PLS (Partial Least Squares) Methods

This cross-sectional study conducted to develop a model for predicting academic achievement of university students by investigating the relationship between teaching skills, academic emotions (positive and negative), and academic stress associated with Mindset (growth and fixed) using structural equation modeling. The statistical population consisted of 360 students of the Islamic Azad University of Hamedan who were selected randomly using a relative stratified method. The study was descriptive and correlational. The data were analyzed by SPSS version 25 and SmartPLS version 3.2.8. First, the validity of the model was estimated using Cronbach's alpha, composite reliability, convergent validity, and divergent validity; then, the coefficient of determination, effect size, and Stone-Geisser criterion were calculated for evaluating the structural model. The results showed that the validity and adequacy of the suggested model were suitable. Thus, it could be used in different situations by experts in related areas. The relationship between growth Mindset and academic achievement was significant; growth Mindset moderated the effect of negative emotion and stress on academic achievement the crucial role of professor skills in the academic achievement of students was confirmed directly or through its effect on positive emotion. The effect of teaching skills was not significant on the academic achievement of students with fixed Mindset, while the effect of academic stress confirmed on these students. Therefore, the identification of students with fixed Mindset and psychological interventions for these students can be useful in their academic achievement and their mental health.

Background: Medical image analysis in clinical practice is commonly carried out on 2D image data, without fully exploiting the detailed 3D anatomical information that is provided by modern non-invasive medical imaging techniques. In this paper, a statistical shape analysis method is presented, which enables the extraction of 3D anatomical shape features from cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) image data, with no need for manual landmarking. The method was applied to repaired aortic coarctation arches that present complex shapes, with the aim of capturing shape features as biomarkers of potential functional relevance. The method is presented from the user-perspective and is evaluated by comparing results with traditional morphometric measurements. Methods: Steps required to set up the statistical shape modelling analyses, from pre-processing of the CMR images to parameter setting and strategies to account for size differences and outliers, are described in detail. The anatomical mean shape of 20 aortic arches post-aortic coarctation repair (CoA) was computed based on surface models reconstructed from CMR data. By analysing transformations that deform the mean shape towards each of the individual patient's anatomy, shape patterns related to differences in body surface area (BSA) and ejection fraction (EF) were extracted. The resulting shape vectors, describing shape features in 3D, were compared with traditionally measured 2D and 3D morphometric parameters.

The increasing disparity of income level among countries has triggered a global discussion on how to minimize wealth gap among nations. Developed countries continue to progress while the developing ones stagnate or deteriorate further. Recognizing the extent of the problem, socially aware citizens organized numerous movements aimed at addressing this alarming issue, thus, paving the way to the formation of Fair Trade (FT).

Analytic potentials are built for all four 2S+1Πu/g states of Li2 dissociating to Li(2S) + Li(3P): 3b(33Πu), 3B(31Πu), 3C(31Πg), and 3d(33Πg). These potentials include the effect of spin-orbit coupling for large internuclear distances, and include state of the art long-range constants. This is the first successful demonstration of fully analytic diatomic potentials that capture features that are usually considered too difficult to capture without a point-wise potential, such as multiple minima, and shelves. Vibrational energies for each potential are presented for the isotopologues 6,6Li2, 6,7Li2, 7,7Li2, and the elusive `halo nucleonic molecule' 11,11Li2. These energies are claimed to be accurate enough for new high-precision experimental setups such as the one presented in {[}Sebastian \emph{et al.} Phys. Rev. A, \textbf{90}, 033417 (2014){]} to measure and assign energy levels of these electronic states, all of which have not yet been explored in the long-range region. Measuring energies in the long-range region of these electronic states may be significant for studying the ab initio vs experiment discrepancy discussed in [Tang et al. Phys. Rev. A, 84, 052502 (2014)] for the C3 long-range constant of Lithium, which has significance for improving the SI definition of the second.

The emission spectrum measured in the middle infrared (IR) band from the plume of a rocket can be used to identify rockets and track inbound missiles. It is useful to test the stealth properties of the IR fingerprint of a rocket during its design phase without needing to spend excessive amounts of money on field trials. The modelled predictions of the IR spectra from selected rocket motor design parameters therefore bear significant benefits in reducing the development costs.The emission spectrum measured in the middle infrared (IR) band from the plume of a rocket can be used to identify rockets and track inbound missiles. It is useful to test the stealth properties of the IR fingerprint of a rocket during its design phase without needing to spend excessive amounts of money on field trials. The modelled predictions of the IR spectra from selected rocket motor design parameters therefore bear significant benefits in reducing the development costs. In a recent doctorate study it was f...

A non-invasive blood glucose monitoring system with six laser diodes is used to obtain a total of 290 NIR spectra from the Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) experiment with the participation of a healthy volunteer over 4 days. Each laser diode operates at the discrete wavelengths between 1500nm and 1800nm with the power of 6mW each. A comparative analysis using the Partial Least Squares (PLS) model and the Neural Network (NN) model is studied. The study shows that the NN model performs better than the PLS model due to the presence of nonlinearity in the collected data. The presence of the nonlinearity is tested by using the Durbin-Watson test. ©2009 IEEE.

https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/xpls/abs_all.jsp?arnumber=5384079

You Tube has become a vital platform, amongst other social-media sites, especially in e-learning / self-learning and in the unforeseen time of COVID-19. This study explores the influence of YouTube videos on users' behavioral intention regarding e-learning acceptance and their perceptions through targeting online university students (n=180) in Jordan, using the PLS-SEM procedure through SmartPLS software. The findings indicated that users' behavioral intention to adopt new e-learning was positively influenced by performance expectancy, perceived usefulness and ease-of-use. The findings were presented and discussed in relation to the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and UTATU frameworks.

Alzheimer’s disease(AD) is a neurological disease. It affects memory. The livelihood of the people that are
diagnosed with AD. In this paper, we have discussed various imaging modalities, feature selection and
extraction, segmentation and classification techniques.

OPEN ACCESS: https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s12208-021-00287-2.pdf

This 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.

This study aims to predict the level of international tourists' intention to use MTG in the context of Thai national parks, and investigates the roles of mobile design qualities (content quality, appearance quality, and interaction quality) through perceived usefulness and perceived ease-of-use on intention. The mixed-method using exploratory sequential design is the research method. The qualitative approach is started in the first stage then quantitative approach is analysed the large sample size. This study extends the TAM2 with mobile design qualities. The results shows the high level of international tourist' intention to use MTG. It indicates that the international tourists will intent to the mobile tourism guide (MTG), if the MTG is provided for them. The direct factors of tourists' intention are perceived usefulness, perceived ease-of-use, mobile content quality and mobile appearance quality. The most direct effect is mobile content quality. The qualities of content and appearance have the positive roles on perceived usefulness, while the qualities of appearance and interaction have the indirect effects through perceived ease-of-use on tourists' intention. The proposed model provides the body of knowledge in the context of MTG, especially the factors of international tourists' intention to use MTG.

Hospitality service personalization presents a set of challenges that are unique to the hospitality service industry, due basically, to the inseparability between the moment of production and the moment delivery of the service. Which implies a very limited management input within the moment of service delivery. This challenges arise further in a customizations era where service personalization is a must. Selina as a Global brand recognizes the need of service personalization and acknowledges the challenges within the process of standardization of personalization. Thus the need of establishing a standardize set of tools for management to deliver service personalization.
This study focuses on determining in an exploratory manner, if there are latent variables in with which Selina´s management can guaranty the delivery of standardized service personalization. As an exploratory study it has been conducted in only one of the countries where Selina operates, Ecuador, where Selina holds 3 operating hotels at the time of the study.
The data obtained through the study is analyzed trough path modeling PLS-SEM through SmartPLS3

Resumen: Este estudio tiene por objetivo proponer una metodología de uso de regresiones de mínimos cuadrados parciales, ejemplificada a través de un caso de aceptación de tecnologías de información. En particular, la predicción del uso de las bases de datos científicas por estudiantes universitarios chilenos es utilizado como ejemplo. El modelo teórico propuesto se basa en la teoría unificada de aceptación y uso de la tecnología (Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology, UTAUT). La originalidad del caso elegido reside en ajustar UTAUT para el uso opcional de las bases de datos científicas, y además, en especificar a las habilidades informacionales del estudiante como condiciones facilitadoras. Los resultados del caso indicar la buena capacidad predictiva del modelo propuesto. Palabras clave: Metodología, Regresiones de mínimos cuadrados parciales, UTAUT, Bases de datos científicas Methodological proposal for applying structural equation modeling with PLS: The case of the use of scientific databases in university students Abstract: Purpose of this study is to explain the methodology of use of partial least squares, exemplified by a case of accepting information technology. In particular, the prediction of the use of scientific databases by Chilean university students is used as an example. The proposed theoretical model is based on the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT). The originality of the case chosen is to adjust UTAUT for optional use of scientific databases, and also to specify the information skills of students as facilitating conditions. The results of the case indicate good predictive capacity of the proposed model.

BACKGROUND: Conventional techniques used for determination of extractable poly(hydroxyalkanoate)s (PHAs) present in the cells, are laborious and destructive. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy is an indirect analytical method to study molecular structures and has been used for the detection and quantification of PHA in intact cells. However, to obtain a fine powder with pure PHA to prepare KBr pellets is a difficult task. The objective of this study was to develop a cheap alternative for quantifying the extractable intracellular PHA, based on a pulverizable solid as a standard material (PEM: Pre Extraction Material) produced by Bacillus megaterium BBST4 strain, instead of pure PHA produced by the same strain. Through statistical analysis the correlation between sample content and its FTIR spectra were determined. The proposed methodology employs typical MID-FTIR equipment and KBr pellets for spectra determination.
RESULTS: Small root-mean-standard errors of prediction of the amount of extractable PHA were obtained using partial least square regression (PLSR1). In order to simplify the determination process, a simple linear regression analysis (SLRA) was also developed, and satisfactory correlations were found.
CONCLUSIONS: Results from PLSR1 and SLRA, calibrated with the proposed standard, indicate that it is a simple, fast and reliable alternative of fitting for determining the extractable PHA in unknown lyophilized cell samples.

Large organizations, including listed businesses, financial service providers as well as public services entities are increasingly disclosing information on their environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues through corporate websites or via social media. Therefore, this research uses valid measures from the Elaboration Likelihood Model (ELM) to explore the individuals' attitudes toward online corporate social responsibility (CSR) communications. The data was gathered from a structured questionnaire among three hundred ninety-two respondents (n=392). A structural equations modeling partial least squares (SEM-PLS 3) approach was used to analyze the data. The findings revealed that the timeliness, relevance and accuracy of information as well as the source expertise were highly significant antecedents that were affecting the research participants' attitudes toward CSR communications. This contribution implies that there is scope for content curators to publish quality online information on their business activities to improve their trustworthiness and positive credentials among stakeholders.

La cadena de suministro tiene varios procesos, uno de los primeros es el abastecimiento de materiales provenientes del proveedor al almacén del productor y se deduce que tiene una
gran importancia en el desempeño de la misma y en la zona fronteriza de México con Estados Unidos de América, específicamente en Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, se han establecido muchas empresas maquiladoras que aprovechando el tratado  de libre comercio entre los
países, manufacturan una gran variedad de artículos en varios sectores industriales. Estas empresas por lo general adquieren las materias primas de otros países y de la misma manera, los productos terminados se exportan, principalmente a EUA y Canadá; aunque también a varios países europeos.
Por  lo  anterior,  la  logística  asociada  con  el  movimiento  de  materias  primas  y  productos terminados es un tema de vital importancia para las empresas, por lo que en este artículo
se reportan los resultados de aplicar un cuestionario a empresas manufactureras establec idas en Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua,  en el que se evalúan las dimensiones de logística  tradicional,  logística internacional, abastecimiento y administración del inventario, así como  el impacto que tienen éstas  sobre índices de desempeño de la cadena de suministro, para lo cual se usó un modelo de ecuaciones estructurales para relacionar las variables y obtener una medición de los efectos directos.
Se ha encontrado que el buen manejo de inventarios es la única variable independiente que tiene un efecto directo sobre  la eficiencia de la cadena de suministro, lo cual se ve reflej ado
en mejor satisfacción de los clientes.

The consumer electronics retail industry is a highly competitive market and has many past casualties such as CompUSA, RadioShack, Circuit City, and others. Apple Inc. opened the Apple Store to showcase its product line. Then, Microsoft entered the market and opened the Microsoft Store.

The purpose of this study is to investigate and compare the Apple Store and the Microsoft Store, as well as their position in the market-place from a consumer standpoint. First, the researchers wanted to investigate and compare consumer behavior differences between the Apple Store and the Microsoft Store. Second, the researchers wanted to conduct comparative analyses to measure customer engagement between the two retailers using a 10-point metric for their research. The researchers developed a 15-item instrument that consists of two analytics: (a) Customer Behavior and (b) Retailer Behavior. This study used a quantitative methods design. The researchers also conducted observational research on the retailers for this study. Four statistical tests on the data were conducted as well as a cross-tabulation, t-test, chi-square analysis, and partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM).

The researchers split into to two teams to collect data: The Apple Team and the Microsoft Team. The re-search teams collected data from seven states and six cities. The data consisted of a sample (N = 52) of stores nationwide. The study uncovered some significant findings in the research comparing the two retailers. Based on the results of the research as evidenced on the four analytics, the Apple Store significantly outperformed the Microsoft Store. The findings of the study further indicated that the Apple Store overwhelmingly outperformed the Microsoft Store in terms of store attributes. The Apple Store had a 2-to-1 ratio of positive attributes compared to the Microsoft Store. The Microsoft Store has struggled competing against the Apple Store. This is evident in the results of our findings in the study. The marketplace is highly competitive and there are several cautionary tales of failure with past retailers in a similar market space. The Apple Store has a proven success pattern against the Microsoft Store in the highly competitive consumer electronics retail industry.

This paper employs the resource-based view as a theoretical lens to empirically explore how the information technology (IT) outsourcing orientation of an organization impacts its competitive advantage. The study develops a research model to explore the impact of five IT outsourcing orientations (Cost, Flexibility, Innovation, Quality, and Time) on the competitive position of firms. A survey of 115 hotels that practice IT outsourcing was conducted to test the research model. The results of the study revealed that three outsourcing orientations (Flexibility, Innovation, and Time) created all three types of competitive advantage (Cost Leadership advantages, Differentiation advantages, and Focus advantages). Meanwhile Quality outsourcing orientation created Differentiation and Focus advantages, whilst Cost outsourcing orientation generated only Cost leadership advantages. The study therefore recommends that Flexibility, Innovation, and Time should receive more attention by both researchers and managers given that they are more effective in creating competitive advantages for firms practicing IT outsourcing.

Purpose: Passion is essential for effective and high-quality teaching. A passionate teacher is one with the updated growing knowledge inspiring the students in a classroom, by making learning excited. The objective of the study was to analyze whether the teachers were teaching out-of-field and to analyze what type of passion influences them. Design/methodology/approach: 241 teachers working in Higher Education Institutions in Oman participate in the survey. Structural Equation Modeling was used to analyze the data. Findings: The empirical results reveal that the teachers sometimes do out-of-field teaching. The Basic Passion qualities and Harmonious Passion qualities help to improve the Effects of Passion based learning in classroom teaching. It is also revealed that the teachers need to increase Harmonious passion rather than Obsessive passion as it might result in burnout or disengagement in the long run. Practical Implications: The study suggested that the teachers should make emotional attachments with the students, not to criticize anyone, rather encourage them for innovation & creativity, and should allow enough time to learn by making a conducive environment. Originality/value: The research work is of its first kind as it focuses on the impact of Passion-based teaching in the classroom using the SEM-PLS approach which has suggested means for effective teaching.

O objeto do presente estudo são os abalones, molus-cos comestíveis, o qual visa realizar a predição de suas respectivas idades, a qual exige que a concha do animal seja cortada para a contagem dos seus anés, o que não pode ser feito com o animal vivo. Então, objetiva-se aplicar técnicas de regressão linear, modelos penalizados e PLS para gerar um modelo linear tendo suas características físicas como entrada, bem como avaliar a precisão das predições obtidas.

ABSTRACT This study extends our knowledge on co-creation of value in higher education. The paper examines the relationship between support, co-creation of value and students’ satisfaction, as well as moderating factors including mode of study and fee status, via 979 survey responses from undergraduate students. Analysis using partial least squares found support to be important in determining co-creation of value and, in turn, student satisfaction. Results indicated that student satisfaction is positively influenced through students accessing support mechanisms and their active involvement in co-creation of value activities. Our findings further reveal that fee-paying students are more satisfied when they participate in co-creation activities and access support mechanisms. No significant differences between transnational and domestic students are found.

Purpose: The objectives of the study were to investigate the causes of the delays to analyze the factors causing the construction delay in Oman and to investigate the effects of such delays. Design/methodology/approach: To carry out this study 210 samples were collected through a well-defined questionnaire from the construction stakeholders viz. the consultants, contractors, and the clients who were selected on a random sampling basis. Smart PLS for Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) technique was used to analyze the data to obtain the formative measurement models, the structured model, and the goodness of fit. Findings: The results of the study reveal that the client-related factors, equipment-related factors, and material related factors have a significant impact on the completion delay in construction projects. The findings of the study also revealed that the Client related factors were-Delay in providing services, Delayed decision-making process, Allocation of insufficient time. Equipment related factors were-Existing low productive equipment, Unskillful Equipment operator, Breakdown of equipment and Outdated equipment; Material related factors were-Delay in supply of raw materials, Non-availability of materials, Change of materials during construction, Non-availability of accessories and Damaged materials. Research limitations/Implications: The present study covers the stakeholders of the construction projects from selected regions only. The future studies can be extended to other projects and other regions as well. Social implications: The study suggested that the clients' cooperation especially in providing the contractors with the necessary equipment, facilities, and sufficient time will avoid such delays of the construction projects in Oman. Originality/Value: Only very few have examined the completion delay of the construction projects in Oman using SEM-PLS and it is a first-hand study of its kind and the results will be useful to the stakeholders.

Los turistas urbanos se caracterizan por ser uno de los segmentos de mayor crecimiento en los mercados turísticos actuales. Monterrey
(México), uno de los principales destinos urbanos del país, ha apostado en la actualidad por mejorar su competitividad. Esta investigación se propuso encontrar evidencia acerca de la relación causal de la motivación de viaje sobre la imagen percibida del destino, dos variables importantes por su influencia en la satisfacción de los visitantes. Una revisión de la literatura permitió proponer constructos teóricos integrados en un instrumento para la recogida de datos vía encuesta a una muestra representativa. Por medio del método de regresión y ecuaciones estructurales por mínimos cuadrados parciales (PLS), se identificaron los componentes principales de ambas variables y se obtuvo un modelo explicativo de la Imagen percibida del destino en función de la motivación de viaje. Finalmente, se emiten recomendaciones para la gestión del destino urbano en función de los resultados obtenidos.

LỜI NÓI ĐẦU

Ngày nay, việc vận dụng các phương pháp nghiên cứu khoa học trong kinh doanh không còn là chuyện riêng của các học viên cao học và nghiên cứu sinh đang theo đuổi các bậc học sau đại học, mà cả các doanh nghiệp cũng đang rất cần những kết quả nghiên cứu đáng tin cậy, để hỗ trợ ra quyết định ở tất cả các cấp, trong môi trường kinh doanh hội nhập toàn cầu, và cạnh tranh ngày càng gay gắt. Đòi hỏi kiến thức và kỹ năng kinh doanh, ngày nay, cần kết hợp với kiến thức và kỹ năng nghiên cứu khoa học, để hình thành nên lợi thế cạnh tranh bền vững, giúp cá nhân và doanh nghiệp vững bước đến tương lai.
Học phần “Phương pháp nghiên cứu khoa học trong kinh doanh” giới thiệu phương pháp luận, cũng như những vấn đề về nghiên cứu thực nghiệm, cũng như những ứng dụng trong nghiên cứu thực nghiệm trong lãnh vực xã hội, đặc biệt trong các lãnh vực kinh doanh.
Chính vì thế, mục đích của học phần này là để giúp cho học viên có cách tiếp cận phù hợp với việc vận dụng các kiến thức về phương pháp nghiên cứu khoa học trong bối cảnh kinh doanh hiện đại, đòi hỏi vận dụng nhiều thông tin từ các kết quả nghiên cứu hơn.
Trong bối cảnh đó, giáo trình cao học “Phương pháp nghiên cứu khoa học trong kinh doanh - Cập nhật SmartPLS” được biên soạn nhằm đáp ứng nhu cầu học tập, trước hết của học viên, nghiên cứu sinh các ngành quản lý và kinh doanh nói chung, cùng những ngành có liên quan, cũng như đáp ứng nhu cầu tham khảo của độc giả, giới doanh nhân, và của những người đang làm việc liên quan đến các hoạt động kinh doanh hiện đại.“ Phương pháp nghiên cứu khoa học trong kinh doanh - Cập nhật SmartPLS” là giáo trình cao học được biên soạn trên cơ sở kiến thức của học phần “Phương pháp nghiên cứu khoa học trong kinh doanh”, có cập nhật ứng dụng mới nhất về SmartPLS, bao gồm 3 phần chính, 10 chương.
 Phần I (Chương 1, 2, 3): Tổng quan về nghiên cứu
 Phần II (Chương 4, 5, 6, 7): Một số vấn đề nghiên cứu thực nghiệm
 Phần III (Chương 8, 9, 10): Một số ứng dụng nghiên cứu thực nghiệm
Các chương được sắp xếp theo trình tự nội dung trước là luận cứ đưa đến nội dung sau. Cuối mỗi chương đều có câu hỏi ôn tập và thảo luận, để người đọc có thể tự giải quyết, nắm chắc nội dung đã trình bày trong chương. Người đọc, đặc biệt là nghiên cứu sinh, và học viên cao học, có thể sử dụng giáo trình đồng thời với sách chuyên khảo “Tránh và Khắc phục sai sót trong thực hiện luận văn Kinh doanh và Quản lý tại Việt Nam” để có thể vận dụng kiến thức tốt nhất khi thực hiện Luận án, Luận văn.
Giáo trình cao học “Phương pháp nghiên cứu khoa học trong kinh doanh - Cập nhật SmartPLS” là sản phẩm từ quá trình làm việc nghiêm túc của nhóm tác giả, kết hợp với sự kế thừa, tiếp thu, tham khảo nhiều tài liệu khác nhau, trong nước, ngoài nước; cùng với kinh nghiệm giảng dạy nhiều năm, nhiều chương trình khác nhau ở nhiều trường, cũng như thực hiện các đề tài nghiên cứu cũng như thực tiễn có liên quan, đồng thời tham khảo kinh nghiệm thực tế của nhiều đồng nghiệp, học viên.
Chúng tôi xin trân trọng cảm ơn những tác giả đi trước, nhất là các tác giả có tên trong danh mục tài liệu tham khảo cuối sách. Bên cạnh đó, chúng tôi xin gởi lời cảm ơn chân thành đến Hội đồng Khoa học và Đào tạo Học viện Hàng không Việt Nam đã tạo điều kiện, hỗ trợ chúng tôi hoàn thành giáo trình cao học. Chúng tôi xin cảm ơn gia đình, bạn bè, học viên, nghiên cứu sinh, doanh nghiệp đã nhiệt tình ủng hộ chúng tôi thực hiện giáo trình. Vì nguồn lực và thời gian có hạn, giáo trình không thể tránh khỏi những khiếm khuyết nhất định. Chúng tôi luôn quan tâm lắng nghe, và biết ơn những đóng góp từ toàn thể người đọc gần xa.

PGS. TS. Hà Nam Khánh Giao
TS. Bùi Nhất Vương

The common steps to calibrate and validate classification models based on partial least squares discriminant analysis are discussed in the present tutorial. All issues to be evaluated during model training and validation are introduced and explained using a chemical dataset, composed of toxic and non-toxic sediment samples. The analysis was carried out with MATLAB routines, which are available in the ESI † of this tutorial, together with the dataset and a detailed list of all MATLAB instructions used for the analysis.

This research contributes to customer satisfaction knowledge with regard to accommodation in South Africa whose star grading differs. A multi-group analysis and an importanceperformance map analysis by means of PLS-SEM allow us to differentiate between service quality performance scores and their influences on customer satisfaction across accommodation with a different star grading. The two most important predictors of satisfaction with one-star and two-star category accommodation are the accommodation infrastructure and the employee expertise. Both predictors were found to have relatively low levels of performance. Safety and security and room quality are two significant determinants of satisfaction with three-star establishments, although they under-perform with regard to safety and security. In respect of four-star and five-star accommodation, waiting time and customer interaction, both of which have above average performance scores, influence customer satisfaction. We provide specific guidelines for managerial interventions to improve service quality and guests' satisfaction for each grading category.

Fiyat tüketiciler için önemli bir satın alma karar değişkenidir. Fiyatın tüketicilerin kararları üzerindeki etkisini bilen işletmeler mal ve hizmetlerinin satışlarını arttırmak amacıyla sık sık fiyat indirimleri,
promosyonlar, tutundurma kampanyaları ile tüketicileri satın almaya teşvik etmeye çalışırlar. Bu çalışmada artık tüm dünyaca bilinen ve ülkemizde de yaygınlaşan Black Friday indirim kampanyasının tüketicilerin satın alma davranışı üzerindeki etkisi ortaya konulmaya çalışılmıştır. Bu bağlamda Sivas ili şehir merkezinde yaşayan kolayda örnekleme yöntemiyle belirlenmiş 392 kişi ile yüz yüze anket tekniği
kullanılarak toplanan veriler Bağımsız Örneklemler T Testi, Tek Yönlü Varyans Analizi, Doğrulayıcı Faktör Analizi ve Yol Analizi ile test edilmiştir. Analiz sonuçlarına göre indirim kampanyaları tüketicilerin satın alma davranışları üzerinde pozitif ve anlamlı bir etkiye sahiptir. Yine indirim kampanyalarına yönelik tutumlar demografik değişkenlere göre
farklılık göstermektedir. Black Friday kampanyasını uygulayan işletmeler, daha başarılı olabilmeleri için tüketicilere karşı dürüst olmaları, aldatıcı fiyat politikaları uygulamamaları, taleplere ve yoğunluğa cevap verebilmeleri konularındaki istekleri dikkate almaları önerilir. Bu çalışma Türkiye’de uygulanan Black Friday kampanyasının tüketici davranışları
üzerindeki etkisini YEM analizi ile ortaya koyarak ilgili literatürü genişletmektedir.

After many years of working with undergraduate, postgraduate and research students we recognise only too well the struggles that they often experience wrestling with the somewhat strange and seemingly obtuse language used to describe research philosophy. We once experienced similar difficulties and empathise with the confusion and lack of confidence that flows from being unclear whether you have really understood terms such as methodology, ontology or epistemology. We set out to produce a text that dealt with two problems. The first was to provide something that guides novice researchers through the whole process from identifying a topic to the writing up of findings via engagement with the literature and a brief overview of both qualitative and quantitative techniques. The second problem we wanted to tackle related to what we often refer to as ‘the ologies’. Here we wanted to offer a structured approach to familiarising yourself with the terminology and to demonstrate how a nested set of descriptions builds towards a coherent, comprehensive and consistent articulation of your research paradigm.

We are indebted to our colleagues for their help in delivering on the first
of these two problems in the first edition of the book. This was achieved at a pace which seemed frankly ridiculous but which produced a remarkably coherent guide for novice researchers. Despite positive feedback on many aspects of the first edition from both students and colleagues, we were however convinced that we could improve in relation to ‘the ologies’.

For this reason, the second edition features some relatively minor
changes to many chapters and a complete rewrite of our account of research philosophy. Central to the revised text is the methods map (see Chapter 4), which sets out a logical process for researchers to articulate their position in relation to five key aspects of their research philosophy. We have road tested this approach with many colleagues and students to ensure that it is clear and concise. In addition, we have developed a free app to accompany the book and this enables novice researcher to quickly develop a comprehensive justification of their particular research design in an interactive way. We would acknowledge that the methods map makes some simplifications and would suggest that for all but the most sophisticated of purposes, this is entirely appropriate. Indeed, if you are well enough versed in the philosophical nuances of knowledge explored in the method map then you are probably not part of our intended audience since you already possess the skills, confidence and capacity to articulate and defend the underpinning philosophical assumptions of your research. For everyone else, we hope that the second edition of Research Methods for Business and Management helps demystify the dreaded ‘ologies’.

OPEN ACCESS: https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/TQM-11-2019-0260/full/html

Purpose
Recently, many firms have reshored manufacturing activities back to their home countries to increase customer perceptions of product quality. However, there is no evidence that relocating production to the home country improves customer-perceived quality. This study intends to address this gap by assessing the variations between pre- and post-reshoring product quality, as perceived by domestic customers.
Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected through a questionnaire, which used the case of an Italian fashion brand that had reshored its manufacturing from Romania to Italy as the stimulus. Two analyses of the collected data (n = 399) were conducted, applying both 2 × 2 × 2 factorial design and partial least squares–structural equation modelling (PLS–SEM) multigroup analysis.
Findings
Reshoring increased the level of perceived product quality only for customers that both were aware of the firm’s past offshoring decision and had high levels of affective ethnocentrism. For all other customers, no significant variations between pre- and post-reshoring product quality were observed.
Research limitations/implications
This study challenges previous findings, revealing that only a minor share of customers perceived products to be of higher quality after reshoring.
Practical implications
Increasing customer-perceived quality may not be a sufficient motivation to select the reshoring strategy. In addition, when announcing reshoring strategies, producers should appeal to customers’ emotions and not use rational arguments about objective product quality.
Originality/value
This is the first study to assess variations between pre- and post-reshoring customer-perceived quality and to identify factors that explain such variations.

Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy in combination with multivariate data analysis is introduced for the quality control and authenticity assessment of spirit drinks and beer in official food control. The spectra were measured using a FTIR interferometer, which is purpose-built for the analysis of alcoholic beverages and includes an injection unit for liquids with automatic thermostating of the sample. Only 2 min are required for FTIR measurement. For spirit drinks, no sample preparation is required at all. Carbon dioxide containing samples, such as beer were prepared by degassing.

This paper summarizes a research study that explored how critical thinking skills influence user preferences and the perceived usefulness of data visualizations found in business intelligence systems (BIS) as well as potential areas for future research. Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) served as the primary analysis methodology. Two survey instruments were utilized. The first instrument focused on how one uses data visualizations, while the second instrument, a validated critical thinking skill assessment, focused on five dimensions of critical thinking. A survey population of n = 45 was utilized for both surveys, producing research findings with a minimum R2 value of 0.50 and a significance level of 5%. The inclusion criteria for the survey population were utilization of data visualizations and participation in the operations of a small business. The findings showed no statistically significant moderating relationship between critical thinking skills and the perceived usefulness of or users’ preference for certain types of business data visualizations. This exploratory research provided a starting point for future PLS-SEM conceptual models focusing on insight generation via pathways of contradiction, connection, and related heuristic decision-making processes or biases that occur in the context of data visualizations.

This research contributes to customer satisfaction knowledge with regard to accommodation in South Africa whose star grading differs. A multi-group analysis and an importance-performance map analysis by means of PLS-SEM allow us to differentiate between service quality performance scores and their influence on customer satisfaction across accommodation with a different start grading. The two most important predictors of satisfaction with one-star and two-star category accommodation are the accommodation infrastructure and the employee expertise. Both predictors were found to have relatively low levels of performance. Safety and security and room quality are two significant determinants of satisfaction with three-star establishments, although they under-perform with regard to safety and security. In respect of four-star and five-star accommodation, waiting time and customer interaction, both of which have an above average performance score, influence customer satisfaction. We provide specific guidelines for managerial interventions to improve service quality and guests’ satisfaction for each grading category.

SmartPLS is one of the prominent software applications for Partial Least Squares Structural
Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). It was developed by Ringle, Wende & Will (2005). The software has
gained popularity since its launch in 2005 not only because it is freely available to academics and
researchers, but also because it has a friendly user interface and advanced reporting features.
Although an extensive number of journal articles have been published on the topic of PLS modeling,
the amount of instructional materials available for this software is limited. This paper is written to
address this knowledge gap and help beginners to understand how PLS-SEM can be used in
marketing research.

Pemodelan persamaan structural umumnya menggunakan Linear Structural Relationship, Metode pendugaan yang umumnya digunakan adalah metode Maksimum Likelihood. Pendugaan parameter dengan metode ML dalam LISREL membutuhkan berapa asumsi kritis seperti ukuran sampel minimal 10 kali banyaknya indikaor atau lebih dari 100 unit pengamatan, data menyebar mengikuti sebaran normal. LISREL menyediakan beberapa pendekatan yang dapat digunakan dalam pendugaan paremeter model, diantaranya dengan Bootstrap atau menggunakan metode Weighted Least Square. Namun, kedua pendekatan ini tetap membutuhkan data yang relative besar sehingga untuk model yang kompleks dengan ukuran sampel yang relative kecil dan data tidak menyebar normal dibutuhkan suatu pendekatan baru. Salah satu pendekatan baru yang diperkenalkan oleh Herman Wold, adalah Partial Least Square (PLS) dan sering disebut soft modeling. Dengan menggunakan PLS dimungkinkan melakukan pemodelan persamaan structural dengan ukuran sampel relative kecil dan tidak membuhkan asumsi normal multivariate. Kata Kunci: SEM, PLS PENDAHULUAN Pemodelan persamaan structural yang sering disebut dengan Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) atau Linear Structural Relationship (LISREL). SEM pendekatan terintegrasi antara Analisis Faktor, Model Struktural dan Analisis Path. LISREL sangat membantu penelitian dalam konfirmasi model penelitian yang melibatkan variabel laten. SEM banyak digunakan dalam berbagai bidang ilmu khususnya dalam ilmu-ilmu sosial untuk melihat keterkaitan antara variabel penelitian. Metode pendugaan yang umumnya digunakan adalah metode Maksimum Likelihood. Pendugaan parameter dengan metode ML dalam LISREL membutuhkan berapa asumsi kritis seperti ukuran sampel minimal 10 kali banyaknya indikaor atau lebih dari 100 unit pengamatan, data menyebar mengikuti sebaran normal multivariate. LISREL menyediakan beberapa pendekatan yang dapat digunakan dalam pendugaan paremeter model jika data tidak menyebar Semnas Matematika dan Pendidikan Matematika 2008 1 -118 Semnas Matematika dan Pendidikan Matematika 2008 1 -119

The paper studies the impact of talent management on organisational performance in multinational corporations through applying management development and strategic HR inputs, and to evaluate the mediating role of employee engagement in the strategic HR inputs and organisational performance relationship. An online survey was distributed among managers of the first ten global multinational corporations listed by Fortune magazine 2013 and 498 responses were collected. The respondents were selected through LinkedIn using stratified sampling. PLS-SEM was used to test the hypothesised relationships of the model. The result shows a positive relationship between (1) MD Index and organisational performance, (2) strategic HR and organisational performance, and (3) employee engagement and organisational performance. Utilising PLS path modelling to evaluate structural model including higher-order component (MD Index) is highly original. The paper emphasises the importance of engagement as a mediator of the relationship between strategic HR and organisational performance in the talent management context.

Most economists believe that an increase in savings will flourish the growth of economic activities and further strengthening the economy of that particular nation. However, recent news report stated that household debts in Malaysia have gradually risen to 86.8% of its GDP, making it the most highly levered households in Asia. As a result, total household savings remained insufficient and they are mostly under prepared for retirement. What is more worrying is the young adults are reported to be the main group trapped into this financial complexity. This issue has raised concern on the needs to educate the young adults the fundamental value of supplementing their savings in order to ensure sufficiency of their future retirement income. With regard to savings behaviour, the needs of savings amongst individuals differ from one to another as a result of different mind-set, behaviour, knowledge, and social environment. The research therefore intends to (i) investigate factors that influence savings behaviour amongst university and college students; and (ii) to examine the role of financial attitudes in mediating the relationship between financial literacy and savings behaviour. Structured questionnaires were distributed to 1728 undergraduate students studying at higher learning institutions across major cities in Sabah using convenient sampling technique. Structural equation modelling was applied using the SMART-PLS software v.2.0 to execute the analyses. Results revealed that family involvement, peer influence, self-control and financial literacy play an important role in nurturing students' savings behaviour. In addition, students are said to have more favourable financial attitude when they are financially literate. Financial attitude however, does not have the mediation effect on the relationship between financial literacy and savings behaviour.

This study aims at investigating the effect of Accounting Information System (AIS) on organizational performance and the moderating effect of organizational culture in the relationship between AIS success factors and organizational performance. Four types of AIS success factors namely service quality; information quality, data quality and system quality have been used in this study as the determinants performance. Data were collected with a structured questionnaire survey from 273 respondents in Jordanian banking sector. The collected data were analysed with PLS SEM technique. The findings revealed that service quality, information quality and system quality are the significant AIS success factors for increasing organizational performance. This study also evidenced that organizational culture helps increase performance by interacting with information quality, data quality and system quality. It can be inferred from this study that organizations involved in banking sectors can increase their performance by adopting and implementing AIS success factors along with practicing favourable organizational culture. Therefore, firms should cultivate a favourable environment so that employees feel happy which motivates them to work more devotedly with the organizations.

Industrial sector is one of the biggest contributors to environmental degradation which concerns in making a green sustainability business. The implementation of Green Manufacturing in the world faces obstacles to gain profit rather than to improve or develop. Manufacturing companies have to develop Green human resources management (GHRM) as a HRM application for minimizing the negative impact caused by the activities in all business processes. The main objective of this research is to investigate the relationship between Green Competency, Green Motivation, and Green Employee Involvement, with Environment Performance, and to examine how the organization can increase their Environmental Performance. To gain better understanding for environmental performance, research uses Organizational Citizenship Behaviour towards Environment to moderating the relationship between Green Competency, Green Motivation, and Green Employee Involvement, with Environment Performance. Quantitative method is applied and the primary data is collected using a questionnaire using a 5 point likert scale. Analysis using Structural Equation Modelling to investigate a sample of 100 Head Office employees in one of a manufacturing company in Indonesia. Results of the study reveal that Green Motivation and Employee Involvement has a positive impact on Environmental Performance. The finding of this study will be used as references for the Human Resource Division to make programs to enhance company environmental performance.