Putting the Methodological Cart Before the Theoretical Horse? Examining the Application of SEM to Connect Theory and Method in Public Administration Research

2017 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 202-218 ◽  
Author(s):  
Randall S. Davis ◽  
Edmund C. Stazyk
Keyword(s):  
Public Administration ◽  
Public Service ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Methodological Approach ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Statistical Techniques ◽  
The Past ◽  
Confirmatory Factor ◽  
Red Tape ◽  
Statistical Approaches

The application of psychometric statistical techniques, such as confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling, has grown significantly in public administration research over the past three decades. Given the growth in the application of these techniques, we take stock of the ability of these statistical approaches to advance public administration theory by examining their use in two areas of research: public service motivation and red tape. We further argue that theoretical and methodological diversity in public administration is desirable, so long as scholars recognize that the application of new and multiple methods in a single study do not inherently lead to better tests of theory. Instead, scholarship should focus on emphasizing that each theoretical and methodological approach adds significant, yet partial, contribution to public administration scholarship.

scholarly journals Latent Variable Structural Equation Modeling: A Flexible Tool for Establishing Validity and More

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Drew Altschul
Keyword(s):  
Social Sciences ◽  
Structural Equation Modeling ◽  
Construct Validity ◽  
Latent Variables ◽  
Latent Variable ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Statistical Techniques ◽  
Flexible Tool ◽  
The Past

Petrinovich highlighted many salient issues in the behavioral and social sciences that are of concern to this day, such as insufficient attention to construct validity. Structural equation modeling, particularly with regard to latent variables, is introduced and discussed in this context. Though conceptual issues remain, analytic and statistical techniques have made immense strides in the past three decades since the article was written, and properly used, offer solutions to many problems Petrinovich identified.

scholarly journals KHẢO SÁT MỨC ĐỘ SẴN SÀNG ỨNG DỤNG DỊCH VỤ CÔNG TRỰC TUYẾN CỦA CỘNG ĐỒNG DOANH NGHIỆP TỈNH LÂM ĐỒNG

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (1S) ◽  
pp. 34
Author(s):  
Hồ Quang Thanh
Keyword(s):  
Factor Analysis ◽  
Structural Equation Modeling ◽  
Confirmatory Factor Analysis ◽  
Exploratory Factor Analysis ◽  
Public Service ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Service Systems ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Cronbach's Alpha ◽  
Confirmatory Factor

Nghiên cứu này tham chiếu theo mô hình lý thuyết chấp nhận công nghệ (Technology Aceptance Model - TAM) để xây dựng và khẳng định các thành phần, yếu tố tác động đến sự chấp nhận và sẵn sàng ứng dụng giao dịch dịch vụ công trực tuyến của cộng đồng doanh nghiệp tỉnh Lâm Đồng. Phương pháp phân tích độ tin cậy Cronbach’s Alpha, phân tích nhân tố khám phá (Exploratory Factor Analysis - EFA), phân tích nhân tố khẳng định (Confirmatory Factor Analysis - CFA) và mô hình phương trình cấu trúc (Structural Equation Modeling - SEM) được sử dụng để kiểm định thang đo, các mối quan hệ trong mô hình lý thuyết về hệ thống dịch vụ công trực tuyến (PSSO - Public Service Systems Online). Kết quả phân tích dữ liệu từ 287 doanh nghiệp trên địa bàn tỉnh Lâm Đồng cho thấy, các thành phần: Hỗ trợ của cơ quan chức năng; Tính hữu ích; và Tính dễ sử dụng có ảnh hưởng đến Thái độ và Ý định sẵn sàng sử dụng giao dịch trực tuyến. Mô hình nghiên cứu giải thích được khoảng 75% những biến động của sự chấp nhận và mức độ sẵn sàng giao dịch các dịch vụ công trực tuyến.

A Psychometric Study of the Quality Perception Questionnaire

2012 ◽  
Vol 71 (2) ◽  
pp. 101-106 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raffaele Cioffi† ◽  
Anna Coluccia ◽  
Fabio Ferretti ◽  
Francesca Lorini ◽  
Aristide Saggino ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
Factor Model ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Fit Indices ◽  
Quality Perception ◽  
Italian Survey ◽  
Confirmatory Factor ◽  
Instrument Measuring ◽  
Hospital Structures

The present paper reexamines the psychometric properties of the Quality Perception Questionnaire (QPQ), an Italian survey instrument measuring patients’ perceptions of the quality of a recent hospital admission experience, in a sample of 4400 patients (Mage = 56.42 years; SD = 19.71 years, 48.8% females). The 14-item survey measures four factors: satisfaction with medical doctors, nursing staff, auxiliary staff, and hospital structures. First, we tested two models using a confirmatory factor analysis (structural equation modeling): a four orthogonal factor and a four oblique factor model. The SEM fit indices and the χ² difference suggested the acceptance of the second model. We then did a simulation using a bootstrap with 1000 replications. Results confirmed the four oblique factor solution. Third, we tested whether there were significant differences with respect to age or sex. The multivariate general linear model showed no significant differences in the factors with respect to sex or age.

Working Memory, Mental Prospection, Time Orientation, and Cognitive Insight

2013 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 159-169 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sevtap Cinan ◽  
Aslı Doğan
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Factor Model ◽  
Time Orientation ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Cognitive Insight ◽  
Confirmatory Factor ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
Positive Effect ◽  
Three Factor

This research is new in its attempt to take future time orientation, morningness orientation, and prospective memory as measures of mental prospection, and to examine a three-factor model that assumes working memory, mental prospection, and cognitive insight are independent but related higher-order cognitive constructs by using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). The three-factor model produced a good fit to the data. An alternative one-factor model was tested and rejected. The results suggest that working memory and cognitive insight are distinguishable, related constructs, and that both are distinct from, but negatively associated with, mental prospection. In addition, structural equation modeling (SEM) showed that working memory had a strong positive effect on cognitive insight and a moderate negative effect on mental prospection.

Further Insights Into the German Version of the Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness (MAIA)

2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 317-325 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dorota Reis
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation Modeling ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Interoceptive Awareness ◽  
Multidimensional Assessment ◽  
New Instrument ◽  
Confirmatory Factor ◽  
Complex Models ◽  
Approximate Zero ◽  
Bayesian Structural Equation Modeling

Abstract. Interoception is defined as an iterative process that refers to receiving, accessing, appraising, and responding to body sensations. Recently, following an extensive process of development, Mehling and colleagues (2012) proposed a new instrument, the Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness (MAIA), which captures these different aspects of interoception with eight subscales. The aim of this study was to reexamine the dimensionality of the MAIA by applying maximum likelihood confirmatory factor analysis (ML-CFA), exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM), and Bayesian structural equation modeling (BSEM). ML-CFA, ESEM, and BSEM were examined in a sample of 320 German adults. ML-CFA showed a poor fit to the data. ESEM yielded a better fit and contained numerous significant cross-loadings, of which one was substantial (≥ .30). The BSEM model with approximate zero informative priors yielded an excellent fit and confirmed the substantial cross-loading found in ESEM. The study demonstrates that ESEM and BSEM are flexible techniques that can be used to improve our understanding of multidimensional constructs. In addition, BSEM can be seen as less exploratory than ESEM and it might also be used to overcome potential limitations of ESEM with regard to more complex models relative to the sample size.

How Communication in Organizations Is Related to Foci of Commitment and Turnover Intentions

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Sebastian Holzwarth ◽  
George Gunnesch-Luca ◽  
Roman Soucek ◽  
Klaus Moser
Keyword(s):  
Organizational Communication ◽  
Turnover Intention ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Affective Commitment ◽  
Turnover Intentions ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Confirmatory Factor ◽  
Communication In Organizations ◽  
Cohesion Theory

Abstract. The current study analyzes how two components of perceived organizational communication (vertical and horizontal) are related to employee turnover intentions via three types of affective commitment foci (organization, supervisor, and team). Using second-order confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling techniques with a large cross-sectional dataset ( n = 3,317), our results show that, in line with social cohesion theory, vertical communication (e.g., supportiveness from the organization) is strongly related to affective organizational commitment, whereas horizontal communication (e.g., supportiveness from colleagues) is primarily related to affective team commitment. Additionally, both communication dimensions are related to affective supervisory commitment. Finally, these three foci of affective commitment incrementally explain and differentially mediate the relationship between perceived organizational communication and turnover intention.

scholarly journals The influence of PSA's likeability on children’s intentions to eat healthy food

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valentina Nicolini ◽  
Fabio Cassia
Keyword(s):  
Public Service ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Positive Emotions ◽  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Public Service Announcements ◽  
Behavioural Intention ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Suggested Model ◽  
Non Profit ◽  
Social Messages

AbstractThis paper suggests a model that considers the effects of the children’s attitude toward Public Service Announcements—PSAs (measured through the likeability of PSAs) on their behavioural intention to eat fruits and vegetables. The suggested model was tested through an empirical analysis conducted with children aged 8 to 11 and the data were analysed through partial least squares – structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) multigroup analysis. The findings indicate that the positive emotions PSAs generate and PSA credibility mediate the effects of the children’s perceived likeability of PSAs on their behavioural intention to eat fruits and vegetables. Overall, understanding the connections between PSA likeability, positive emotions, PSA credibility and behavioural intentions can facilitate the development of further social advertisements aimed at children covering healthy eating. Therefore, the findings of this study are relevant for non-profit organizations, government institutions and advertisers interested in creating effective social messages aimed at children.

A Comparison of Reliability Estimation Based on Confirmatory Factor Analysis and Exploratory Structural Equation Models

2021 ◽  
pp. 001316442110089
Author(s):  
Yuanshu Fu ◽  
Zhonglin Wen ◽  
Yang Wang
Keyword(s):  
Factor Analysis ◽  
Confirmatory Factor Analysis ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Reliability Estimation ◽  
Model Fit ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Factor Loadings ◽  
Reliability Estimates ◽  
Confirmatory Factor ◽  
Composite Reliability

Composite reliability, or coefficient omega, can be estimated using structural equation modeling. Composite reliability is usually estimated under the basic independent clusters model of confirmatory factor analysis (ICM-CFA). However, due to the existence of cross-loadings, the model fit of the exploratory structural equation model (ESEM) is often found to be substantially better than that of ICM-CFA. The present study first illustrated the method used to estimate composite reliability under ESEM and then compared the difference between ESEM and ICM-CFA in terms of composite reliability estimation under various indicators per factor, target factor loadings, cross-loadings, and sample sizes. The results showed no apparent difference in using ESEM or ICM-CFA for estimating composite reliability, and the rotation type did not affect the composite reliability estimates generated by ESEM. An empirical example was given as further proof of the results of the simulation studies. Based on the present study, we suggest that if the model fit of ESEM (regardless of the utilized rotation criteria) is acceptable but that of ICM-CFA is not, the composite reliability estimates based on the above two models should be similar. If the target factor loadings are relatively small, researchers should increase the number of indicators per factor or increase the sample size.

scholarly journals The Psychology of Sharing: Multigroup Analysis among Users and Non-Users of Carsharing

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. 6842
Author(s):  
Érika Martins Silva Ramos ◽  
Cecilia Jakobsson Bergstad
Keyword(s):  
Travel Behavior ◽  
Psychological Factors ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Subjective Norms ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Intention To Use ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Confirmatory Factor ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
Multigroup Confirmatory Factor Analysis

The present study investigates the determinants of intention to use carsharing services by an integrated model of psychological predictors of travel behavior. The model proposed is tested by multigroup confirmatory factor analysis (MGCFA) in structural equation modeling (SEM) with further discussion about analysis of invariance and its relevance for comparisons between groups. The sample was classified into four groups: Italian users, Italian non-users, Swedish users, and Swedish non-users of carsharing. The users were respondents who have used or are currently using carsharing, while non-users reported never using the carsharing services. The analysis of data from 6072 respondents revealed that control was the main predictor of intention to use carsharing; driving habits had stronger negative effects for users of carsharing than for non-users; subjective norms positively predicted the intention to use carsharing among all groups; trust was a predictor of intention only for the Italian groups; and climate morality had a small negative effect on the Swedish groups only. The outcomes of this investigation will increase the knowledge about the use of carsharing and help to identify the behavioral and psychological factors that primarily influence people’s intention to use it.

Going through the motions

2016 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 149-175 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annamaria Kubovcikova
Keyword(s):  
Internal Consistency ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Multiple Indicators ◽  
Concept Definition ◽  
Confirmatory Factor ◽  
Reflective Measurement ◽  
Stability And Consistency

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to test the properties of the well-known three-dimensional adjustment scale, established by Black et al. (1988, 1989), namely, its dimensionality and internal consistency. The theoretical basis of the construct is discussed in relation to formative and reflective measurement approaches. Design/methodology/approach – Two different ways of organizing the adjustment items (random/non-random) were used to assess the internal consistency of the three-dimensional adjustment scale. The quantitative analysis presented is based on survey data from 468 assigned expatriates in Asia that were subjected to an exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis as well as a structural equation modeling – more specifically the multiple indicators multiple causes model (MIMIC). Findings – The study revealed that the adjustment construct is possibly misspecified, especially the general adjustment dimension, that was tested as a formative, not a reflective scale. There is further evidence that the wrong measurement approach skewed the coefficient that connects adjustment to performance, which is the key construct in its nomological network. Moreover, the dimensionality and the internal consistency of the scale are deteriorated to a large extent by randomization of the items. The findings highlight the need for a clear concept definition that would lead to an appropriate operationalization of the construct. Originality/value – The study is one of the few rigorously testing the properties of a construct that has been used for almost 30 years, thus yielding some novel conclusions about its stability and consistency.

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