Constructing early childhood leadership models in China: a mixed-methods study

2020 ◽  
Vol 58 (6) ◽  
pp. 729-748
Author(s):  
Mo Wang ◽  
Dora Ho ◽  
Jiafang Lu ◽  
Dongmei Yang

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to construct a scale that is contextually suitable for measuring early childhood leadership in China.Design/methodology/approachFollowing a standard scale development procedure, both qualitative and quantitative research approaches were addressed. Qualitative data was collected from 21 semistructured interviews with formal and informal teacher leaders in Xiamen City, China. Using survey data of 120 respondents and 305 respondents, an exploratory factor analysis was conducted twice to determine the underlying factorial structure of the scale. A further sample of 317 respondents were used to test the latent structure and validity of the scale using confirmatory factor analysis.FindingsBased on the results from reliability and validity tests, this study indicates that the scale demonstrates sound psychometric properties. A three-factor model was determined, including staff management and development, peer learning and support and communication with parents.Originality/valueThe scale is the first of its kind for measuring early childhood leadership in China.

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 377-395

Abstract Taiwan government consolidated the kindergarten and daycare systems in 2012, and launched a new national curriculum framework, Early Childhood Education & Care Curriculum Framework (ECECCF), as a guidance for quality early childhood education programs. Research has shown that the effects of a new educational program highly depended on the fidelity of its implementation. It has thus been suggested that the degree of implantation of a program needs be evaluated before conducting further program evaluation. Thus, the purpose of this study was to construct an Early Childhood Education Curriculum Framework Implementation Scale (ECECCF Implementation Scale) for Taiwanese preschool programs. 216 preschool classes in Taiwan were involved. The study consisted of two stages: In Stage 1, the exploratory factor analysis showed that the implementation of ECECCF could mostly be explained by four factors, and all the factors extracted had acceptable reliability and validity. In Stage 2, rubrics were constructed for each item and factor analysis was re-conducted, resulting in a 19-item scale of four factors (Awareness and Adjustment, Learning Centers Arrangement, Teaching Guidance and Curriculum Development). The reliability and validity tests shows that: (1) the final version of the ECECCF Implementation Scale is a valid and reliable instrument, explaining 62.9% of the total variance; (2) the criterion validity indicated that the ECECCF scale can not only be used for assessing the implementation of ECECCF, but also can be used for understanding teachers’ needs in instructional and operational curriculum for further professional development.


2016 ◽  
Vol 25 (5) ◽  
pp. 435-451 ◽  
Author(s):  
Imran Khan ◽  
Zillur Rahman

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to develop and validate a multi-dimensional scale to measure retail brand experience. Design/methodology/approach Literature review and open-ended survey have been carried out to generate an initial pool of items. Item reduction has been done using exploratory factor analysis and validation of measures performed through confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling. A total of six separate studies have been conducted to develop and validate the retail brand experience scale. Findings A 22-item seven-dimensional retail brand experience scale is developed. The proposed scale has exhibited sound psychometric properties based on the findings from different reliability and validity tests, as well as from robust scale replications across several different samples. Findings support that retail brand experience has a significant impact on consumer intentions (word-of-mouth and pay more). Practical implications This research develops a set of retail brand experience measures that can provide retailers a way to examine the experiences evoked through retail brand-related stimuli. Originality/value This study is the first of its kind of its kind that develops and validates the measures of the retail brand experience.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Artuğ Eren Coşkun ◽  
Ramazan Erturgut

PurposeThe main objective of this study is to identify reliable and valid performance dimensions for both the identification and quantification of logistics performance that continues its development in the academic literature.Design/methodology/approachQuantitative research approach was used in the scale development process. First, the logistical performance literature was analyzed in detail, and it was evaluated that the logistics performance consists mainly of logistics efficiency, logistics differentiation, logistics agility and logistics effectiveness dimensions. During the scale development process, opinions were obtained from academics, industry managers and pilot applications were carried out. For the implementation of the developed scale, a total of 108 companies engaged in logistics activities in Turkey were identified, and the developed scale was applied to 398 logistics professionals.FindingsA 28-item logistics performance scale has been developed based on the resource-based theory to measure totally five-dimensional performance. First, the three items under the logistics agility dimension were separated from this dimension as a result of the exploratory factor analysis, and it was understood that these items belong to the “logistics flexibility” dimension. The established structure was supported by confirmatory factor analysis. The reliability and validity of the scale are within the range of acceptable values.Research limitations/implicationsThe research data were collected from the Western Mediterranean region. The scale should be tested in different geographies.Originality/valueBy means of establishing a valid and reliable scale for logistics performance and its sub-dimensions, it is evaluated that this study will contribute to future research based on the measurement of logistics performance.


2022 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammed Shafi M.K ◽  
M. Ravindar Reddy

PurposeThe paper aims to study the outreach and performance of business correspondent (BC) models, which are implemented as a subsidiary agent of banks to accelerate the financial inclusion (FI) mission in India. In this regard, the study illustrates BC's products and services rendered to customers, forms of delivery channels and BC's view on banking services and Kiosk-based BC programs.Design/methodology/approachThe current paper is an empirical study based on surveying 200 Kiosk-based BCs working in the state of Kerala. After the preliminary screening analysis of the data with outlier deletion, removal of missing values and normality test, both exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were executed followed by reliability test, convergent and discriminant validity tests. Covariance-based structural equation modeling (CBSEM) was performed for CFA and inferential tests were carried out by using statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS) and analysis of a moment structures (AMOS) and Eviews.FindingsChiefly, eight operational forms of BCs were found from the field survey. Hypothetical tests show the significant impact of the serviceability of banks on BC's profitability. Validity tests such as average variance extracted (AVE), composite reliability (CR), maximum shared variance (MSV) and average shared variance (ASV) were established after the removal of the cross-loaded items of the questionnaire from the rotated component matrix. BCs perform main banking services especially bank account opening facility and Akshaya E-Centers are widely used for this model as Kiosk banking in the surveyed state.Originality/valueSo far, no study has encompassed empirical research on performance analysis and outreach of the BC model in the state of Kerala where this BC model well functions. Since the study is a novel form of banking channelization for FI, the study can contribute to understanding the further feasibility and future dimension of the model based on experimental views of BCs.


2017 ◽  
Vol 28 (5) ◽  
pp. 538-562 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lin Ma ◽  
Baiyin Yang ◽  
Xueli Wang ◽  
Yan Li

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the dimensionality of intragroup conflict and to develop an instrument with acceptable psychometric properties for the comprehensive measurement of conflict. Design/methodology/approach This paper strictly follows the standard scale-developing method: first, establish theoretical dimensions of intragroup conflict; then, develop the initial scale through in-depth interviews and coding schemes; third, revise and verify the scale through exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis; and, finally, examine the predictive validity of the new intragroup conflict scale. Findings This study identifies four dimensions of intragroup conflict – cognitive conflict, affective conflict, behavioral conflict, and interest-based conflict – and provides evidence of construct validity for a new measure. The results show that cognitive and interest-based conflict affect group innovation performance positively, whereas affective and behavioral conflict affects it negatively. Originality/value This study first detects interest-based conflict as a new dimension and explores a more comprehensive scale (ABCI) that reflects all the connotations of conflict, which deepens the understanding of intragroup conflict, laying a solid foundation for empirical studies of conflict.


2018 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 352-379 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel Mei Ming Wong ◽  
Shiet Ching Wong ◽  
Guek Nee Ke

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to combine the elaboration likelihood model and hedonic/utilitarian values into a coherent model of shopping motivational values for online and offline Malaysian shoppers. Once these values were identified, they were compared to one another based on shopping channel, gender, and age group. Design/methodology/approach The Shopping Motivational Value Questionnaire was developed by the researcher after extensive literature review and measured the respondent’s perception toward shopping motivational values in both shopping channels. Data were collected from 306 Malaysians above the age of 21, and analyzed using exploratory factor analysis and pairwise t-test techniques. Findings The factor analysis revealed a three-factor model of shopping motivational values. Gratification Values were the most important to shoppers, followed by Essential and Societal Values. Shoppers perceived all these motivational values as important when shopping offline as compared to online, regardless of gender and age group. Research limitations/implications The results of the factor analysis revealed a three-factor model of shopping motivational values: Gratification Values which were the most important to shoppers, followed by Essential and Societal Values. These values were then compared to one another based on shopping channel, gender, and age group. Results indicate that shoppers perceived all these motivational values as important when shopping offline rather than online, regardless of gender and age group. Moreover, the perception of shoppers toward specific product categories and other shopping channels were not taken into account. Originality/value This study attempted to combine the elaboration likelihood model and hedonic and utilitarian values into a coherent model. A questionnaire was developed by the researcher with these two theoretical models as its foundation. Additionally, the shopping motivational values of this study have been formulated to be compatible to both shopping channels.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hanif Abdul Rahman ◽  
Wegdan Bani Issa ◽  
Mohammad Rababa ◽  
Deeni Rudita Idris ◽  
Khadizah H. Abdul-Mumin ◽  
...  

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to introduce a new tool called the elderly caregiver questionnaire for COVID-19 (ECQC-24) that helps to assess caregiver attributes toward best possible care for elderly during this pandemic. Design/methodology/approach ECQC-24 was developed based on international team of experts and draw upon latest advice from reliable governing bodies such as World Health Organization and the US Centre of Disease Control. Psychometric analysis was applied to ensure the newly developed ECQC-24 is valid and reliable. Findings Cronbach’s alpha ranged from 0.72 to 0.87, and construct validity by exploratory factor analysis was acceptable. The results provide good estimates for the reliability and validity of ECQC-24. Originality/value More evidence is urgently needed to better inform clinicians, health and social policymakers and related stakeholders and organizations involved in caring for the elderly. ECQC-24, the manual to use and analyzing tools are freely available for download and use at https://sites.google.com/view/the-elderly-caregiver-covid19/home.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tejas R. Shah ◽  
Tejal T. Shah

Purpose The purpose of the study is to explore and analyze m-car rental service quality dimensions. Design/methodology/approach Exploratory factor analysis method is applied to explore the m-car rental service quality dimensions. Further, confirmatory factor analysis is done to prove the reliability and validity of the factors using AMOS 22.0. Findings The results reveal the m-car rental service quality dimensions: ambient quality, technical quality, comfort, safety and employee service, mobile convenience, mobile responsiveness, mobile efficiency and reliability and mobile safety and billing. Research limitations/implications The explored dimensions of car rental services are in Indian environment. So, these dimensions can be further validated in other similar cultural context. Practical implications The proposed measurements can also be applied to measure and compare the service quality performance of car rental firms. Originality/value Current literature does not confirm the stable factor structure of m-car rental service quality. This study confirms the reliable and valid dimensions of care rental service through mobile app.


2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 1837-1849
Author(s):  
Precious Chikezie Ezeh ◽  
Anayo D. Nkamnebe

Purpose The purpose of this study is to develop a model for the study of Islamic bank choice and to test the significant importance of the constructs that influence bank customers to choose Islamic bank in a pluralistic-secular nation. Design/methodology/approach Total of 348 conventional and Islamic bank customers were sampled. Five-point Likert-type question containing 27 bank selection items was used in collecting primary data. Cronbach’s alpha, composite reliability and average variance extracted are used to test the reliability and validity of the instrument. Also various descriptive statistics, exploratory factor analysis and one sample T-test are equally used in analyzing the work. Findings Exploratory factor analysis identified four factors. They are Islamic ethics, convenience, Islamic bank services awareness and physical evidence. Furthermore, the factors that show significant importance in the choice of Islamic banking are Islamic ethics and Islamic bank services awareness. The result equally shows that people are aware of Islamic banking. Practical implications This study provides insight on the factors that influence the selection of Islamic banking, an innovative banking concept. This study has obvious management and theory implications. Also, the study will assist the bank managers in developing effective marketing strategy to increase the market share. Originality/value This study reports Islamic banking selection criteria in a pluralistic-secular Nation. The study also developed a model that can be used in studying the choice of Islamic bank in special type of environment. Thus, Islamic banking is a new reality in the Nigerian financial scene.


Author(s):  
Jing Li ◽  
Simon Hudson ◽  
Kevin Kam Fung So

Purpose The purpose of this study is to investigate the multi-dimensional structure of the Airbnb customer experience and to examine the influences of this experience on behavioral outcomes. Design/methodology/approach A multi-phase methodology was adopted using a survey questionnaire to explore the dimensions. Data were collected from a sample of 561 Airbnb users in the USA. Exploratory factor analysis and confirmed factor analysis were conducted to evaluate the reliability and validity of the scale. Findings First, the results support the hypothesis that the Airbnb customer experience comprises four dimensions: home benefits, personalized services, authenticity and social connection. Second, the study demonstrates that these dimensions significantly influence customers’ behavioral intentions. Research limitations/implications The use of a US Airbnb users sample may affect the generalizability of the results. Practical implications The findings of this study provide insights for Airbnb hosts and hotel managers. More specifically, this study offers suggestions to Airbnb hosts about how to enhance their services to customers based on the four experience dimensions and to hotels about how they can compete with Airbnb on the four experience dimensions. Originality/value This study provides an important theoretical framework for measuring the Airbnb customer experience through an empirical examination.


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