Key issues on partial least squares (PLS) in operations management research: A guide to submissions

Purpose: This work aims to systematise the use of PLS as an analysis tool via a usage guide or recommendation for researchers to help them eliminate errors when using this tool. Design/methodology/approach: A recent literature review about PLS and discussion with experts in the methodology. Findings: This article considers the current situation of PLS after intense academic debate in recent years, and summarises recommendations to properly conduct and report a research work that uses this methodology in its analyses. We particularly focus on how to: choose the construct type; choose the estimation technique (PLS or CB-SEM); evaluate and report the measurement model; evaluate and report the structural model; analyse statistical power. Research limitations: It was impossible to cover some relevant aspects in considerable detail herein: presenting a guided example that respects all the report recommendations presented herein to act as a practical guide for authors; does the specification or evaluation of the measurement model differ when it deals with first-order or second-order constructs?; how are the outcomes of the constructs interpreted with the indicators being measured with nominal measurement levels?; is the Confirmatory Composite Analysis approach compatible with recent proposals about the Confirmatory Tetrad Analysis (CTA)? These themes will the object of later publications. Originality/value: We provide a check list of the information elements that must contain any article using PLS. Our intention is for the article to act as a guide for the researchers and possible authors who send works to the JIEM (Journal of Industrial and Engineering Management). This guide could be used by both editors and reviewers of JIEM, or other journals in this area, to evaluate and reduce the risk of bias (Losilla, Oliveras, Marin-Garcia & Vives, 2018) in works using PLS as an analysis procedure

A tale of PLS Structural Equation Modelling: Episode I- A Bibliometrix Citation Analysis

The structure of knowledge about Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) based on the Partial Least Squares (PLS) estimator has been analysed by systematic and reproducible bibliometric citation analysis. This contribution aims to create a dynamic picture of the PLS-SEM research activity to support scholars with an enhanced understanding of the history, the present and the future directions of this fascinating modelling approach. Analysis was conducted using the Bibliometrix packageR with documents extracted (n = 3,854) from the Web of Science (WoS) database by Clarivate. Hence, we find seminal papers in the context of PLS-SEM as well as the diffusion and use in different research domains, suggesting new directions of applications. We also identify the collaboration networks involving authors and countries to highlight the new potential for cooperation from a co-authorship and international project standpoint. Furthermore, the dynamics of the sources indicate the interest of journals in this field in a dissemination role, which can assist authors in selecting a suitable publisher. Finally, the historiographic overview shows the dominant topics and the possible evolution in the citation analysis from the theoretical and application angles

A tale of PLS Structural Equation Modelling: Episode I— A Bibliometrix Citation Analysis

The structure of knowledge about Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) based on the Partial Least Squares (PLS) estimator has been analysed by systematic and reproducible bibliometric citation analysis. This contribution aims to create a dynamic picture of the PLS-SEM research activity to support scholars with an enhanced understanding of the history, the present and the future directions of this fascinating modelling approach. Analysis was conducted using the Bibliometrix packageR with documents extracted (n = 3,854) from the Web of Science (WoS) database by Clarivate. Hence, we find seminal papers in the context of PLS-SEM as well as the diffusion and use in different research domains, suggesting new directions of applications. We also identify the collaboration networks involving authors and countries to highlight the new potential for cooperation from a co-authorship and international project standpoint. Furthermore, the dynamics of the sources indicate the interest of journals in this field in a dissemination role, which can assist authors in selecting a suitable publisher. Finally, the historiographic overview shows the dominant topics and the possible evolution in the citation analysis from the theoretical and application angles

Contemporary approaches to modelling the consumer

Modelling is an exciting area of consumer psychology, with application to many problems and contexts. We have covered the founding principles and objectives of the modelling process, which have remained largely unchanged over the course of time. What has changed are the constant innovations in methodologies (especially analyses) and software development that keep pushing the boundaries of modelling. These developments have given rise to some interesting opportunities to work in multidisciplinary teams (especially around exploiting big data in a meaningful way) and to the opening up of new and innovative areas of research in understanding the consumer

Partial least squares (PLS) in Operations Management research: Insights from a systematic literature review

[EN] Purpose: The present paper aims to analyze the Operations Management (OM) research between 2014 and 2018 that has made use of Partial Least Squares (PLS) to determine whether the trends shown in previous literature reviews focused on this topic are maintained and whether the analyzed papers comply with the recommendations for reporting Design/methodology/approach: A systematic literature review has been carried out of OM articles that use PLS as an analysis tool. A total of 102 references from 45 journals from 2014 to 2018, published in WOS and Scopus, has been analyzed. Bibliometric analysis and a review of the PLS reporting standards applied in the context of OM have been developed. Findings: PLS is gaining importance and is widely adopted in OM as a statistical analysis method of choice. In general, certain aspects of PLS are correctly applied and adequately reported in the publications. However, some shortcomings continue to be observed in terms of their application and the reporting of results. A detailed comparison has been developed between the current research and previous OM research (as well as previous research on other disciplines) on this topic. Research limitations/implications: OM researchers making use of PLS should be aware of the importance of correctly reasoning and justifying their choice and fully reporting the main parameters in order to provide other researchers with useful information and enable them to reproduce the performed analysis. Originality/value: This article builds a study with results based on a greater number of articles and journals than the two previous literature reviews focused on this topic. Therefore, it provides a richer and more up-to-date evaluation of trends in the use and reporting of PLS. Additionally, the present paper assesses whether the studies follow the indications suggested in recent years triggered by significant changes in the standards of reporting results obtained through the use of PLS.This study has been conducted within the frameworks of the following funded competitive projects: PID2019-105001GB-I00 (Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovacion, Spain); 1381039 (Programa Operativo Feder Andalucia 2014/2020, Junta de Andalucia) and PY20_01209 (PAIDI 2020, Junta de Andalucia).Bayonne, E.; Marin-Garcia, JA.; Alfalla-Luque, R. (2020). Partial least squares (PLS) in Operations Management research: Insights from a systematic literature review. Journal of Industrial Engineering and Management. 13(3):565-597. https://doi.org/10.3926/jiem.3416S56559713

The role of absorptive capacity and organizational unlearning in the link between social media and service dominant orientation

Purpose – This paper aims to study the relationship between the knowledge obtained in social networks by firms together with the firms’ knowledge absorptive capacity and organizational unlearning as influencers of service-dominant (S-D) orientation, as well as the mediating role of absorption capacity and organizational unlearning in this process. Design/methodology/approach – The sample amounts to 101 responding companies, obtained from the SABI database. The companies belong to the service sector in Spain and have at least 50 employees and 5 years or more of existence in the market. The model was estimated through partial least squares structural equation modeling with smartPLS software 3.2.6. Findings – The results show that the use of social media is very important for firms to acquire knowledge and capabilities that help them to become S-D oriented. In addition, absorptive capacity and unlearning processes are dynamic capabilities necessary to transform the knowledge acquired in social media and to become S-D oriented. Research limitations/implications – Companies’ managers draw conclusions that can generate great value, while better meeting the needs and desires of the market, the more knowledge is obtained. In addition, the use of the knowledge generated in this process will reduce the risk of sudden changes in the market. Practical implications – The more knowledge is gained using social networks, the better the companies’ managers will be able to draw conclusions that can generate great value, while at the same time better satisfying the needs and desires of the market, and thus create capacities that allow the company to be service-oriented. In addition, the use of these knowledge platforms strengthens the strategic advantage of companies through the promotion of innovation and by relating dynamic capabilities with the orientation toward sustainable development. As mentioned above, a process will be generated that will reduce the risk of sudden changes in the market. Originality/value – This is one of the few studies trying to study the antecedents of S-D orientation and the first to study the direct effect of social media use, and the direct and indirect effect of absorptive capacity and organizational unlearning on S-D orientation as dynamic capabilities.Foundation for Science and Technology UIDB/04630/202

Examining the teachers’ pedagogical knowledge and learning facilities towards teaching quality

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between teachers’ pedagogical knowledge, learning facilities and the teaching quality of teachers in the Ulul Albab Tahfiz Model (TMUA) schools in Malaysia. The data were collected using a set of questionnaires which probed on the respondents’ demographic information as well as on their pedagogical knowledge, learning facilities and teaching quality. The respondents comprised of 144 teachers from three schools involved in TMUA program. The data obtained were processed and analysed through the Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) using SmartPLS 3.0 software. The results show that there is a significant relationship between teachers’ pedagogical knowledge, educational facilities and the quality of teaching. The implication of this study is that teachers are aware of the importance of pedagogical knowledge in improving teaching quality when implementing the TMUA program

Protocol: How to deal with Partial Least Squares (PLS) research in Operations Management. A guide for sending papers to academic journals

This work protocol form part of a three-phase publication (Marin-Garcia, 2019). Its objective is to establish a work procedure to answer these questions: 1) in which journals have articles about Operations Management with Partial Least Squares (PLS) been published?; 2) Do the results of previous reviews on this topic still prevail based on the very limited set of journals that it have been conducted (and before substantial modifications were made to report methods of PLS-based studies)?; 3) Do recent articles fulfil report recommendations; 4) What kind of measurement model has been considered for the constructs most frequently used in the selected articles?; 5) What are the usual R2 values in the cross-sectional studies represented in the selected articles?; 6) Within what statistical power range do the relations analysed with PLS fall? The article summarises current recommendations to select the analysis procedures and to report the research works that have used structural equations with PLS. We believe that this is an excellent contribution for researchers because it helps to improve the analyses and reports that derive from using PLS to, thus, increase the probabilities of them being accepted in relevant journals. Another contribution made by the present work, apart from establishing the aforementioned protocol, is to provide a list of the recent articles about operations management that have used PLS and the coding procedure to conduct our systematic review (to be subsequently published).Este protocolo de trabajo se enmarca en el contexto de la publicación en tres fases (MarinGarcia, 2019). Tiene como objetivo establecer el procedimiento de trabajo para responder a las siguientes preguntas: 1) ¿en qué revistas han publicado entre 2014 y 2018 artículos de Dirección de Operaciones analizados con Partial Least Squares (PLS)?; 2) ¿Siguen vigentes los resultados de las revisiones anteriores sobre el tema, basadas en un conjunto muy limitado de revistas y realizadas antes de las modificaciones sustanciales en los métodos de reporte de estudios basados en PLS?; 3) ¿Cumplen los artículos recientes con las recomendaciones de reporte?; 4) ¿Qué tipo de modelo de medida se ha considerado para los constructos más frecuentes en los artículos seleccionados?; 5) ¿Qué valores de R2 son habituales en los estudios de campo transversales representados en los artículos seleccionados?; 6) ¿En qué rango de potencia estadística (statistical power) se han situado las relaciones analizadas con PLS? El artículo resume las recomendaciones actuales para seleccionar los procedimientos de análisis y hacer el reporte de las investigaciones que utilizan ecuaciones estructurales con PLS. Consideramos que ello supone una gran contribución para los investigadores, pues ayuda a mejorar los análisis y reportes derivados del empleo de PLS y, con ello, aumentar las probabilidades de aceptación en revistas relevantes. Otra contribución del presente trabajo, además de establecer el protocolo mencionado, es presentar una lista de los artículos recientes de Dirección de Operaciones que han usado PLS y el procedimiento de codificación para realizar nuestra revisión sistemática (que se publicará más adelante)

Influence of supervisor, self-efficacy, learning style and intention to transfer training effectiveness among universities in Saudi Arabia

The role of training for the improvement of employees' skills and knowledge has long been acknowledged. Employees who are exposed to effective training generally possess the technical knowledge, skills and attitudes to carry out their tasks. In Saudi Arabia, the government has been investing generously in training so as to enhance the employees‘ knowledge and skills. However, the present human capital, particularly in the tertiary institutions, falls way below expectations. The theoretical framework of this study was developed based on past research and the underpinning theory of planned behavior and social learning. This study examined the direct and indirect relationship between self-efficacy, learning style and supervisor support on intention to transfer training and training effectiveness among the managerial staff of the universities in Saudi Arabia. A total of 364 managerial staff representing six public universities in Saudi Arabia participated in the study by completing the survey questionnaire. The Partial Least Squares (PLS-SEM) approach was utilized to test the hypotheses. The results for the direct relationships between the independent variables (self-efficacy, learning style, supervisor support) and the dependent variable (training effectiveness) show that only learning style directly influences training effectiveness. At the same time, it was found that all the independent variables significantly influence the mediator, that is, intention to transfer training. Regarding the indirect relations between the independent variables and the dependent variable when the mediating variable was incorporated into the relationship, it was found that intention to transfer training partially mediated the relationship between learning style and training effectiveness but not self-efficacy and supervisor support. The theoretical contributions, policy implications, limitations of the study and suggestions for future research were discussed as well

Analysis of e-Government Services: A Study of the Adoption of Electronic Tax Filing in Indonesia

This study explores the impact of perceived usefulness, perceived ease-of-use, and perceived risks of using electronic tax filing (e-Filing) on the intention to use e-Filing through a technology acceptance model framework. The theoretical foundation used in this study is the technology acceptance model (TAM) on 201 valid questionnaires completed by Indonesian taxpayers. The data collected was analyzed by structural equation modelling using SmartPLS (3.0 Version). The results of the study revealed that e-Filing’s perceived usefulness and risk were significantly associated with intention to use, while perceived ease-of-use did not have a significant effect. Although the influence of perceived risks significantly mediated the influence of perceived usefulness, it did not significantly mediate the influence of ease-of-use. Gender was found to significantly moderate the influence of e-Filing’s perceived usefulness, but not to moderate the influence of perceived ease-of-use. Importance-Performance Matrix Analysis (IPMA) finds that the intention to use e-Filing is most strongly influenced by its perceived usefulness and perceived risk. This implies that policymakers must highlight the perceived usefulness and communicate the perceived risks of e-Filing to ensure taxpayers are willing to use the system. To the best of the author’s knowledge, this study is the first to examine both mediation and moderation to analyze the adoption of technology in Indonesia’s taxation system and offer a policy perspective through IPMA