Decentralization: Operationalization and measurement model

2016 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 275-307 ◽  
Author(s):  
Boris Morozov

Decentralization has been a continual focus of attention of both scholars and practitioners for more than half a century. Even though there is a general agreement on what decentralization is, there is no consensus about how it should be measured. This article builds on the existing body of literature that specifies three major dimensions of decentralization: political, administrative, and economic. The article offers a measurement model that unifies these dimensions in a meaningful manner that allows for comparison across countries. The proposed model is then empirically tested using confirmatory factor analysis of a data set of 37 countries over the period 2000-2009. This factor analysis reveals that there are, in fact, only two dimensions of the decentralization process. The newly developed modelʼs index illustrates that the conceptually challenging processes of decentralization can be accurately measured and analyzed. The index can be used for hypothesis testing of the causality role of decentralization.

Nova Scientia ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (27) ◽  
Author(s):  
Saúl Pérez-Hernández ◽  
Deneb Elí Magaña-Medina ◽  
Candelaria Guzmán Fernández

Introduction: The objective of this scientific approach was to validate through confirmatory factor analysis a measurement model to determine the perceived importance of the inclusion of persons with disabilities in the labor market, in employees who work or interact during the course of their duties with disabled employees. Method: The study had a quantitative approach with a non-experimental design, was carried out in 4 organizations: a Higher Education Institution, two private sector agencies and a public administration institution, in the Southeast of Mexico; where a total of 120 employees who work or interact during the course of their duties with partners with disabilities participated, the participants were also sought to belong to different departments of those organizations. An exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis was performed to determine the psychometric properties of the instrument.                        Results: The proposed model ratified by means of confirmatory factor analysis the values of the main fit indicators (X 2 =40.15, p=.216; CMIN/DF= 1.18; CFI=.97; GFI= .91, IFI=.97; RMSEA=.04; CI 90 [.00-.09]). Discussion or conclusion: The results confirm the empirical sustainability of the proposed model to measure the perception on the occupational inclusion of people with disabilities" (POIPD) in organizations with at least one partner with disabilities, the data presented show evidence of a sustainable factor model.         


2018 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 126-135
Author(s):  
Patrícia M. Pascoal ◽  
Maria-João Alvarez ◽  
Magda Sofia Roberto

Abstract Objective To evaluate the psychometric properties of the Beliefs About Appearance Scale (BAAS) in terms of its factorial structure and invariance, reliability, and validity when applied to adults from the community. Methods Participants consisted of 810 heterosexual Portuguese individuals in a committed relationship. As a confirmatory factor analysis did not support the original structure of the BAAS, an exploratory factor analysis was performed. Results A 12-item version was extracted comprising two dimensions: one personal and the other social. The factorial model depicting this bidimensional structure revealed an adequate fit following confirmatory factor analysis. Multigroup confirmatory factor analyses indicated invariance across gender. Concurrent and discriminant validities and internal consistency were estimated and observed to be adequate. Conclusions This shorter measure of the BAAS can accurately assess body appearance beliefs and may be used in different research settings and contexts.


2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammed Dauda Goni ◽  
Nyi Nyi Naing ◽  
Habsah Hasan ◽  
Nadiah Wan-Arfah ◽  
Zakuan Zainy Deris ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Respiratory tract infections are one of the common infection associated with Hajj pilgrimage that is of great public health and global concern. This study is aimed at determining the factor structure of the knowledge, attitude, and practice questionnaire for the prevention of respiratory tract infections during Hajj by confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Methods A multistage cluster sampling method was conducted on Malaysian Umrah pilgrims during the weekly Umrah orientation course. A total of 200 Umrah pilgrims participated in the study. The knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) questionnaire was distributed to pilgrims at the beginning of the orientation and retrieved immediately at the end of the orientation. Data analysis was done using R version 3.5.0 after data entry into SPSS 24. The robust maximum likelihood was used for the estimation due to the multivariate normality assumption violation. A two-factor model was tested for measurement model validity and construct validity for each of the attitude and practice domains. Results CFA of a 25-item in total, the two-factor model yielded adequate goodness-of-fit values. The measurement model also showed good convergent and discriminant validity after model re-specification. A two-factor model was tested for measurement model validity and construct validity for each of the attitude and practice domains. The result also showed a statistically significant value (p < 0.001) with χ2 (df) values of 76.8 (43) and 121 (76) for attitude and practice domains, respectively. Conclusion The KAP questionnaire was proven to have a valid measurement model and reliable constructs. It was deemed suitable for use to measure the KAP of Hajj and Umrah pilgrims towards the prevention for all respiratory tract infections.


2017 ◽  
Vol 60 (6) ◽  
pp. 1516-1534 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wolfram Ziegler ◽  
Anja Staiger ◽  
Theresa Schölderle ◽  
Mathias Vogel

Purpose Standardized clinical assessment of dysarthria is essential for management and research. We present a new, fully standardized dysarthria assessment, the Bogenhausen Dysarthria Scales (BoDyS). The measurement model of the BoDyS is based on auditory evaluations of connected speech using 9 scales (traits) assessed by 4 elicitation methods. Analyses of the BoDyS' reliability and construct validity were performed to test this model, with the aim of gauging the auditory dimensions of speech impairment in dysarthria. Method Interrater agreement was examined in 70 persons with dysarthria. Construct validity was examined in 190 persons with dysarthria using a multitrait-multimethod design with confirmatory factor analysis. Results Interrater agreement of < 1 on a 5-point scale was found in 91% of cases across listener pairs and scales. Average reliability was .85. Inspection of the multitrait-multimethod matrix pointed at a high convergent and discriminant validity. Modeling of the BoDyS trait and method factors using confirmatory factor analysis yielded high goodness of fit. Model coefficients confirmed high discriminant and convergent validity and revealed meaningful relationships between scales and methods. Conclusions The 9 auditory scales of the BoDyS provide a reliable and valid profile of dysarthric impairment. They permit standardized measurement of clinically relevant dimensions of dysarthric speech.


2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. S377-S378 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Azevedo ◽  
A.T. Pereira ◽  
A.P. Amaral ◽  
V. Nogueira ◽  
M.J. Soares ◽  
...  

IntroductionPerseverative Negative Thinking (PNT) is a transdiagnostic cognitive process [1] characterized by repetitiveness, intrusiveness and difficulties to disengage (Ehring, 2011). The Perseverative Thinking Questionnaire (PTQ-15; [2]) is a self-reported instrument, developed to evaluate these characteristics. The Portuguese version assess two meaningful dimensions – Repetitive thoughts (RT); and Cognitive interference and unproductiveness (CIU) [3].AimTo confirm the bi-dimensional structure of the PTQ-15 using Confirmatory Factor Analysis, in two distinct samples.MethodA sample composed of 256 students (Mean age = 20.58 ± 1.870; 78.1% girls) and a sample composed of 480 adults from the community (parents of the students; mean age = 50.84 ± 5.310; 53.1% women) filled the PTQ-15. We used software AMOS.ResultsThe second-order model of PTQ-15 with two dimensions presented good fit, in both students (CMIN = 2.449; RMSEA = 0.075; CFI = 0.958, TLI = 0.949, PGFI = 0.776; P < 0.001) and their parents (CMIN = 3.46; RMSEA = 0.072, CFI = 0.955, TLI = 0.942, PGFI = 0.632; P < 0.001). Internal consistency of the total scale, measured though Cronbach's alpha was α = 0.95/0.94; both factors presented good/excellent reliability: repetitive thoughts (a = 0.93/0.92); cognitive interference and unproductiveness (a = 0.88/0.92).ConclusionTaken together, both CFAs provided additional evidence that PTQ-15 is an adequate measure for perseverative thinking.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (10) ◽  
pp. 5436
Author(s):  
Barbara Barbieri ◽  
Ilaria Buonomo ◽  
Maria Luisa Farnese ◽  
Paula Benevene

The aim of this study was to deepen our knowledge about the role played by organizational capital (OC) among public administration (PA) agencies. A questionnaire was administered to a gender-balanced convenience sample of 270 workers of Italian PAs. First, confirmatory factor analysis was performed in order to examine the measurement model. Second, a SEM model was performed, confirming that OC was both directly and indirectly positively related to performance, through the mediation of innovation. OC was also positively related to innovation through the mediation of clarity about change. Overall, the results supported the hypothesized model, providing initial evidence on the pivotal role OC plays, and especially for PA agencies, on organizational innovation and performance. The limits and practical implications of these results are discussed.


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