Essentials of Structural Equation Modeling

Structural Equation Modeling is a statistical method increasingly used in scientific studies in the fields of Social Sciences. It is currently a preferred analysis method, especially in doctoral dissertations and academic researches. However, since many universities do not include this method in the curriculum of undergraduate and graduate courses, students and scholars try to solve the problems they encounter by using various books and internet resources. This book aims to guide the researcher who wants to use this method in a way that is free from math expressions. It teaches the steps of a research program using structured equality modeling practically. For students writing theses and scholars preparing academic articles, this book aims to analyze systematically the methodology of scientific studies conducted using structural equation modeling methods in the social sciences. This book is prepared in as simple language as possible so as to convey basic information. It consists of two parts: the first gives basic concepts of structural equation modeling, and the second gives examples of applications.https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/zeabook/1064/thumbnail.jp

A Brand-New Definition of Management under the Rule of Robots

Do you want your fate to be determined by a person who moves with the feeling, probably makes irrational decisions or is self-interested; or by an artificial intelligence that will always give priority to the common interests of the stakeholders in their decisions? The artificial intelligence applications developed to manifest human-like behaviours are expected to reach above the human level. It is only a matter of time. Therefore, the definition of management will eventually evolve. This paper discusses and suggests the elements that are required to be included in the new definition of management. Since the definition of future management is a challenging and disputed task, this paper aims to pave the way for a perfect definition of management that belongs to the age of artificial intelligence. As a result, in the perspective of evolution of human consciousness and emergence of management, and also considering the continuation of the evolution in inorganic domain, a new definition of management was suggested

The Role of International Trade in the Development of the Countries

Our study aims to investigate the impact of foreign trade on economic growth and welfare of a country, using foreign trade volume and its coverage (i.e. export versus import) ratio representing foreign trade while gross domestic product per capita and purchasing power parity represent economic growth and welfare. Knowing that foreign trade boosts the whole economy, gross domestic product (GDP) per capita is a good indicator of an economic output but does not reflect the differences in the cost of living of countries. The challenge in this study is to develop more complementary indicators that can help bridge the gap between GDP per capita and economic well-being. Purchasing power parity (PPP) compares different countries’ economic output using a standardized metric based on a common basket of goods and services. Using PPP exchange rates in addition to a country's gross domestic product (GDP) may help to provide a more detailed picture of a country's economic health. Multiple regression analysis was utilised to test the hypotheses of this study. Secondary data was used in this study. The analyses were performed with SPSS. As a result of the data analyses and tests of hypotheses conducted in this study, it has been empirically proven that foreign trade volume and export/import coverage ratio have positive impact on gross domestic product per capita which has a significant impact on purchasing power parity

Effects of COVID-19 on China and the World Economy: Birth Pains of the Post-Digital Ecosystem

Especially with the emergence of the digital economy in the last two decades, unprecedented changes in technology have come to the fore. Technology-induced unemployment has spread all over the world because developments in digitalization and automation reduced the need for human in all business lines. Digital economy has also shown its effects as changes in the lifestyles. Therefore, it called new ecosocial system. However, beyond the new ecosocial system, humanity awaits a new system as post-digital ecosystem. Most probably this transition would occur in an agonizing way. In the post-digital ecosystem, production methods are changing radically, and thus, due to the recent advancements in artificial intelligence technology, machines increasingly take over the jobs of humans. The steady upward trend in unemployment has made economic inequality a chronic problem in the society. The pandemic has the role of a catalyst that accelerates the emergence of the destructive effects of digital economy and augments these effects. After the pandemic, the post-digital ecosystem will rise from the ruins of the collapsing capitalist system. The purpose of this article is to attract attention to the future economic problems within the context of the pandemic

The Mediator Role of Starting New Business in the Relationship between Logistics Performance and Growth

Economic growth refers to the enchancement in per capita income or purchasing power and this process of development. The main feature of economic growth is that continues progress by emergence of new source of growth when necessary. In addition to changes in the sources of economic growth, the indicators that explain economic growth are also changing. Recent recearches show that Gross Domestic Product ( GDP) per capita is accepted as one of the main indicators of growth. Logistics Performance Index (LPI) which has a direct and indirect impact on economic growth, is a World Bank indicator that examines a country’s logistics performance in six sub-dimension. In order to indicate the importance of economic growth and logistics performance, this study investigates the mediator role of starting new business in the relationship between logistics performance and gross domestic product per capita. The aim of the research is to analyze 76 countries based on the data of 2010-2012-2014-2016-2018 according to the data available at the World Bank.  As a result of analyses, the mediation effect of starting new business on the relationship between logistics performance was not established. Even if no starting new business, the improvement in logistics investments directly affects economic growth. Even with existing logistics investments, it contributes to economic growth by increasing efficiency, increasing the capacity and cost of existing companies. In this case, starting new business does not have an mediator role. Keywords:         Logistics Performance Index, Score-Starting a Business, GDP per capita

The Effects of Export Import Coverage Ratio on Economy

In this research, a conceptual model was tested in order to clarify the relationship between the foreign trade balance and economic growth. Therefore the main purpose of the research is to examine the effect of the ratio of exports to imports on economic growth. Reliability-tested secondary data prepared by international institutions were used for per capita GDP values and the ratio of countries' exports to imports. Regression analysis was performed using the mentioned data using the SPSS computer program.  The per capita GDP values of 126 countries for the years 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018 and the ratio of the countries' exports to their imports were used in the study. By performing regression analysis, it was concluded that there is a statistically significant relationship between GDP values and the export- import coverage ratio values of the countries

The Role of International Trade in the Development of the Countries

Our study aims to investigate the impact of foreign trade on economic growth and welfare of a country, using foreign trade volume and its coverage (i.e. export versus import) ratio representing foreign trade while gross domestic product per capita and purchasing power parity represent economic growth and welfare. Knowing that foreign trade boosts the whole economy, gross domestic product (GDP) per capita is a good indicator of an economic output but does not reflect the differences in the cost of living of countries. The challenge in this study is to develop more complementary indicators that can help bridge the gap between GDP per capita and economic well-being. Purchasing power parity (PPP) compares different countries’ economic output using a standardized metric based on a common basket of goods and services. Using PPP exchange rates in addition to a country's gross domestic product (GDP) may help to provide a more detailed picture of a country's economic health. Multiple regression analysis was utilised to test the hypotheses of this study. Secondary data was used in this study. The analyses were performed with SPSS. As a result of the data analyses and tests of hypotheses conducted in this study, it has been empirically proven that foreign trade volume and export/import coverage ratio have positive impact on gross domestic product per capita which has a significant impact on purchasing power parity

The Effect of Supply Chain Risk Management on Logistics Performance and Innovation Performance

Purpose of the Study: The main objective of this paper is to describe the multidimensionality of supply chain risk and evaluate supply chain risk management in association with logistics performance and innovation performance.   Theoretical framework: No study was found that analyzes the impact of supply chain risk management on logistics performance and innovation performance in the literature review. The purpose of this study is to close this gap in the existing literature.   Design/methodology/approach: This study leverages a data set of 30 medium-sized technology firms in Turkey. The first part of the analysis aims at finding determinants of supply chain risk management, and the second part is the analysis of supply chain risk management, innovation performance, and logistics performance. Structural equation modeling multivariate statistical technique is chosen.   Findings: Consequently, it empirically proves that risk mitigation and risk control affect positively innovation performance. It concludes that only risk control is effective in increasing logistics performance. Moreover, it estimates that risk identification and risk assessment will have a significant regulatory effect on performance. However, this study explains that they don't have a positive effect on the results.   Research, Practical & Social implications: Research gaps and opportunities are presented to lead further studies about supply chain risks in different sectors. This paper is hopefully purposed to contribute to sector representatives as a guide.   Originality/value: This study contributes to our understanding of how and with whom to collaborate by highlighting the relationships among supply chain risk management, innovation performance, and logistics performance

The Mediator Role of Global Competitiveness in the Relationship between High Technology Export and Coverage Ratio

Global Competitiveness Index, high technology exports and coverage ratio variables were used in the study. The effects of high technology exports on the Global Competitiveness Index and coverage ratio, and the effects of the Global Competitiveness Index on the coverage ratio were analysed. Positive effects of the analyses were observed. It is also assumed that the coverage ratio is one of the most important criteria of foreign trade performance. In the study, it is seen that the Global Competitiveness Index plays an intermediary role in the effect of technology exports on the coverage ratio. Therefore, the increase in the share of technology exports in total trade affects the coverage ratio through the partial effect of the Global Competitiveness level. Therefore, it is assumed that the technological infrastructure and competitiveness of countries will play a key role in improving foreign trade performance

The Effects of Organizational Support in Team Working on Creativity and Personal Initiative of Employees

Organizational support is one of the important dimensions of team working concept. The culture that will encourage employees to take the initiative and be creative requires top management support. The research question of this study is how organizational support exerts influence on take the initiative by team members and creativity of the employees. Therefore, this study aims to shed light on the relationship among organizational support, creativity and personal initiative. As a result of test of the hypotheses, positive and significant relationships between Organizational Support and Creativity and between Organizational Support and Personal Initiative have been supported. Managerial implications of these results are that if the employees feel the support of the management, they will be willing to take the initiative and they will unleash their creative potentials