral intentions among sports fans. An online survey was conducted to collect data from U.S. sports fans (N = 342), and partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was used to analyze the data. The results showed that sports betting involvement positively affects fans’ flow experience and satisfaction, which in turn increases their behavioral intentions regarding game attendance and media consumption. Overall, the study contributes to the sport management literature by substantiating the positive role of sports betting in enhancing sports fan experiences. The study provides valuable insights into how sports betting can be used to increase behavioral intention via satisfaction and flow.

Population shrinkage and its influence on housing prices: A mediation perspective based on commercial amenities

The effects of population shrinkage have become a new topic of concern. Existing research has explored the effects of population shrinkage on housing prices within specific cities, yet due to scale variations, the effects of population shrinkage on housing prices may exhibit uncertainty, are conclusions drawn at the micro level applicable to the macro level? Currently, there is limited exploration of the collective effects of micro mechanisms of population shrinkage on housing prices. In this paper, we outline the effects of population shrinkage on housing prices at both macro and micro levels. Subsequently, we propose to explore the general effects of population shrinkage on housing prices based on commercial amenities. Specifically, we analyze the spatial patterns and characteristics of population shrinkage and housing prices in 1235 Chinese shrinking counties. Furthermore, using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM), we examine how commercial amenities mediate the relationship between population shrinkage and housing prices. This study contributes theoretically and empirically to understanding the impact of population shrinkage on housing prices, while also holds practical significance for regulating the effects of population shrinkage and stabilizing the value of real estate markets from the perspective of commercial amenities.

Authentic Leadership and Socially Responsible Behavior: Sequential Mediation of Psychological Empowerment and Psychological Capital and Moderating Effect of Perceived Corporate Social Responsibility

The aim of the study is to explore the relationship between authentic leadership and socially responsible behavior among employees in Saudi Arabia’s service sector, which aligns with Saudi Vision 2030. Utilizing social cognitive theory as the theoretical framework, the research proposes that authentic leadership indirectly influences socially responsible behavior through psychological empowerment and psychological capital as parallel and serial mediators. Additionally, the study examines the moderating effect of CSR perceptions on these relationships. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 349 professionals from the service sector. The results, analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM), revealed that authentic leadership does not directly impact SRB. Instead, the relationship is fully mediated by psychological empowerment and psychological capital. Moreover, CSR perceptions significantly moderate the relationship between authentic leadership and psychological empowerment and have an indirect effect of authentic leadership on SRB through psychological empowerment and psychological capital. The findings highlight the importance of fostering an authentic leadership style and the way the psychological resources of empowerment and psychological capital carry forward this effect to promote SRB in the service sector. Additionally, the study underscores the role of CSR perceptions in strengthening the impact of authentic leadership on employee outcomes. The research contributes to the literature on leadership, CSR, and employee behavior and also offers practical implications for organizations aiming to enhance their social responsibility initiatives.

Linking social capital as mediated by self-efficacy and its impact on farmers’ well-being: The case of Guizhou Province, China

In recent years, how farmers leverage social capital to improve their well-being has become a crucial question in post-poverty alleviation China. This study assessed the impact of ‘linking social capital’ on farmers’ well-being, as mediated by self-efficacy. The study was conducted using data collected from 443 randomly selected farmers from two villages in Guizhou Province, China. The Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Model (PLS-SEM) was employed to analyze the proposed relationships in the study. The results indicate that linking social capital, when mediated by self-efficacy, positively impacted farmers’ well-being. This suggests that policymakers and implementers exercising hierarchical power in social improvement programs in disadvantaged provinces, such as Guizhou, should take full advantage of linking social capital to effectively improve farmers’ well-being. In doing so, the study concludes, they should consider the positive role farmers’ self-efficacy can play in the process.

Digitization adoption in developing countries: Investigating the factors affecting intention to use digital currency in Vietnam

In the contemporary landscape characterized by technological advancements and a progressive economic environment, the utilization of currency has undergone a paradigm shift. Despite the growing prevalence of digital currency, its adoption among the Vietnamese population faces several challenges, including limited financial literacy, concerns over security, and resistance to change from traditional cash-based transactions. This research aims to identify these challenges and propose solutions to encourage the widespread use of digital currency in Vietnam. This research adopts a quantitative approach, utilizing Likert scale questionnaires, with a dataset of 330 records. The interrelationships among variables are analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). The analysis results substantiate the viability of the research model, confirming the hypotheses. The findings demonstrate a positive relationship and the significance impact of factors such as perceived usefulness (PU), perceived ease of use (PEOU), perceived trust (PT), social influence (SI), openness to innovation (OI), and financial knowledge (FK) to intention to use digital currency (IUDC). Thereby aiming to inform policymakers, industry stakeholders, and the wider community, fostering a deeper understanding of consumer behavior and providing solutions to enhance the adoption of digital currency in the evolving landscape of digital finance.

The Influence of Customer Participation Towards Repurchase Intention with Online Brand Community Trust and Positive eWOM as Intervening Variables in BeautyHaul

E-commerce technology is advancing rapidly in Indonesia's personal care and cosmetics industries. BeautyHaul, the first personal care e-commerce company in Indonesia, aims to strengthen relationships with customers and increase their loyalty through consumer involvement in brand communities and word-of-mouth (eWOM) marketing which have the potential to increase repurchase intention. Data were collected from a sample survey of 155 respondents using purposive sampling method, which were analysed through Partial Least Squares-Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) and PLS-Predict. The coefficient of determination R2 indicates the influence of independent variables on repurchase intention is 44%. The analysis findings show that customer participation, positive electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM) and online brand community trust has positive and significant influence on repurchase intention on direct effect. The result shows that positive electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM) and online brand community trust also have positive and significant influence as mediators between customer participation and repurchase intention. Based on the findings of this study, BeautyHaul should concentrate more on boosting customer participation in order to strengthen repurchase intention.

ESM Adoption for Marketing Purposes in Organizations: The TOE Framework

This research, utilizing the technology-organization-­environment (TOE) framework, aimed to examine the roles of technological competence, top management support, coercive pressures, normative pressures, and mimetic pressures in the adoption of enterprise social media (ESM) for marketing purposes by organizations, and ultimately, in facilitating their relationship marketing practices. From 452 responses collected via an online survey across five organizations using ESM for marketing in Iran, 400 valid data points were analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). The findings revealed that technological competence, top management support, and mimetic pressures positively influence ESM implementation for marketing purposes. However, coercive and normative pressures were found to have no significant impact on ESM adoption for this purpose. Additionally, the study demonstrated that ESM implementation for marketing significantly impacts all components of relationship marketing practices. To the best of our knowledge, this is among the few studies addressing ESM adoption by organizations for marketing and external communications. Moreover, this study is the first to extend the advanced TOE framework to the domain of ESM implementation for marketing purposes.

Awareness advertising influence on consumers buying intention: Exploring attitude as a mediating factor

This study investigates the intricate relationship between awareness advertising and buying intention among Iraqi grocery shoppers, exploring the mediating role of consumer attitude. Employing a quantitative approach, the authors surveyed 300 shoppers. Using a random sampling technique. To ensure rigor and validity, the authors rigorously analyzed the relationships using partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) based on 288 valid responses. The findings reveal that awareness advertising significantly impacts buying intention, mediated by consumer attitude. These insights offer valuable management implications for product marketers. Sufficient brand awareness attracts consumer attention, shapes positive attitudes, and ultimately drives purchase decisions. This study further validates the theoretical model of consumer response by empirically establishing consumer attitude as a central intermediary between awareness advertising and buying intention within the Iraqi market context.

Students’ Well-Being and Academic Engagement: A Multivariate Analysis of the Influencing Factors

This paper aims to identify the factors that are positively or negatively impacting students’ well-being and their academic engagement. We used partial least-squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) using the data collected through a questionnaire from four countries: Romania, Turkey, Slovakia, and Bulgaria. The model includes seven factors that influence the well-being of students and indirectly their academic engagement: stressors in the students’ lives; professors’ support; social support from family and friends; the students’ perceived satisfaction in their lives; engaging in activities during their leisure time; self-exploration regarding their careers; and environmental exploration regarding their careers. The results show that all factors, except for stressors and environmental exploration regarding their careers, positively influence the students’ well-being and thus their academic engagement. These findings are useful for university professors and managers in better organizing activities to increase academic performance.

Memorable experiences and their influential factors: an importance-performance analysis of a cultural event

ABSTRACT This study aimed to verify the underlying influential factors of cultural event attributes and proposed a structural model to examine the event dimensions that influence attendees’ memorable experiences and subsequent life satisfaction and sharing experiences. Partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) was used to analyse the proposed conceptual model with data obtained from 756 respondents. The results indicated that activities, uniqueness, distinctiveness and authenticity had strong and positive effects on memorable experiences, which, in turn, impacted life satisfaction and sharing experiences via social media. An in-depth examination through importance – performance map analysis (IPMA) revealed the prioritisation of crucial event dimensional attributes.

Dampak Kinerja Keuangan terhadap Profitabilitas Bank Syariah: Analisis Perbandingan Bank Syariah di Indonesia dan Malaysia

This study aims to analyze the effect of financial performance on the profitability of Islamic banks in Indonesia and Malaysia, using the Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) approach and secondary data from 2019 to 2023. The results showed that asset quality, as measured by Net Performing Financing, proved to have a significant influence on profitability, with the coefficient value of Islamic banks in Indonesia is 0.035 and in Malaysia is 0.05. While other factors do not have a significant effect on profitability. This shows that both Islamic banks are very vulnerable to the quality of financing. Based on the results of this study, it is expected that stakeholders, such as Islamic banks and the government, can take concrete steps to improve the profitability and stability of the Islamic banking sector. Islamic banks are expected to focus on improving asset quality, managing credit risk better, and developing effective risk management strategies. Keywords: Financial performance; Profitability; Islamic banks; Indonesia; Malaysia; PLS-SEM.

The mediation effect of supervisor support and total rewards on the relationship between flexible work arrangements and turnover intentions in Gen Z

Purpose Flexibility in the workplace is increasingly considered an important aspect of human resource strategy aimed at attracting and retaining a high-quality workforce. The purpose of this study is to explore the direct relationships between both employee- and employer-centered flexible work arrangements and turnover intentions, specifically focusing on Generation Z employees. In addition, this study also examines the mediating role of supervisor support and total rewards in these relationships. Design/methodology/approach This study used a quantitative research design using a cross-sectional survey method to gather data from employees born from 1995 across three industries – logistics, retail sales, and manufacturing. Partial least-squares structural equation modeling was used to analyze the data. The survey was conducted online, ensuring a diverse geographical spread and adherence to the representativeness of Generation Z within these sectors. Findings Contrary to existing literature, the findings reveal no direct correlation between flexible working arrangements (FWAs) and turnover intentions in this demographic. Instead, the results highlight the significant mediating roles of perceived supervisor support and total rewards. Specifically, these factors were found to influence turnover intentions in relation to the availability of employee-centered FWAs. The findings provide theoretical and practical implications, suggesting an adaptation of human resource strategies to better align with the preferences and expectations of Generation Z in the workplace. Originality/value In contrast to existing literature, this study examines the relationship between the availability of two different types of flexible work arrangements (employee- and employer-centered) and turnover intentions, specifically among Generation Z employees. In addition, this research introduces mediation analysis to investigate the roles of perceived supervisor support and total rewards – constructs that have been rarely considered in the context of these relationships.

Exploring the antecedent factors of continuous intention to use mobile money: insights from emerging markets

Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine the factors that may have an influence on the continuous intention to use mobile money as one of the Financial Technology (FinTech) products beyond the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown period. Design/methodology/approach This study has empirically tested the expanded post-acceptance model (Extend-PAM) and the expectation-confirmation model (ECM) to explain the mobile money adoption in Jordan. Data collected were analyzed through partial least squares–structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). Findings The results mainly showed that the quality of administrative services and trust significantly impact confirmation and perceived usefulness. In addition, perceived security and knowledge of mobile money as one of the FinTech services significantly influence users’ confirmation and perceived usefulness. Also, usefulness and satisfaction influence continuous intention. Significant relationships were noted among confirmation, perceived usefulness, satisfaction and continuous intention to use mobile money. Originality/value This paper integrates two key theories: the expanded post-acceptance model (Extend-PAM) and the expectation-confirmation model (ECM) in the post-adoption behavior of mobile money. Therefore, this study attempts to fill a literature gap by examining the antecedent factors that influence the continuous intention to use mobile money services in the post-consumption stage.

Do green banking practices improve the sustainability performance of banking institutions? The mediating role of green finance

Purpose This study aims to examine the mediating role of green finance in the relationship between green banking practices and the sustainability performance of banking institutions in developing economies. Design/methodology/approach The authors performed an empirical investigation by applying the “partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM)” based on a representative sample of 414 bank employees working in the National Capital Region, India. Findings The study’s outcome confirms that employee, top-management, operation and policy related practices substantially influence green finance and banks’ sustainability performance. On the contrary, customer related practices insignificantly influence banks’ sustainability performance. Further, green finance substantially influences the sustainability performance of banking institutions. Practical implications This study shed light on green banking practices that can assist in achieving the vision of the “Clean India Mission” of the Indian government. In addition, it encourages policymakers and bank managers to fulfill their social responsibility by engaging employees and customers in cleaner operations to promote banks’ sustainability performance. Originality/value This is ground-breaking research that enriches the understanding of green banking practices and green finance by providing a novel theoretical framework concerning the sustainability performance of banking institutions. Theoretically, this paper also broadens the scope of corporate social responsibility literature by applying the resource-based view theory in finance and banking.

Understanding digital engagement: factors influencing awareness and satisfaction of digital transformation

In an era marked by rapid digital transformation, understanding the factors that influence digital engagement is crucial for bridging the digital divide. This study aims to explore the impact of individual factors such as networking motive, social media use, content service usage, and economic activity on digital transformation awareness and satisfaction. Utilizing Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) to analyze data from 7,000 respondents of the National Information Society Agency (NIA)'s 2022 Digital Divide Survey, this research provides empirical insights into the dynamics of digital engagement. The findings reveal that networking motive significantly predicts social media use, which in turn slightly enhances digital transformation awareness but not satisfaction. Conversely, economic activity positively influences both awareness and satisfaction with digital transformation, underscoring the tangible benefits of digital economic engagement. Life service utilization emerged as a crucial factor, significantly impacting both awareness and satisfaction. These results offer critical implications for policymakers, educators, and digital platform developers, suggesting the need for targeted strategies to enhance digital literacy, promote inclusive digital services, and foster economic opportunities in the digital domain.

Determining factors influencing flood preparedness among citizens in Jakarta: A protection motivation theory approach

The Jakarta Metropolitan Area is one of the cities heavily affected by floods in Asia. Effective disaster risk reduction strategies require deep understanding of what motivates its citizens towards preparedness and mitigation actions. This study aimed to discern these motivating factors among Jakarta's residents through the Protection Motivation Theory (PMT) approach. Through an online survey, 304 participants provided insights into how the extended PMT factors shape their Protection Motivation (PM) towards flood preparedness. A total of nine (9) variables and 41 constructs were considered in this study. PMT factors were comprised of PM, Perceived Severity (PS), Perceived Vulnerability (PV), Response Efficacy (RE), and Perceived Self-Efficacy (SE) along with additional factors such as Media (M), Government Preventive Actions (GA), Flood Experience (FE), and Geographical Perspectives (GP). Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) revealed that SE had the most substantial impact on influencing PM (β = 0.522) followed by PV, PS, and RE. The results also showed the significance of M and GA to both SE and RE. Meanwhile, FE illustrates positive impact to both PV and PS. Interestingly, GP was found to be only significant to PV and not to PS. External factors M and GA demonstrated a significant indirect effect on PM through SE, whereas GP exhibited a significant indirect effect on PM through PV. These findings provide actionable insights for policymakers and disaster management practitioners, emphasizing the power of media and the need for comprehensive strategies that address both the psychological and practical aspects of flood disaster readiness in Jakarta and potentially other flood-prone regions.