Designing a model for measuring and analyzing the relational capital using factor analysis

2016 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 734-757 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maryam Hosseini ◽  
Mohammad Saleh Owlia

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to present a model for measuring relational capital in banks by using measurement indicators defined in previous studies and according to the conditions of the banking industry and in particular the Ansar bank in Iran. Design/methodology/approach The study identifies measurement indicators of relational capital from the related resources and articles and uses content analysis and factor analysis methods. It also measures the selected indicators through a questionnaire analyzing them using the SPSS software to create a model to measure relational capital in the bank. Findings By using the measurement model created in this research, relational capital in Ansar bank is determined to be comprised of eight principal components. The total score of these components is the starting point of promoting the relational capital in the banking industry. Research limitations/implications This study may not have thoroughly covered the peer- reviewed articles on intellectual capital, but it can be assumed with high confidence that it has made a serious attempt at studying the most important papers on the subject as of date. Moreover, the model presented in this study is valid only when applied in comparing banks. It should further be noted that time limitation, non-availability of relevant experts as well as the required data may have affected the accuracy and reliability of the results. However, the final model has been utilized to try to optimally minimize each limitation according to the existing resources, and through their proper management. Practical implications This study provides a new approach that can significantly help bank managers in comparing their banks in the field of relational capital and reacting to their weaknesses and performance advantages of relational capital over its rivals. Originality/value In addition to creating a new framework for relational capital indicators, this study offers a model for measuring relational capital in the banks.

2018 ◽  
Vol 35 (6) ◽  
pp. 1253-1267 ◽  
Author(s):  
Khahan Na-nan ◽  
Kanokporn Chaiprasit ◽  
Peerapong Pukkeeree

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to develop a performance management (PM) scale questionnaire that encompasses the pre-requisite, performance planning, performance evaluation, performance review, and performance application dimensions of PM. Design/methodology/approach In the study, the 33 questionnaire questions were first validated using exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and then by confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) along the three performance dimensions. The research sample consists of 330 entrepreneurs. The factor analysis results confirm the validity of the questionnaire as a reliable entrepreneur PM evaluation tool, as evidenced by the composite reliability of 0.845 and the average variance extracted of 0.532. Findings All constructs revealed the acceptable internal consistency reliability. A good model fit was found for the measurement model using several fit index like χ2=449.983, degree of freedom=415, p-value (p)=0.114, goodness of fit index=0.927, adjusted goodness of fit index=0.901, root mean square error of approximation=0.016, and root of mean square residuals=0.032. Research limitations/implications The PM model was examined using EFA and CFA only. A sample with only SMEs entrepreneurs and large sample size and sample area can be used in future research. Practical implications This research paper is an endeavor to explore only the reliability and validity of the PM model. Thus all the five dimension, namely “pre-requisite” “performance planning,” “performance evaluation,” “performance review,” and “performance application” proved out of be reliable and validated when it will be tested in case of SMEs’ high-growth sectors and high-impact sectors. Originality/value The main contribution of this research is that all factors have a good fit and acceptable reliability value; each factor can be measured individually depending on the nature of the research.


2019 ◽  
Vol 38 (3) ◽  
pp. 718-736 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdullah Sultan

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to study the effect of staged customer experiences on customer switching costs in the banking industry. Design/methodology/approach Brand touchpoints in the banking industry are identified by exploratory research using focus group sessions with bank customers and staff and refined by exploratory factor analysis using an independent sample of bank customers to form the staged customer experience construct. The proposed research model is then validated by confirmatory factor analysis with an independent sample using structural equation modeling. Findings Customer experience in the banking industry consists of four related but distinct stages (i.e. pre-touch, in-touch, post-touch and service failure). The first three stages have direct and indirect effects on switching costs that are partially mediated by relationship quality. Research limitations/implications Customer experience is an industry-specific construct with complicated effects on switching costs. Thus, the staged customer experience construct should be examined in different industries and applications to understand its implications. Practical implications Bank customers demand experiences that achieve desirable results in everyday situations and switch to other service providers easily if this demand is not met. Banks should focus on brand touchpoints that are both important to customers and increase switching costs to keep customers from defecting. Originality/value This research expands upon findings in the customer experience literature by exploring factors that link staged customer experiences with switching costs in the banking industry. In addition, a paradox is identified in the staged customer experience model that requires managers’ attention in order to design an effective customer experience strategy.


2015 ◽  
Vol 42 (4) ◽  
pp. 659-688
Author(s):  
Cosimo Magazzino ◽  
Francesco Felici ◽  
Vanja Bozic

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the information content of the variables that can help detecting external and internal imbalances in an early stage. The starting point is the Scoreboard, where nine indicators are chosen in order to increase macroeconomic surveillance of all member states. Design/methodology/approach – This paper provides an overview of the variables that could be informative for imbalances by focusing on EU-27 countries over the period 1960-2010. The number of chosen variables is 28, and they are aggregated in six macro-areas. Therefore, once an imbalance is observed in any of those areas, it is possible to detect in a simple way which specific variable is determining such outcome. Findings – In general, this approach provides reliable signal to the policy-makers about the indicators that can drive imbalances within the area, shedding light on the relationship among the variables included in the analysis, too. Research limitations/implications – In fact, the empirical results underline some well-known critical issue for several countries, and is largely in line with results obtained in a variety of EC and OECD studies. Originality/value – The main added value of the approach adopted in this paper is the introduction of more variables than those initially proposed by the European Commission in the construction of the Scoreboard. This provides more information about the macroeconomic situation in each country, preserving, however, the simplicity of the analysis as the variables are aggregated by homogeneous areas.


2017 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 210-241 ◽  
Author(s):  
Osama Isaac ◽  
Zaini Abdullah ◽  
T. Ramayah ◽  
Ahmed M. Mutahar

Purpose The internet technology becomes an essential tool for individuals, organizations, and nations for growth and prosperity. The purpose of this paper is to integrate the DeLone and McLean IS success model with task-technology fit (TTF) to explain the performance impact of Yemeni Government employees. Design/methodology/approach Questionnaire survey method was used to collect primary data from 530 internet users among employees within all 30 government ministries-institutions in Yemen. The four constructs in the proposed model were measured using existing scales. The data analysis starts with initial exploratory factor analysis, then confirmatory factor analysis and lastly structural equation modeling via AMOS. Findings The results showed that the proposed integrated model fits the data well. Findings of the multivariate analysis demonstrate four main results. First, actual usage has a strong positive impact on user satisfaction, TTF, and performance impact. Second, user satisfaction has a great influence on performance impact. Third, TTF has a strong positive impact on user satisfaction and performance impact. Fourth, both user satisfaction and TTF mediate the relationship between the actual usage and performance impact. Research limitations/implications The public sector in Yemen contains three parts: Yemeni prime minister, Yemeni ministries, and government agencies. This study focuses only on the Yemeni employees among Yemeni ministries; hence the results are not necessarily generalizable. Moreover, there are biases when the researcher measures the actual Internet usage variable through asking a participant about their opinion regarding their usage because these are generally found to differ from the true score of system usage. Practical implications The findings should be very useful for the Yemeni Government in presenting the importance of information technology effects on individual efficiency and effectiveness. Therefore, the information from these findings should encourage and support the formation of future policy at the organizational level and national level. If the government utilizes these findings by setting up strategies to promote internet usage, this may, in turn, improve professional practice, personal development, and quality of working life. Originality/value This paper adds to the existing literature of information systems by combining actual technology usage, user satisfaction, and TTF to predict performance impact within the organizations. Furthermore, this study proposed a second-order model of performance impact in order to increase the power of explaining the output by the model, which contains four first-order constructs: process, knowledge acquisition, communication quality, and decision quality. The predictive power of the proposed model has a higher ability to explain and predict performance impact compared to those obtained from some of the previous studies.


2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 600-615 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Perkins ◽  
Gita Mathur ◽  
Kam Jugdev

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to draw on the resource-based view of the firm from strategic management and apply it to a study of competitive advantage in the project management context. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) is used to examine the factors that constitute strategic characteristics of project management resources and outcomes of the project management process. Design/methodology/approach This study gathered data from 437 North American project management professionals using an existing survey tool from prior research involving a smaller sample. Findings The final model derived from CFA demonstrated construct validity, meaning acceptable convergent and discriminant validity. It showed only minor differences from a prior exploratory factor analysis (EFA). The final model consisted of two factors representing valuable project management characteristics, one factor representing rare project management characteristics, one factor representing inimitable project management characteristics, three factors representing organizational support for project management assets, one factor representing project-level performance and one factor representing firm-level performance. Research limitations/implications Limitations of the study include self-report bias and the use of a panel for data collection. Practical implications This study draws managerial attention to project management characteristics that constitute a source of competitive advantage. Originality/value The study validates a survey tool from previous research, reflects few deviations from factor structure of the prior EFA, and sets the stage for future research to elaborate on the conceptual model. It extends understanding of the characteristics of project management assets that lead to a firm’s competitive advantage.


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.


2014 ◽  
Vol 34 (11) ◽  
pp. 1440-1462 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yina Li ◽  
Fei Ye ◽  
Chwen Sheu

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the effects of social resources on promoting information sharing practice and, thereby, improving firm performance. In particular, the authors are interested in addressing the following research questions. First, can the development of social capital (expressed in three dimensions: cognitive capital, structural capital, and relational capital) promote the content and quality of supply chain information sharing? Second, what are the relationships among the three social capital dimensions in the context of information sharing? Third, what are the effects of shared information (content and quality) on firm performance? Design/methodology/approach – A theoretical model and several research hypotheses, well-grounded in the western literature, are developed. Data from 272 manufacturers in China were collected to test the model and the hypotheses. Structural equation modeling was used for statistical analysis. Findings – The statistical results reveal that each social capital dimension has different effects on information sharing and performance. Namely, relational capital and cognitive capital have significant positive influences on information sharing. Structural capital has no direct positive impact on information sharing, but it displays indirect affects through the other two social capital dimensions. Furthermore, both the content and quality of the shared information improve manufacturing efficiency and responsiveness performance. Finally, the paper also recognizes possible reciprocal causality between relational capital and cognitive capital. Research limitations/implications – First, considering the distinct role of social relations in China, future studies should examine the influence of social capital and the potential reciprocal relationship between trust and shared vision, using data from other countries. Second, data were collected solely from the Pearl River Delta, China. Studies based on samples drawn from other regions, such as the Yangtze River Delta, the Bohai Sea economic area, and southwest China, would provide a degree of geographic and economic diversity and extend the generalizability of the results. Practical implications – Despite the touting of the value of information sharing, many companies struggle with the practice. The findings help us understand the process by which social capital accumulates and contributes to information sharing. Namely, firms must first engage in social interactions with supply chain partners in order to develop a trusting relationship and a shared vision for information sharing. The managers must also be aware of the possible reciprocal relationship between trust and shared vision. Both the volume and content of information sharing are critical to the performance. Social implications – Manufacturers can use the concept of social capital to build relational rents for information sharing. Originality/value – Responding to the call from the literature, this study extends the discussion of antecedents and consequences of supply chain information sharing, with a focus on the influences of relational resources. The paper proves that social capital provides a valid theoretical base from which to examine the role of social relations in promoting supply chain information sharing. Previous supply chain research in social capital often limited its consideration of social capital to relational capital. Understanding the effects of all three dimensions of social capital and their inter-relationships would contribute to the process by which social capital accumulates and promotes information sharing. Additionally, a study with the Chinese data should validate the theoretical model developed based on western literature, and offer valuable insights to researchers and practitioners from both economic and cultural perspectives.


2015 ◽  
Vol 32 (5) ◽  
pp. 356-366 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jagrook Dawra ◽  
Kanupriya Katyal ◽  
Vipin Gupta

Purpose – The paper aims to study how deal- and bargaining-prone customers are different from each other. This paper brings out this difference based on psychographics encompassing values – consciousness, price mavenism and personality orientations – needed for special treatment (distinctiveness and play). Design/methodology/approach – The measurement model was assessed using both exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis. The structural model was tested using structural equation modeling. Findings – This paper finds that value consciousness is a two-dimensional construct in the Indian context. This construct comprises two dimensions of value consciousness, including concern for price and concern for quality. The authors find that deal-prone customers are value conscious and price mavens. Bargaining-prone customers are value-conscious price mavens and have a high need for special treatment (play). Play orientation distinguishes between a deal-prone and a bargaining-prone customer. Research limitations/implications – The study was limited to grocery products. The consumers surveyed were urban and educated Indians. Practical implications – With the Indian markets being opened for Western retailers, it is imperative to study the Indian consumers. It is important to understand why the local neighborhood store is able to retain its customer base even when the organized fixed-price formats have been around for approximately 20 years. Originality/value – This is one of the few papers that tries to understand the Indian consumer’s buying behavior, especially with respect to their haggling nature. This paper further develops our understanding of the “deal proneness” and “bargaining proneness” constructs. The authors also study their differences based on psychographics.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
G.S. Sureshchandar

PurposeThe disruptions caused by new-age technologies of Industry 4.0 are posing a formidable challenge to researchers, academicians and practitioners alike. Quality 4.0 that depicts the role of the quality function in the Industry 4.0 scenario must be comprehended so that the rudiments of Quality 4.0 are understood properly, and interventions can be made to embrace the new normal. As the literature on Quality 4.0 is extremely scarce, empirical studies are mandatory to augment the process of theory building.Design/methodology/approachThe research work identifies 12 axes of the Quality 4.0 revolution based on literature review and insights from experts. Subsequently, a measurement model is formulated and an instrument to measure the level of Quality 4.0 implementation is developed. The measurement model has been checked for model fit, reliability and validity using the confirmatory factor analysis approach.FindingsThe proposed model was found to be adequate, reliable and valid and concludes that though technology plays a significant role in the development of the Quality 4.0 system, aspects of traditional quality are very much apropos to transform to the next frontier of quality.Research limitations/implicationsImplications for future research are provided which would help to further explore the nascent field of Quality 4.0.Practical implicationsThis research would help the practitioners better understand the various requirements and measure the degree of implementation of a Quality 4.0 system.Originality/valueThe present research is perhaps the first of its kind in propounding a measurement model, through empirical analysis, for the betterment of the understanding of Quality 4.0 and its associated constituents.


2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 331-354 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suharni Maulan ◽  
Nor Asiah Omar ◽  
Maisarah Ahmad

Purpose The main purpose of this paper is to develop a reliable and valid scale for measuring halal brand association (HalBA) for Islamic banks. Brand association is a core dimension of brand equity that Islamic bank managers need to develop to maintain competitiveness. Using the process proposed by Churchill for developing measures of marketing constructs, an instrument to assess HalBA for Islamic bank is formulated. Design/methodology/approach The methodology consists of developing the scale based on a literature review and qualitative method. The proposed scale is then purified and validated through exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Findings Based on the EFA and CFA, the result reveals that HalBA for Islamic banks contains 15 attributes which can be categorized into three dimensions: Shari’ah-compliant association, God-consciousness association and corporate social responsibility association. Practical implications The scale developed could assist practitioners in further understanding the dimensions and measurement of halal bank association, particularly in Islamic banking institutions. Knowledge of the dimensions of HalBA that customers seek from an Islamic bank can help managers and marketers to design branding strategies that better meet the needs of consumers, thereby increasing their satisfaction and loyalty. Originality/value The concept of brand association has been explored primarily from a conventional marketing perspective. This study offers a new dimension of HalBA in the context of Islamic banks.


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