Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS SEM)'

Den mobila plånboken gör det möjligt att kunna utföra betalningar med hjälp av sin smarttelefon i butiker och har funnits tillgänglig i både Sverige och andra länder runt om i världen under en längre tid. Trots detta visar studier på att denna teknik inte har blivit accepterad av konsumenterna vilket även gör att butiker är motvilliga att investera i denna typ av teknik. Syftet med undersökningen som har genomförts i denna rapport är att delvis undersöka hur utbrett användningen av mobila plånböcker är bland studenter på Högskolan i Skövde, det huvudsakliga syftet är dock att identifiera de faktorer som påverkar konsumenternas acceptans och avsikt att använda mobila plånböcker. Att skaffa en förståelse till hur och varför en individ väljer att acceptera en ny teknik anses vara en av de viktigaste forskningsaspekterna inom informationssystem. Arbetet baseras på en undersökningsmodell som främst härstammar från UTAUT2 och där analysen av data utfördes med PLS-SEM. Resultatet från denna undersökning kan komma att hjälpa de parter och organisationer som är delaktiga i tillhandahållningen av tjänsten mobila plånböcker att identifiera vilka faktorer konsumenter anser vara viktigast för att påbörja användningen av mobila plånböcker och vad som leder till fortsatt användning. Resultatet av undersökningen visar bland annat på att upplevt värde och förväntad prestanda har störst effekt på avsikten att använda mobila plånböcker.

Students‟ motivational beliefs and self-regulatory practices have been identified as instrumental in influencing the engagement of students in the learning process. An important aim of science education is to empower students by nurturing the belief that they can succeed in science learning and to cultivate the adaptive learning strategies required to help to bring about that success. The lack of research on the influence of the learning environment on students‟ motivation and self-regulation provided the impetus for this research. The primary aim of this study was to investigate and identify salient psychosocial features of the classroom environment that influence students‟ motivation and self-regulation in science learning.The first imperative was the development and validation of an instrument to measure salient factors related to the motivation and self-regulation of students in lower secondary science classrooms. The development of the instrument involved identifying key determinants of students‟ motivation and self-regulation based on sound theoretical and research underpinnings. Once the instrument was developed, a pilot study involving 52 students from two grade 8 science classes was undertaken in addition to in-depth qualitative information gathered from 10 experienced science teachers and 12 grade 8 students. Quantitative data were collected from 1,360 students across grades 8, 9 and 10 in five public schools in Perth, Western Australia. Analyses of the data suggest that the survey has strong content, face, convergent, discriminant, concurrent and predictive validity when used with lower secondary students. Quantitative data, gathered from the same sample, established the convergent, discriminant, concurrent and predictive validity of the What Is Happening In this Class? (WIHIC) learning enviromnment instrument when used in lower secondary science classes.Partial Least Square (PLS) based Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) analysis of the data found that students‟ perceptions of investigation, task orientation and student cohesiveness were key determinants of students‟ motivation and self-regulation in science learning. The extent to which students‟ perceive the teacher to be supportive was strongly associated with their learning goal orientation and task value, whilst student involvement was a strong predictor of self-efficacy in science learning. The findings indicated that all three motivational constructs (learning goal orientation, task value and self-efficacy) were strong predictors of students‟ self-regulation in science learning. The most influential motivational belief on boys‟ and girls‟ self-regulation is self-efficacy followed by learning goal orientation. Although for boys the influence of task value was significant, for girls this construct appeared to have a limited impact on their self-regulation in science learning.The present study made distinctive contributions to the field of learning environment as well as to science education as it was the first study in within the field of learning environment research to examine the influence of psychosocial learning environment on both student motivation and self-regulation in the area of science learning. The methodological contribution is the use of a comprehensive and rigorous construct validity framework to develop and validate an instrument to measure students‟ motivation and self-regulation in science learning. The use of the PLS based SEM data analyses in the examination of the research model provided renewed rigor and depth to the interpretation of results. The practical implications presented possible opportunities for educators to plan, and to put into practice, effective pedagogical strategies aimed at increasing students‟ motivation and self-regulation in science learning. The results from the moderating role of gender could be utilised to design targeted intervention programmes that may differ in terms of orientation for girls and boys. The newly-developed survey could be practically valuable as an expedient tool for gathering information that may guide classroom teachers in refocusing their teaching practices and help to evaluate the effectiveness of intervention programmes. Although the focus of this research is on science learning, the findings probably could help educators to understand and improve student motivation and self-regulation in other subject areas.

In this research, it was mainly aimed to develop an acceptance model for processes, namely the process acceptance model (PAM). For this purpose, a questionnaire, comprising 3-part and 81-question, was developed to collect quantitative and qualitative data from people having relationships with certain process-focused models and/or standards (CMMI, ISO 15504, ISO 9001, ISO 27001, AQAP-160, AQAP-2110, and/or AS 9100). To revise and refine the questionnaire, expert reviews were ensured, and a pilot study was conducted with 60 usable responses. After reviews, refinements and piloting, the questionnaire was deployed to collect data and in-total 368 usable responses were collected from the people. Here, collected data were screened concerning incorrectly entered data, missing data, outliers and normality, and reliability and validity of the questionnaire were ensured. Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS SEM) was applied to develop the PAM. In this context, exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were applied, and the initial model was estimated and evaluated. The initial model was modified as required by PLS SEM, and confirmatory factor analysis was repeated, and the modified final model was estimated and evaluated. Consequently, the PAM, with 18 factors and their statistically significant relationships, was developed. Furthermore, descriptive statistics and t-tests were applied to discover some interesting, meaningful, and important points to be taken into account regarding the acceptance of processes. Moreover, collected quantitative data were analyzed, and three additional factors were discovered regarding the acceptance of processes. Besides, a checklist to test and/or promote the acceptance of processes was established.

over time firms may be looking beyond merely satisfying the regulatory requirements to realise the full benefits of IR. Furthermore, the study finds that among the three examined determinants of IR quality—political visibility, effective corporate governance and financial performance—on the JSE, political visibility is the best predictor. Also, the study finds evidence to support the assertion that IR affects sustainability. Moreover, IR quality is found to mediate the relationship between corporate governance, political visibility and sustainability performance. Hence, the argument that IR has abandoned sustainability cannot be substantiated. Although IR continues to evolve, the full potential of IR in the corporate reporting environment may not have been realised yet. Therefore, countries and capital market regulators that are considering mandating IR may find the evidence from this study useful in their considerations.

Lean management is becoming the standard for systematic productivity improvement, but the majority of implementations fail to sustain. Hence, the critical success factors for lean were the focus of this work. Literature review showed that the causality for lean success was not empirically developed beyond case study contextualisation. A multifaceted work was developed with contextualisation studies, survey of lean knowledge (758 responses), and a comprehensive case-study questionnaire (1253 responses from 44 countries). The statistical methods included exploratory factor analysis and path analysis by structural equation modelling (SEM). The first questionnaire revealed two different understandings of lean, and the second explored the underlying causality for lean success, including contingency for business size and product variety. Many contributions to the body of knowledge issued from this work. First of all, there was a methodological contribution, pioneering explorative structural modelling of full scope lean implementation. Second, SEMs of the lean knowledge-based view showed the profound positive effects of management knowledge on the primary factors for lean success. These factors were shown to be leadership and employee development. Third, the most beneficial lean methods were highlighted for specific scenarios. Fourth, the negligible and negative effects of a consultant-based approach to lean were uncovered. The results showed that the majority of consultants did not aid the long-term performance and sustainability of lean but significantly hindered it, except where masterful consultants acted as coaches. Fifth, a shortage of lean knowledge was observed in New Zealand; their participants averaged only half of what the USA�s did. Sixth, as culture has been emphasised in current literature, the present danger of overly focusing on it was discussed. Seventh was a conceptual contribution integrating lean and risk management, and a practical application with a risk analysis. This developed a risk matrix for the assessment and prioritisation of implementation components. Eighth, some adjustments to government lean strategies were proposed. And finally, the work integrated the findings in a tangible stage process model for implementation in SMEs. The dissemination of this knowledge has the potential to enhance productivity and commercial success of industries in New Zealand and abroad through successful lean implementations. Lean is not a weak methodology but it has been misunderstood and misapplied.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-03-15T19:26:30Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Anderson Luis Saber Campos.pdf: 1013366 bytes, checksum: 2e9d466c92f8d404ca44d38a91e676e8 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2007-09-11
Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior
From the theory on structure of capital and the application of structural equations a model was considered to evaluate the indebtedness of the public companies in Brazil. The effect of direct and indirect costs of bankruptcy, tax benefits, agency costs of free cash flow and the agency costs of borrowing. Computed the results, which was opted to analyzing an alternative model that indicates the relevance of the capital demand and offers effects in the level of companies indebtedness. One met evidences on the relevance of direct and indirect costs of bankruptcy and agency costs of borrowing in the determination of the capital structure in analyzed companies.
A partir da teoria sobre estrutura de capital e da aplicação de equações estruturais foi proposto um modelo para avaliar o endividamento das companhias abertas no Brasil. Foram considerados os efeitos das dificuldades financeiras, benefícios fiscais, agency de capital próprio e de capital de terceiros. Computado os resultados optou-se por analisar um modelo alternativo segundo o qual encontramos indícios e relevância dos efeitos da demanda e oferta de capital no nível de endividamento das empresas. Encontrou-se evidências que dificuldades financeiras e agency de capital de terceiros influem na determinação da estrutura de capital das empresas analisadas.

Information seeking and information avoidance are the mechanisms humans natural used for coping with uncertainties and adapting to environmental stressors. Uncertainties are rooted in knowledge gaps. In social sciences, the relationship between knowledge gaps and perceived risk have received little attention. A review of the information science literature suggests that few studies have been devoted to the investigation of the role of this relationship in motivating information-seeking behavior. As an effort to address the lack of theory building in the field of information science, this study attempts to construct a model of information seeking under risk (MISR) by examining the relationships among perceived risk, knowledge gap, fear arousal, risk propensity, personal relevance, and deprivation and interest curiosity as antecedents to motivation to seek information. An experimental approach and a scenario-based survey method are employed to design the study. Partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) analysis was conducted to test the relationships in the proposed model. Perceived risk was found to be a highly significant predictor of information seeking in moderately high-risk situations. Similarly, personal relevant has a significant negative effect on perceived risk and its interaction with knowledge gap motivates information seeking.

Empirischen Studien zufolge können Patente sich positiv auf den Unternehmenserfolg auswirken. Allerdings wirkt dieser Effekt nicht automatisch, sondern Unternehmen müssen sich um den Aufbau und die gesteuerte Weiterentwicklung eines nachhaltigen und wertvollen Patentportfolios bemühen. Bisher ist jedoch nicht wissenschaftlich untersucht worden, welche Maßnahmen Unternehmen ergreifen können, um die unternehmensinternen Vorraussetzungen für eine erfolgreiche Steuerung von Patentaktivitäten zu schaffen. Um diese betrieblichen Faktoren zu identifizieren und deren Relevanz zu quantifizieren, wurden 2005 in einer breiten empirischen Untersuchung die aktiven Patentanmelder im deutschsprachigen Raum (über 1.000 Unternehmen) mit Hilfe eines standardisierten Fragebogens befragt. Auf der Basis von 325 auswertbaren Fragebögen (Ausschöpfungsquote 36,8 %) konnten zum einen Ergebnisse zum aktuellen Aufgabenspektrum der Patentabteilungen sowie zu deren organisatorischen und personellen Strukturen gewonnen werden. Ebenfalls wurde in dieser Status quo-Analyse der Bekanntheits- und Implementierungsgrad von Methoden und Systemen (z. B. Patentbewertungsmethoden, Patent-IT-Systeme) beleuchtet. Zum anderen wurden die betrieblichen Faktoren herausgestellt, auf die technologieorientierte Unternehmen achten sollten, um das Fundament für eine erfolgreiche Patentsteuerung zu legen
Empirical studies have shown that patents can have a positive effect on corporate success. However, this effect does not occur by itself. Companies have to make an effort to create and to develop a sustainable patent portfolio. So far, no academic studies have investigated into which actions a company can take to establish the internal conditions for successful patent management. To identify and to quantify the relevance of these internal factors, a study was conducted using a standardized written questionnaire with more than 1,000 patent-oriented companies in the German-speaking countries (Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Liechtenstein). In total, 325 valid questionnaires were included in the analyses; this corresponds to an above-average response rate of 36.8 %. These analyses revealed insights into the current task profile of patent departments and their organizational and personnel structures. This status quo analysis also included the investigation into the awareness and implementation level of used methods and systems (e. g. patent evaluation methods, patent IT systems). Furthermore, the study could expose the internal determinants, which technology-oriented companies should focus on to ensure a successful patent management

O presente trabalho pretende entender a dinâmica do gerenciamento de projetos no IPEN. Para tal, decidiu-se pela pesquisa junto a literatura acadêmica de modelos que pudessem servir de base e que após modificações e ajustes pudessem refletir a realidade dos projetos de Institutos Públicos Pesquisa & Desenvolvimento. Após tratamento estatístico dos dados algumas hipóteses foram validadas e demonstraram sua influência positiva no desempenho do gerenciamento do projeto, tais como a influência das pessoas que compõem as equipes, o efeito da liderança, dentre outras. O modelo, inclusive mostrou-se válido para explicar quais fatores são relevantes para o sucesso dos projetos. Um das principais objetivos, foi exatamente o uso de modelo de avaliação de gestão projetos, que fossem passíveis de validação estatística, e não utilizar um dos disponíveis no mercado, tais como P3M3 e OPM3, para que houvesse um controle e confirmação estatística dos resultados. Outro objetivo foi utilizar um modelo cujas assertivas refletissem a natureza dos projetos de Pesquisa & Desenvolvimento gerenciados pelos pesquisadores do IPEN. Aliás, as referidas assertivas foram formuladas, e enviadas via pesquisa web, e respondidas por praticamente uma centena de profissionais do IPEN, envolvidos com projetos de P&D. A presente dissertação, acrescida das recomendações, ao final, tem como proposta servir de contribuição para os trabalhos desenvolvidos pelo Escritório de Projetos do IPEN. O modelo de avaliação, contido neste trabalho, pode ser aplicado em outras Instituições de P&D brasileiras, para que avaliem a forma e a maneira como gerenciam os seus respectivos projetos.
This paper aims to understand the dynamics involved in the project management at IPEN. To reach this goal, the method chosen was research along with academic literature of models that could serve as a base that after modifications and adjustments could reflect the reality of projects from the Public Institute of Research & Development. After undergoing statistical treatment of the data, some hypotheses were validated and showed positive influence on the project management performance, such as the influence of people who make up the teams, the leadership effect, among others. In fact, the model was found to be valid in explaining which factors are relevant for the success of the projects. One of the main goals was exactly the use of the project management evaluation model, submitted to statistical validation and not to use one available on the market, such as the P3M3 and OPM3, in order to assure the statistical control and confirmation of the results. Another goal was to use a model whose statements reflected the nature of the Research & Development project managed by researchers at IPEN. In fact, the aforementioned statements were formulated and sent via a web survey and answered by almost one hundred IPEN professionals who work on R&D projects. The following dissertation, along with the recommendations at the end, was included to serve as contribution to work developed by the IPEN Project Offices. The evaluation model included in this paper can be applied in other R&D organizations in Brazil, to evaluate the way their projects are managed.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-03-15T19:30:46Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Evelyn Seligmann Feitosa.pdf: 4150862 bytes, checksum: c2fb95c13060f06c44c6788bbbfd1fc6 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-11-10
Fundo Mackenzie de Pesquisa
The allocation of resources and the constant search for competitive advantages differentiators to reach best results are always business challenges. In the contemporary context, in order to achieve superior performance, it reinforces the company's need to have, and make good use, of scarce, valuable, non-substitutable and inimitable resources. These resources include brands, customer base, knowledge, ability and competence of the work teams, corporate culture, partnerships and operational processes established, among other intangible assets, usually arising from a long and risky development process. Mergers and acquisitions (M & A) arise, then, as an important strategic action, being an alternative means to obtain and accelerate the accumulation of these resources within the companies. That is the subject of this work, which discusses the importance of existing and intangible assets disclosed, previous to the M & A transactions, their classification into various types, measurement, and impact on the resulting firm's financial performance in long term. The overall objective of this thesis was to analyze how this performance, after a minimum period of 36 months of the event, is related to the existence, level of disclosure and the nature of intangible assets in the organizations involved. One hundred-eighteen (118) companies were investigated in fifty-nine (59) cases of M & A occurred in France between 1997 and 2007; the study reflects a multi-method research, pluralistic, on qualitative and quantitative aspects. Intangible assets disclosure indicators were built by applying the content analysis technique to financial and accounting reports provided by the companies prior to the events, as well as financial indicators (proxies) for the existence of intangibles were calculated. These indicators were initially confronted with each other and later their explanatory power in relation to financial ratios of growth and profitability (for the corporation and its shareholders), which are the analyzed dimensions of financial performance. Many methods for statistical analysis were used in the multivariate data analysis (correlations and factor analysis, multiple regressions) and in the structural equation modeling (SEM), via Partial Least Squares (PLS). A total of twelve models, with statistics significance, were established to express the relationship among the constructs examined. Best results were achieved in the models developed with variables of semantic origin, in detriment of those with financial indicators only. The results obtained in this thesis leads to deduce that, in this study, there are positive relationships between the existence and the disclosure of intangible assets by firms involved in the operations of M & A and subsequent financial performance, measured by the corporate profitability and the growth of the resulting organization. This suggests that the strategic choice for business growth via M & A operations is favorable to the accumulation of intangible assets in the firms, in search for better results.
A alocação de recursos e a constante busca por diferenciais competitivos, visando melhores resultados, são grandes desafios empresariais. No contexto contemporâneo, para obter desempenho superior, reforça-se a necessidade de a empresa dispor, e fazer bom uso, de recursos raros, valiosos, não-substituíveis e de difícil imitação. Dentre estes recursos, destacam-se aspectos como as marcas, a base de clientes, o conhecimento, a capacidade e competência das equipes de trabalho, a cultura corporativa, as parcerias e os processos operacionais estabelecidos, dentre outros ativos intangíveis, geralmente decorrentes de longos e arriscados processos de desenvolvimento. As fusões e aquisições (F&A) surgem, então, como movimentos estratégicos importantes, sendo meio alternativo para obter e acelerar a acumulação destes recursos nas empresas. É essa a temática deste trabalho, que discorre sobre a importância dos ativos intangíveis existentes e divulgados previamente às operações de F&A de empresas, sobre a classificação dos seus diversos tipos, a sua mensuração e o seu impacto sobre o desempenho financeiro da firma resultante, no longo prazo. O objetivo geral desta tese foi analisar como este desempenho, após prazo mínimo de 36 meses do evento, está relacionado à existência, ao nível de divulgação e à natureza dos ativos intangíveis das organizações envolvidas. Foram investigadas 118 empresas, em 59 casos de F&A ocorridos na França entre 1997 e 2007, em uma pesquisa multi-métodos, pluralística, nas vertentes qualitativa e quantitativa. Foram construídos indicadores de divulgação (disclosure) de ativos intangíveis, mediante aplicação da técnica de análise de conteúdos aos relatórios contábil-financeiros disponibilizados pelas empresas antes do evento, e calculados indicadores financeiros (proxies) para a existência de intangíveis. Estes indicadores foram inicialmente confrontados entre si e posteriormente quanto ao seu poder explicativo em relação aos índices financeiros de crescimento e de lucratividade (empresarial e para os acionistas), que são as dimensões analisadas do desempenho financeiro. Utilizaram-se métodos de análise estatística de dados multivariados (análises de correlações, fatoriais, regressões múltiplas) e modelagem em equações estruturais, via Partial Least Squares (SEM- PLS). Foram estabelecidos, no total, doze modelos com significância estatística para expressar o relacionamento entre os construtos examinados. Alcançaram-se melhores resultados nos modelos desenvolvidos com variáveis de origem semântica, em detrimento daqueles que utilizaram indicadores exclusivamente financeiros. Os resultados obtidos nesta tese permitiram deduzir que há relações positivas entre a existência e a divulgação de ativos intangíveis pelas firmas envolvidas nas operações de F&A estudadas e o posterior desempenho financeiro, mensurado pela lucratividade empresarial e pelo crescimento, da organização resultante. Isto sugere que a opção estratégica por crescimento empresarial via operações de F&A é favorável ao acúmulo de recursos intangíveis nas firmas, na busca por melhores resultados.

The ethical decision making (EDM) process of individuals has proven to be very challenging due to the multitude of complex and varied factors that contribute to this behaviour. Nevertheless, many theoretical frameworks have been proposed to describe such behaviour. Despite the increasing number of EDM models and practices, reports of unethical incidents and illegal behaviour, especially in organizations, continue to appear. This problem is in part related to the failure of EDM models that do not adequately explain the antecedent factors of ethical behaviour by individuals in organizations. As a result, there is a gap between theory and practice. Hence, the main objective of this study is to address these shortcomings by exploring and empirically examining the antecedents in the EDM process and by developing a behavioural model that encompasses a fully functional model of individual ethical behaviour.Furthermore, most of the major frameworks have been formulated from a Western perspective. The current research was conducted in the Malaysian context, using a model that accounts for cultural differences. The most generally accepted concept is that culture is a key determinant of an individual's ethical ideology, which affects an individual’s inclination to behave ethically. In other words, culture acts as a guideline in determining whether certain practices are appropriate and acceptable. However, individuals in organizations also have an obligation to comply the culture in their work setting. Therefore, the culture of ethical practices in an organization is expected to play an important role in the process of EDM. In addition, literature has established the moderating effect of gender, age and level of education in such behaviour. Therefore, the current research also further investigated the relationship among the components of the EDM process, which has thus far not been given proper attention.A two-phase sequential mixed-method approach, consisting of qualitative and quantitative approaches, was carried out in this research. In the qualitative part, a field study of semi-structured interviews was conducted with the objective of testing the applicability of the initial model besides exploring the dimensionality of the construct. The data was analyzed using content analysis through Nvivo software. Based on the analysis, the dimensionality of the constructs was identified and two more relevant antecedent factors were detected, namely parental values and religiosity. Thus, these two factors were added to the comprehensive research model. A survey was conducted among managers from Malaysia large organizations to collect quantitative data. The data was analyzed using a Partial Least Square (PLS) based Structural Equations Modelling (SEM) tool. In addition, multi-group analysis of PLS was also employed.The major findings of this research have confirmed the influence of ethical ideology as the major determinant of the EDM process. Furthermore, results have demonstrated the role of culture as the antecedent of an individual’s ethical ideology. Interestingly, the influence of parental values and religiosity, which was derived from the field study, was also confirmed. Findings also verified the moderating effect of the organizational ethical culture in enhancing a moral awareness of an individual’s EDM process. With regards to the relationship among the components of the EDM process, findings revealed sequential and interrelationship links between the components. On the other hand, the moderating effect of gender, age and level of education in the EDM process was not detected. Overall results confirm the multidimensional construct and the complexity of such a process. This research provides a significant contribution to the existing knowledge in the EDM area. Most importantly, an understanding of the antecedents and the processes of EDM provides guidelines for organizations in developing better ethical programs and policies in order to promote and encourage ethical behaviour. Perhaps a major contribution of this research is the implication for managers to enhance the process of EDM in organizations.

evaluate disruption risks in the supply chain of petroleum production. This methodology is developed to formalise and facilitate the systematic integration and implementation of various models; such as analytical hierarchy process (AHP) and partial least squares structural equation model (PLS-SEM) and various statistical tests. The methodology is validated with the case of Nigeria’s oil industry. The study revealed the need to provide a responsive approach to managing the influence of geopolitical risk factors affecting supply chain in the petroleum production industry. However, the exploration and production risk, and geopolitical risk were identified as concomitant risk factors that impact performance in Nigeria’s oil industry. The research findings show that behavioural-based mechanisms successfully predict the ability of the petroleum industry to manage supply chain risks. The significant implication for this study is that the current theoretical debate on the supply chain risk management creates the understanding of agency theory as a governing mechanism for supply chain risk in the Nigerian oil industry. The systematic approach results provide an insight and objective information for decisions-making in resolving disruption risk to the petroleum supply chain in Nigeria. Furthermore, this study highlights to stakeholders on how to develop supply chain risk management strategies for mitigating and building resilience in the supply chain in the Nigerian oil industry. The developed systematic method is associated with supply chain risk management and performance measure. The approach facilitates an effective way for the stakeholders to plan according to their risk mitigation strategies. This will consistently help the stakeholders to evaluate supply chain risk and respond to disruptions in supply chain. This capability will allow for efficient management of supply chain and provide the organization with quicker response to customer needs, continuity of supply, lower costs of operations and improve return on investment in the Nigeria oil industry. Therefore, the methodology applied provide a new way for implementing good practice for managing disruption risk in supply chain. Further, the systematic approach provides a simplistic modelling process for disruption risk evaluation for researchers and oil industry professionals. This approach would develop a holistic procedure for monitoring and controlling disruption risk in supply chains practices in Nigeria.

Professional Doctorate - Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)
Retailer marketing expenditure is significant, yet it is increasingly apparent that consumer decision-making is determined by factors beyond the direct influence of marketing campaigns. This study is focused on the development of a model of habitual grocery purchasing behavior and the identification of factors that influence nonconscious purchasing. To identify the drivers, symptoms of the behavior are measured directly. By basing the model on the Stimulus-Organism-Response framework and analysing data using partial least squares structural equation modelling, factors that influence habitual grocery purchasing behavior are identified. An importance performance analysis highlights particular factors controlled by the retailer, that if improved will increase engagement in habitual grocery purchasing behavior. As a result managerial insights are developed that are based on the driving factors of the nonconscious purchasing behavior.

Professional Doctorate - Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)
This study examines the performance implications of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) applying the dynamic capabilities view (Teece, Pisano and Shuen, 1997; Teece, 2007). It addresses the general question of whether differing financial performance among firms can be attributed to: 1. The firm’s operational CSR engagement capabilities. ; 2. The firm’s dynamic capabilities. ; 3. The moderating effect of competitive intensity (Wilden, Gudergan, Nielson and Lings, 2013) and stakeholder volatility concerning the effects of dynamic capabilities. ; 4. The moderating effect of strategic alignment, length of engagement and reputation concerning the effects of operational CSR capabilities. Data was collected from 94 senior managers from small, medium and large Australian firms. A model was analysed using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) drawing on the SmartPLS software V3.19 (Ringle, Wende and Becker, 2014). Findings suggest that dynamic capabilities do not have a direct effect on financial performance (Zott, 2003) but instead they operate through the mediating effect of the firm’s operational CSR capabilities thereby affecting firm performance. This study did not identify empirical support for the hypothesised moderating effects concerning the relationship between dynamic and operational CSR capabilities, or for those moderating the effect of operational CSR capabilities on corporate financial performance (CFP). The managerial implications from the research suggest that firms can use their CSR operational capabilities to generate increased financial performance as measured by increased net income and return on assets. Further, firms would benefit from developing dynamic capabilities – sensing, seizing and reconfiguring (Teece et al., 1997) which would assist the firm to maintain currency of their organisational CSR capabilities so that they continue to meet the needs of stakeholders.

Project Work presented as the partial requirement for obtaining a Master's degree in Statistics and Information Management, specialization in Marketing Research and CRM
Compreender os principais determinantes da adesão dos Serviços Integrados (STI) numa única fatura é importante para as operadoras de telecomunicações e para os consumidores. Para além disto, o conhecimento sobre o papel que a confiança e a perceção do risco de privacidade têm na adesão e uso desta tecnologia é limitado. De forma a preencher esta lacuna, formulou-se um modelo, onde se combinou o modelo teórico UTAUT II (unified theory of acceptance and use of technology II) com dois constructos: perceived privacy risks e trust beliefs. Para testar o modelo conceptual aplicou-se um questionário online a clientes detentores de serviços de telecomunicações e a todas as unidades orgânicas da Universidade Nova de Lisboa, tendo sido obtidas 338 respostas válidas. Os resultados demonstraram relações com o modelo UTAUT II, no que diz respeito às variáveis effort expectancy e habit, e referiram a variável trust beliefs como um forte preditor da adesão e uso de Serviços Integrados numa única fatura. Contudo, o fator mais importante para explicar o uso desta tecnologia foi behavioral intention. No capítulo 6, são fornecidas sugestões em termos práticos para as partes interessadas na tecnologia de Serviços de Telecomunicações Integrados numa única fatura, nomeadamente no que diz respeito à melhoria do marketing e, em termos teóricos, sugerindo sugerindo variáveis, consideradas relevantes, para serem estudadas em pesquisas futuras neste campo emergente.

A evolução da internet exponenciou, como demonstrado por vários estudos, a capacidade de influência das comunicações interpessoais sobre produtos ou serviços na intenção de compra dos consumidores. Entre outras plataformas, os websites de redes sociais apresentam-se como possíveis meios ideais para o eWOM, nomeadamente devido à popularidade destes e ausência de anonimato dos utilizadores. Para estudo e compreensão desta realidade, nesta investigação trata-se em particular do website de rede social mais popular, o Facebook. É feita uma análise ao nível individual com o objetivo de identificar os determinantes do eWOM transmitido pela lista de contactos no Facebook que influenciam a intenção de compra dos consumidores portugueses. Foi aplicado o Information Acceptance Model (IACM), que consiste em características da informação e o comportamento do consumidor em relação à informação, tendo este sido estendido para incluir características do emissor. A informação recolhida através de um questionário online a 294 usuários do Facebook foi analisada com recurso à técnica de modelação de equações estruturais baseada no método dos mínimos quadrados parciais (PLS-SEM). Os resultados revelam que o comportamento do consumidor em relação à informação (necessidades de informação e atitude em relação à informação) tem maior influência na intenção de compra comparativamente às características da informação e da fonte. A qualidade da informação não demonstra efeito sobre a intenção de compra. Adicionalmente, a credibilidade da informação medeia totalmente o efeito da qualidade de informação e credibilidade da fonte na perceção de utilidade da mesma.
The internet’s evolution has exponentiated, as demonstrated in various studies, the capacity of information shared via eWOM to influence consumers’ purchase intention. Among other platforms, social networking websites present themselves as possible ideal means for eWOM, namely due to their popularity and absence of anonymity among users. For the study and understanding of this reality, this investigation addresses in particular the most popular social networking website, Facebook. An analysis is done at the individual level so as to identify the determinants of eWOM transmitted by the contact list on Facebook that influence Portuguese consumers’ purchase intention. The Information Acceptance Model (IACM), which consists of characteristics of information and consumers’ behavior towards information, was applied and extended in order to include the sender’s characteristics. The information from 294 Facebook users through an online questionnaire was analyzed through the partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) technique. The results show that consumers’ behavior towards information (needs of information and attitude towards information) has a greater influence on purchase intention compared to the characteristics of the information and the source. Quality of information showed no effect on purchase intention. Additionally, the credibility of information totally mediates the effect of quality of information and source credibility on the perception of information usefulness.

Structural equation modeling (SEM) has been used and developed for decades across various domains and research fields such as, among others, psychology, sociology, and business research. Although no unique definition exists, SEM is best understood as the entirety of a set of related theories, mathematical models, methods, algorithms, and terminologies related to analyzing the relationships between theoretical entities -- so-called concepts --, their statistical representations -- referred to as constructs --, and observables -- usually called indicators, items or manifest variables. This thesis is concerned with aspects of a particular strain of research within SEM -- namely, composite-based SEM. Composite-based SEM is defined as SEM involving linear compounds, i.e., linear combinations of observables when estimating parameters of interest. The content of the thesis is based on a working paper (Chapter 2), a published refereed journal article (Chapter 3), a working paper that is, at the time of submission of this thesis, under review for publication (Chapter 4), and a steadily growing documentation that I am writing for the R package cSEM (Chapter 5). The cSEM package -- written by myself and my former colleague at the University of Wuerzburg, Florian Schuberth -- provides functions to estimate, analyze, assess, and test nonlinear, hierarchical and multigroup structural equation models using composite-based approaches and procedures. In Chapter 1, I briefly discuss some of the key SEM terminology. Chapter 2 is based on a working paper to be submitted to the Journal of Business Research titled “Assessing overall model fit of composite models in structural equation modeling”. The article is concerned with the topic of overall model fit assessment of the composite model. Three main contributions to the literature are made. First, we discuss the concept of model fit in SEM in general and composite-based SEM in particular. Second, we review common fit indices and explain if and how they can be applied to assess composite models. Third, we show that, if used for overall model fit assessment, the root mean square outer residual covariance (RMS_theta) is identical to another well-known index called the standardized root mean square residual (SRMR). Chapter 3 is based on a journal article published in Internet Research called “Measurement error correlation within blocks of indicators in consistent partial least squares: Issues and remedies”. The article enhances consistent partial least squares (PLSc) to yield consistent parameter estimates for population models whose indicator blocks contain a subset of correlated measurement errors. This is achieved by modifying the correction for attenuation as originally applied by PLSc to include a priori assumptions on the structure of the measurement error correlations within blocks of indicators. To assess the efficacy of the modification, a Monte Carlo simulation is conducted. The paper is joint work with Florian Schuberth and Theo Dijkstra. Chapter 4 is based on a journal article under review for publication in Industrial Management & Data Systems called “Estimating and testing second-order constructs using PLS-PM: the case of composites of composites”. The purpose of this article is threefold: (i) evaluate and compare common approaches to estimate models containing second-order constructs modeled as composites of composites, (ii) provide and statistically assess a two-step testing procedure to test the overall model fit of such models, and (iii) formulate recommendation for practitioners based on our findings. Moreover, a Monte Carlo simulation to compare the approaches in terms of Fisher consistency, estimated bias, and RMSE is conducted. The paper is joint work with Florian Schuberth and Jörg Henseler
Strukturgleichungsmodellierung (SEM) wird seit Jahrzehnten in verschiedenen Bereichen und Forschungsgebieten wie zum Beispiel der Psychologie, der Soziologie und den Wirtschaftswissenschaften verwendet und weiterentwickelt. SEM umfasst dabei die Gesamtheit einer Reihe verwandter Theorien, mathematischer Modelle, Methoden, Algorithmen und Terminologien im Zusammenhang mit der Analyse der Beziehungen zwischen theoretischen Entitäten - so genannten Konzepten -, ihrer statistischen Repräsentation - als Konstrukte bezeichnet - und Beobachtungsgrößen - üblicherweise Indikatoren, Items oder manifeste Variablen genannt. Diese Arbeit befasst sich mit Aspekten eines bestimmten Forschungszweigs innerhalb der SEM, den Komposit-basierten SEM Verfahren. Komposit-basiertes SEM ist ein Überbegriff für alle SEM Methoden, die Kompositen - d.h. gewichtete Linearkombinationen aus Beobachtungen - zur Schätzung unbekannter Größen verwenden. Der Inhalt der Arbeit basiert auf einem Arbeitspapier (Kapitel 2), einem veröffentlichten referierten Zeitschriftenartikel (Kapitel 3), einem weiteren Arbeitspapier (Kapitel 4) und einer stetig wachsenden Dokumentation, die ich für das R-Paket cSEM geschrieben habe, bzw. kontinuierlich weiterschreibe (Kapitel 5). Das Paket cSEM - geschrieben von mir und Florian Schuberth, meinem ehemaligen Kollegen an der Universität Würzburg - stellt Funktionen zur Verfügung, um lineare, nichtlineare, hierarchische und Multigruppen-Strukturgleichungsmodelle mit Hilfe von Komposit-basierten Ansätzen und Verfahren zu schätzen, zu analysieren, zu bewerten, zu testen und zu untersuchen. In Kapitel 1 gehe ich zunächst kurz auf einige der wichtigsten SEM Begriffe ein. Kapitel 2 basiert auf einem Arbeitspapier mit dem Titel „Assessing overall model fit of composite models in structural equation modeling“, das im Journal of Business Research eingereicht werden wird. Der Artikel befasst sich mit dem Thema der Bewertung der Gesamtgüte des Modells (eng. overall model fit) im Kontext des Komposit-Modells. Das Papier leistet drei zentrale Beiträge zur Literatur zu diesem Thema. Erstens wird das Konzept der Modellgüte in der SEM im Allgemeinen und der Komposit-basierten SEM im Besonderen eingehend erörtert. Zweitens wird auf gängige Fit-Indizes eingegangen und erläutert, ob und wie sie zur Beurteilung eines Komposit-Modells angewendet werden können. Drittens wird gezeigt, dass der root mean square outer residual covariance (RMS_theta) identisch mit einem anderen bekannten Index, dem standardized root mean square residual (SRMR) ist, falls der RMS_theta als Maß für die Modellanpassungsgüte verwendet werden soll. Kapitel 3 basiert auf einem in Internet Research veröffentlichten Zeitschriftenartikel mit dem Titel „Measurement error correlation within blocks of indicators in consistent partial least squares: Issues and remedies“. Der Artikel entwickelt das consistent partial least squares (PLSc) Verfahren weiter, um konsistente Parameterschätzungen für Populationsmodelle zu erhalten, deren Indikatorblöcke korrelierte Messfehler enthalten. Dies wird erreicht, indem die Korrektur für die Dämpfung (eng. attenuation), wie sie ursprünglich von PLSc angewandt wird, so modifiziert wird, dass sie a priori Annahmen über die Struktur der Messfehlerkorrelationen innerhalb der Indikatorblöcke enthält. Um die statistische Gültigkeit der Modifikation zu beurteilen, wird eine Monte Carlo Simulation durchgeführt. Das Papier wurde gemeinsam mit Florian Schuberth und Theo Dijkstra verfasst. Kapitel 4 basiert auf einem zur Veröffentlichung in Industrial Management & Data Systems anstehenden Zeitschriftenartikel mit dem Titel „Estimating and testing second order constructs using PLS-PM: the case of composites of composites“. Der Zweck dieses Artikels ist ein dreifacher: (i) Bewertung und Vergleich gängiger Ansätze zur Schätzung von Modellen, die Konstrukte zweiter Ordnung enthalten, die als Komposite von Kompositen modelliert wurden; (ii) ein zweistufiges Testverfahren vorzustellen und statistisch zu bewerten, um die allgemeine Modellanpassung solcher Modelle zu testen und (iii) auf der Grundlage unserer Ergebnisse Empfehlungen für Praktiker zu formulieren. Darüber hinaus wurde eine Monte Carlo Simulation durchgeführt, um die Ansätze in Bezug auf Fisher-Konsistenz, geschätzte Verzerrung und RMSE zu vergleichen. Das Papier wurde gemeinsam mit Florian Schuberth und Jörg Henseler verfasst. Kapitel 5 stellt das R-Paket cSEM vor. Zum Zeitpunkt der Einreichung dieser Dissertation zur Begutachtung ist cSEM im Comprehensive R Archive Network (CRAN) als Version 0.2.0 verfügbar

Text in English
Developments in Internet technology and pervasive computing over the past two and half decades have resulted in a variety of Web-based applications (WBAs) that provide products and services to online users or customers. The Internet is used not only to transfer information via the web but is increasingly used to provide electronic services including business transactions, information-delivery and social networking, as well as e-government, e-health and e-learning. For such organisations, e-service quality, usability and user experience are considered to be critical determinants of their products’ or services’ success. Many studies to model these three concepts separately have been undertaken as part of broader studies of software quality or service quality modelling. However, to the current researcher’s knowledge, none of the studies have focussed on proposing an evaluation model that integrates and combines the three of them. This research is an effort to fill that gap. The primary purpose of this mixed-methods research was to develop a conceptual integrated model for evaluating e-service quality, usability and user experience (e-SQUUX) of WBAs and then contextualise it to evaluation of a University web portal (UWP). This was undertaken using an exploratory sequential research design. During a qualitative phase, an extensive extensive systematic literature review of 264 relevant sources relating to dimensions of e-service quality, usability and user experience, was undertaken to derive an integrated conceptual e-service quality, usability and user experience (e-SQUUX) Model for evaluating WBAs. The model was then empirically refined through a sequential series of validations, thus developing various versions of the e-SQUUX Model. First, it was content validated by a set of four expert reviewers. Second, during the quantitative phase, in the context of a University web portal, a questionnaire survey was conducted that included a comprehensive pilot study with 29 partipants, prior to the main survey. The main survey data from 174 particiapants was used to determine a validated model, using Exploratory factor analysis (EFA), followed by producing a structural model, using partial least square – structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM). This version consisted of the components of the final e-SQUUX Model. Consequently, the research enriches the body of knowledge on IS and HCI by providing the e-SQUUX Model as an evaluation tool. For designers, developers and managers of UWPs, the model serves as a customisable set of evaluation criteria and also provides specific recommendations for design. In line with the Exploratory sequential design of mixed methods research, the findings of the qualitative work in this research influenced the subsequent quantitative study, since the potential Likert-scale questionnaire items were derived from the definitions and meanings of the components that emanated from the qualitative phase of the study. Consequently, this research is an exemplar for developing an integrated evaluation model for specific facets or domains, and of its application in a particular context, in this case, a University web portal. Keywords: e-service quality, usability, user experience, evaluation model, integrated model, exploratory factor analysis, partial least square – structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM), mixed methods research, Exploratory sequential design, quantitative study, qualitative study, validation, Web-based applications, University web portal
Information System
Ph D. (Information Systems)