Cherng G. Ding

Opening the black box

Purpose – To examine empirically the mediating role of relationship quality on the relationships between relational selling behavior, network quality, service recovery, and loyalty, and the moderating role of prior IT experience on the above relationships in ISP service.Design/methodology/approach – Data were obtained via questionnaires from randomly selected ADSL customers of Chunghwa Telecom. The constructs were measured using existing scales. SEM was used to examine the effects.Findings – Relational selling behavior, network quality, and service recovery indirectly influence loyalty through the mediation of relationship quality, consisting of satisfaction and trust. The effects of relational selling behavior on satisfaction and trust are stronger for inexperienced than for experienced customers. Those of network quality on satisfaction and trust are similar for both experienced and inexperienced customers. Those of service recovery on satisfaction and trust are stronger for experienced than for inexper...

Development of the sales locus of control scale

The sales locus of control scale (SLCS), composed of 12 items, was developed to measure the constructs of internal, chance and powerful others. A total of 1153 Taiwan insurance and industrial salespeople were used for development and evaluation of the scale. Construct validity, validities related to 29 criteria and reliabilities were all evaluated. Results indicated that reliabilities, the construct validity and most criterion-related validities are supported. Results also indicated that the criterion validities of the SLCS are generally better than those of locus of control scales developed by Rotter, Levenson and Spector. Moreover, situation-specific and multi-dimensional SLCS contains fewer items, and its validity is less attenuated by social desirability. The usefulness of the scale is also discussed.

Modeling Information Ethics: The Joint Moderating Role of Locus of Control and Job Insecurity

Information unethical behavior is concerned with ethical behavioural conflicts in the use of information, information technologies, and information systems (Kuo and Hsu, 2001). This study examines the combination of locus of control (LOC) and job insecurity (JI) as a joint moderator on the decision making process for information ethical behavioral intentions. A conceptual model is proposed to see the joint moderating role of LOC and JI. In the model, ethical behavioral intentions are influenced directly by ethical attitude, personal values, and perceived behavioural control. Simultaneously, personal values also indirectly influence ethical behavioral intentions through the mediation of ethical attitude. The causal relationships are moderated by the joint moderator. Notably, the moderating effects were simultaneously examined using data from undergraduates in the MIS department of a college. The influences of the ethical attitude and personal values on ethical behavioral intentions are found to be similar for those with external locus of control and insecurity perception (Confusionists) and those with internal locus of control and security perception (Controlists). Furthermore, the influences of personal values on ethical attitude, and of perceived behavioural control on ethical behavioral intentions, are both greater for Controlists than Confusionists. Implications of the empirical findings are discussed.

On the computation of the distribution of the square of the sample multiple correlation coefficient

Two computationally simple methods are proposed to evaluate the distribution function and the density of the square of the sample multiple correlation coefficient. No auxiliary routine is required. The accuracy of recursive computations can be effectively controlled. The distribution function and the density can be evaluated concurrently because their computing formulas are closely related. This property can enhance efficiency of Newtons method for computing the quantiles of the distribution. The corresponding algorithms are provided in a step-by-step form.

Ethical Ideology, Subjective Norm, and Peer Reporting Intentions Using an individual-situation Moderator

Peer reporting is a specific form of whistleblowing in which an individual discloses the unethical behavior of wrongdoing by a peer. This study examined peer reporting from the possible moderating aspect, and demonstrated a significant moderating impact on the causal relationships of ethical decision-making process. The findings of this investigation suggest that the intentions involved in reporting peer wrongdoing differs among individuals, and are influenced directly by ethical judgments, attitudes, and subjective norms, while also being influenced indirectly by idealism, relativism, and subjective norms. Besides, compared with externals under high peer pressures, internals under low peer pressures display a stronger relationship between ethical judgment and peer reporting intentions, and between the subjective norm and peer reporting intentions. Last, the relationship between attitudes and peer reporting intentions is similar for both internals under low peer pressures and externals under high peer pressures. Implications of this situation are discussed.

On the computation of the noncentral beta distribution

Two recurrence formulas for computing the noncentral beta distribution function and the density are proposed. The computations can be carried to any specified accuracy using the error bounds obtained. Corresponding algorithms are provided in a step-by-step form. A close relationship between the formulas allows joint evaluation of the distribution function and the density. The noncentral beta quantile can then be efficiently computed using Newtons method. Its algorithm is also given in a step-by-step form.

On the multivariate EGARCH model

In this aticle, the extension of Nelsons (1991) univariate EGARCH model to the multivariate version has been reexamined and compared with the existing one given by Koutmos and Booth (1995). The magnitude and sign of standardized innovations have been constrained in Koutmos and Booths multivariate EGARCH model, but not in the actual multivariate EGARCH model. The constraints imposed on Koutmos and Booths EGARCH model may lead to inaccurate parameter estimates. Since the actual multivariate EGARCH model obtained is more general, and can produce more accurate inferential results, we suggest that the actual multivariate EGARCH model be used in future financial empirical studies.

An ANOVA test for the equivalency of means under unequal variances

Abstract In this paper, we present a two-stage test procedure for testing the hypothesis that the normal means are falling into a practically indifferent zone. Both the level and the power associated with the proposed test are controllable and are completely independent of the unknown variances. Relation to a single-stage procedure is discussed when the two-stage sampling procedure cannot be completely carried through. An example and tables needed for implementation are given.

An efficient algorithm for computing quantiles of the noncentral chi-squared distribution

Abstract An efficient algorithm is provided for computing quantiles of the noncentral chi-squared distribution. Newton’s method, which requires the evaluations of both of the noncentral chi-squared distribution function and the density, is used. A close relationship between their recursive computing formulas is noted to allow concurrent evaluation of the distribution function and the density. Newton’s iterative computation can therefore be greatly speeded up. An example is given to illustrate the usefulness of the algorithm.

Using SAS PROC CALIS to fit Level-1 error covariance structures of latent growth models.

In the present article, we demonstrates the use of SAS PROC CALIS to fit various types of Level-1 error covariance structures of latent growth models (LGM). Advantages of the SEM approach, on which PROC CALIS is based, include the capabilities of modeling the change over time for latent constructs, measured by multiple indicators; embedding LGM into a larger latent variable model; incorporating measurement models for latent predictors; and better assessing model fit and the flexibility in specifying error covariance structures. The strength of PROC CALIS is always accompanied with technical coding work, which needs to be specifically addressed. We provide a tutorial on the SAS syntax for modeling the growth of a manifest variable and the growth of a latent construct, focusing the documentation on the specification of Level-1 error covariance structures. Illustrations are conducted with the data generated from two given latent growth models. The coding provided is helpful when the growth model has been well determined and the Level-1 error covariance structure is to be identified.