José L. Roldán

Web acceptance and usage model: A comparison between goal‐directed and experiential web users

Purpose – To analyse the web acceptance and usage between goal‐directed users and experiential users, incorporating intrinsic motives to improve the particular and explanatory TAM (technology acceptance model) value – traditionally related to extrinsic motives.Design/methodology/approach – A survey instrument was used to gather data to test the relationships shown in the research model. Data were collected from a sample of online questionnaires filled out by subscribers located in three discussion‐mailing lists – administered by RedIris – about different topics (e.g. experimental sciences, social sciences and humanities). A structural equation modeling (SEM), specifically partial least squares (PLS), is proposed to assess the relationships between the constructs together with the predictive power of the research model.Findings – The empirical development suggests that there is scope for further extension of TAM to adapt to the web‐based usage and its profitable consequences. The article may help to furthe...

Applying Maximum Likelihood and PLS on Different Sample Sizes: Studies on SERVQUAL Model and Employee Behavior Model

Structural equation modelling (SEM) has been increasingly utilized in marketing and management areas. This increasing deployment of SEM suggests that a comparison should be made of the different SEM approaches. This would help researchers choose the SEM approach that is most appropriate for their studies. After a brief review of the SEM theoretical background, this study analyzes two models with different sample sizes by applying two different SEM techniques to the same set of data. The two SEM techniques compared are: Covariance-based SEM (CBSEM) – specifically, maximum likelihood (ML) estimation – and Partial Least Squares (PLS). After presenting the study findings, the paper provides insights regarding when researchers should analyze models with CBSEM and when with PLS. Finally, practical suggestions concerning PLS use are presented and we discuss whether researcher considered these.

Relationships between the EFQM model criteria: a study in Spanish universities

Abstract In the literature on quality management it is necessary to undertake empirical studies that go further into the knowledge and understanding of the relationships between the key implementation factors and the results. This work falls within that context and its reference is the EFQM Excellence Model and the field of higher education. The structural equations method is used and, more specifically, the Partial Least Squares (PLS) technique. The results from the analysis of the measurement and structural model support the reliability and validity of the European Excellence Model as a reference framework for the implementation, evaluation and improvement of quality in the area of higher education. The need to consider the agents together as the determinants of the results is also revealed, as well as there being an internal logic that connects the models results. Moreover, the analysis has allowed us to conduct an in-depth study of the causal structure of the EFQM Model. An understanding of this structure may allow centres of higher education to direct their management towards the achievement of excellent results.

Mediation Analysis in Partial Least Squares Path Modeling: Helping Researchers Discuss More Sophisticated Models

Indirect or mediated effects constitute a type of relationship between constructs that often occurs in partial least squares (PLS) path modeling. Over the past few years, the methods for testing mediation have become more sophisticated. However, many researchers continue to use outdated methods to test mediating effects in PLS, which can lead to erroneous results. One reason for the use of outdated methods or even the lack of their use altogether is that no systematic tutorials on PLS exist that draw on the newest statistical findings. The paper aims to discuss these issues.,This study illustrates the state-of-the-art use of mediation analysis in the context of PLS-structural equation modeling (SEM).,This study facilitates the adoption of modern procedures in PLS-SEM by challenging the conventional approach to mediation analysis and providing more accurate alternatives. In addition, the authors propose a decision tree and classification of mediation effects.,The recommended approach offers a wide range of testing options (e.g. multiple mediators) that go beyond simple mediation analysis alternatives, helping researchers discuss their studies in a more accurate way.

Using enablers of the EFQM model to manage institutions of higher education

– To analyse the implicit relationships among enabler agents of the European excellence model to serve as a framework for the management and improvement of the quality in higher education institutions., – The hypotheses set out are based on the structure and meaning of the EFQM model and a review of the TQM literature. The empirical study was developed in 111 Spanish public university centres, and used the partial least squares (PLS) technique to test these hypotheses., – The results achieved support the relationships hypothesized and indicate the role of enabler agents as a basis for establishing a management model that leads universities towards excellence., – The main limitation is related to the notion of causality. Our study has considered a soft modelling approach directed more towards prediction than causality., – The role of senior management stands out among the key activities. The top management leads the excellence development of key processes in the university through appropriate leadership, strategy formulation, establishment of partnerships, resource allocation, and human resources management., – The current work is one of the first studies dealing with the testing of implicit relationships set out by the EFQM model among enablers. The comprehension of these relationships provides a guide to implement, develop, assess and improve higher education institutions.

From Entrepreneurial Orientation and Learning Orientation to Business Performance: Analysing the Mediating Role of Organizational Learning and the Moderating Effects of Organizational Size

Following the organizational learning theory and the knowledge-based view approach, this contribution aims to study the influence of entrepreneurial orientation and learning orientation on organizational learning, considering the latter as a mediating variable in the relationships between both antecedent cultural values and business performance. We also analyse the moderating role of organizational size on these previous relationships. The hypotheses proposed in our research model are tested on a sample of 140 Spanish industrial companies, applying variance-based structural equation modelling: partial least squares. In order to assess the moderating effects of organizational size, we adopt a multi-group approach using two subsamples with large firms and small and mediumsized enterprises (SMEs). Our findings indicate that organizational learning partially mediates the relationship between entrepreneurial orientation and performance and fully mediates the link between learning orientation and performance. Likewise, the results reveal that the relationship established between entrepreneurial orientation and organizational learning is more intense for the group of large firms than for the group of SMEs. Moreover, the influence of learning orientation on organizational learning is greater in SMEs than in large firms.

The employee-customer relationship quality: antecedents and consequences in the hotel industry.

Purpose – In the highly competitive hotel industry, it is essential to encourage patterns of continuous repurchase and to retain customers. This may be achieved through the quality of the relationship established with them. The aim of the paper is to test a model of the antecedents and consequences of the quality of the employee‐customer relationship.Design/methodology/approach – Partial least squares (PLS) was used to assess the reliability/validity of the measures and make a causal‐predictive analysis.Findings – The results of the study are useful both for academics and practitioners: they add support for the proposed model and increase its potential for generalisation; results suggest a wide range of measures that hotel managers could undertake to develop and maintain employee‐customer relationship quality.Research limitations/implications – Future studies should test the model at different times, during other important events in the city and, of course, in other geographical areas. Also new variables ...

Expressive aesthetics to ease perceived community support: Exploring personal innovativeness and routinised behaviour as moderators in Tuenti

The aim of this study is to investigate moderating effects of personal innovativeness and routinised behaviour on relationships between expressive aesthetics and perceived community support (PCS) in the domain of the social network site Tuenti. Our research, therefore, contributes to the existing literature by examining the heterogeneous influence of affective cues on the sense of belongingness to a community, and emotional benefits from intense bonds to close members. A structural equation modeling, specifically partial least square (PLS), is proposed to assess the relationships between the constructs together with the predictive power of the model analysed. In particular, the research model is validated empirically using data from a field survey of the most popular computer-mediated SNS among the Spanish college student population, Tuenti. The results demonstrate that expressive aesthetics significantly predicts PCS. Likewise, the results provide strong support for the proposals that these effects (i.e., expressive aesthetics on PCS) will be moderated by personal innovativeness and routinised behaviour. The model and results can, consequently, be used to assess affective design aspects during the electronic interaction process.

A structural model of the antecedents to entrepreneurial capacity

Much research has highlighted the influence of certain factors of the environment on entrepreneurship.  This article proposes a structural model that relates three of these environmental variables to entrepreneurial capacity.  These are entrepreneurial education and training, research and development transfer and cultural and social norms. These relationships were tested via empirical analysis of a sample of 380 Spanish experts, applying the Partial Least Squares (PLS) technique. The findings allow confirmation of the outstanding role of cultural and social norms in entrepreneurial capacity. Entrepreneurial education and training is not a significant antecedent variable of entrepreneurial capacity:  rather it is an indirect enabler via cultural and social norms. Finally, research and development transfer exerts a significant positive influence on entrepreneurial capacity.  This article also represents a pioneering methodological contribution to the study of the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor data. These data were analysed by applying structural equation modelling according to the PLS technique.

Mediation Analyses in Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling, Helping Researchers Discuss More Sophisticated Models: An Abstract

Indirect or mediated effects constitute a type of relationship between constructs that often occurs in partial least squares structural equation models (PLS-SEM). Over the past few years, the methods for testing mediation have become more sophisticated. However, many researchers continue to use outdated methods to test mediation effects in PLS-SEM, which can lead to erroneous results. One reason for the use of outdated methods or even ignoring it is that no systematic tutorials on PLS-SEM exist that draw on the newest statistical findings. This study illustrates the state-of-the-art use of mediation analysis in the context of PLS-SEM. It facilitates the adoption of modern procedures in PLS-SEM by challenging the conventional approach to mediation analysis and providing alternatives that are more accurate. In addition, we propose a decision tree and classification of mediation effects. Our recommended approach offers a wide range of testing options that go beyond simple mediation analysis alternatives, helping researchers discuss their studies in a more accurate way.