Adamantios Diamantopoulos

Formative versus Reflective Indicators in Organizational Measure Development: A Comparison and Empirical Illustration

A comparison is undertaken between scale development and index construction procedures to trace the implications of adopting a reflective versus formative perspective when creating multi-item measures for organizational research. Focusing on export coordination as an illustrative construct of interest, the results show that the choice of measurement perspective impacts on the content, parsimony and criterion validity of the derived coordination measures. Implications for practising researchers seeking to develop multi-item measures of organizational constructs are considered.

Can socio-demographics still play a role in profiling green consumers? A review of the evidence and an empirical investigation

Abstract This paper explores whether socio-demographics still have a role to play in profiling green consumers. Following an interdisciplinary review of the literature, the second part of the paper attempts to address shortcomings identified in previous research. Specifically, hypotheses are developed concerning the relationship between six key socio-demographic variables and five valid and reliable measures of environmental consciousness. These hypotheses are subsequently tested on a large nationwide sample of British consumers and conclusions drawn on the utility of socio-demographic variables for profiling green consumers.

The link between green purchasing decisions and measures of environmental consciousness

A review of the literature suggests that traditional segmentation variables (socio‐demographics) and personality indicators are of limited use for characterizing the green consumer. Explores the extent to which variables, specific to environmental consciousness, are better able to explain consumers’ pro‐environmental purchasing behaviour. Two conceptualizations of the purchasing domain are addressed, namely general green purchasing behaviour and specific purchasing habits relating to five green product categories. Two data sets are used in the analysis, namely marketing students and members of the United Kingdom general public. Suggests that measures of environmental consciousness are closely linked to environmentally‐responsible purchasing behaviour, although the strength of the relationships varies according to sample type, the conceptualization of the purchasing domain and the particular product category at issue.

Domestic country bias, country-of-origin effects, and consumer ethnocentrism: A multidimensional unfolding approach

This study uses a multidimensional unfolding approach to examine the preference patterns of U.K. consumers for domestic products and those originating from specific foreign countries for eight product categories. Results indicate that the observed variability in preferences is linked to consumer ethnocentrism. However, the latters capability in explaining consumer bias in favor of domestic products is dependent both on the specific country of origin and the particular product category. Implications of the findings are considered and future research directions identified.

Linking market orientation and company performance: preliminary evidence on Kohli and Jaworski's framework

Marketing continues to provide a focus for empirical research; not only to define its nature and scope, but also its impact on an organizations performance. While there is little precise agreement regarding the definition and manifestation of marketing, the consensus view is that marketing emphasizes customers needs and their satisfaction. In a recent article, Kohli and Jaworski (1990) operationalize the marketing concept and put forward certain propositions that link elements of a market orientation, contextual factors and business performance. This paper examines a number of these propositions empirically, concluding that the market orientation — business performance relationship is situation-specific subject to various moderating influences.

Common Beliefs and Reality About PLS Comments on Rönkkö and Evermann (2013)

This article addresses Rönkkö and Evermann’s criticisms of the partial least squares (PLS) approach to structural equation modeling. We contend that the alleged shortcomings of PLS are not due to problems with the technique, but instead to three problems with Rönkkö and Evermann’s study: (a) the adherence to the common factor model, (b) a very limited simulation designs, and (c) overstretched generalizations of their findings. Whereas Rönkkö and Evermann claim to be dispelling myths about PLS, they have in reality created new myths that we, in turn, debunk. By examining their claims, our article contributes to reestablishing a constructive discussion of the PLS method and its properties. We show that PLS does offer advantages for exploratory research and that it is a viable estimator for composite factor models. This can pose an interesting alternative if the common factor model does not hold. Therefore, we can conclude that PLS should continue to be used as an important statistical tool for management and organizational research, as well as other social science disciplines.

Common Beliefs and Reality About PLS

This article addresses Rönkkö and Evermann’s criticisms of the partial least squares (PLS) approach to structural equation modeling. We contend that the alleged shortcomings of PLS are not due to problems with the technique, but instead to three problems with Rönkkö and Evermann’s study: (a) the adherence to the common factor model, (b) a very limited simulation designs, and (c) overstretched generalizations of their findings. Whereas Rönkkö and Evermann claim to be dispelling myths about PLS, they have in reality created new myths that we, in turn, debunk. By examining their claims, our article contributes to reestablishing a constructive discussion of the PLS method and its properties. We show that PLS does offer advantages for exploratory research and that it is a viable estimator for composite factor models. This can pose an interesting alternative if the common factor model does not hold. Therefore, we can conclude that PLS should continue to be used as an important statistical tool for management and organizational research, as well as other social science disciplines.

Narver and Slater, Kohli and Jaworski and the market orientation construct: integration and internationalization

Recent developments in marketing theory have resulted in two conceptualizations of the market orientation construct and preliminary evidence provides support for the often assumed relationship between market orientation and company performance. However, there is hardly any research regarding the potential consequences of market orientation for internationally active organizations. Current measures of the construct are biased towards domestic operations and do not explicitly consider factors specific to an international context. The present study proposes a framework integrating the two dominant conceptualizations of market orientation and introduces an international dimension to its study. The framework enables the specification of an expanded market orientation construct which, it is hoped, will be both valid and of practical use to organizations operating at an international level.

The error term in formative measurement models: interpretation and modeling implications

Purpose – To clarify the nature of the error term in formative measurement models, as it had been misinterpreted in prior research.Design/methodology/approach – The error term in formative measurement models is analytically contrasted with the measurement errors typically found in reflective measurement models.Findings – It is demonstrated that, unlike in reflective measurement, the error term in formative models is not measurement error but rather a disturbance representing non‐modeled causes. It is also shown that, under certain circumstances, the inclusion of an error term is not necessary/appropriate.Research limitations/implications – Focus is only on first‐order measurement models; higher‐order specifications are not considered.Originality/value – The paper helps researchers in their initial specification of formative measurement models as well as their evaluation of the subsequent model estimates, leading to better specifications for formative constructs.

Consumer animosity: a literature review and a reconsideration of its measurement

Purpose – Consumer animosity has gained considerable attention in international marketing literature as a determinant of foreign product purchase behaviour. The purpose of this paper is two‐fold: first, a state‐of‐the‐art review of consumer animosity research is presented and specific issues for future research on consumer animosity are raised. Second, potential problems associated with the measurement of consumer animosity are highlighted and an alternative perspective for operationalizing the construct is proposed.Design/methodology/approach – First, a critical literature review on empirical consumer animosity studies is undertaken. Second, exploratory empirical results are presented, based on unprompted questioning, to identify both targets of animosity by Austrian consumers and underlying reasons for such animosity. Third, a MIMIC model overcoming the shortcomings of the current operationalizations of the consumer animosity construct is proposed.Findings – The exploratory study on Austrian consumers d...