Purpose: This paper discusses partial least squares path modeling (PLS), a powerful structural equation modeling technique for research on international marketing. While a significant body of research provides guidance for the use of covariance-based structural equation modeling (CBSEM) in international marketing, there are no subject-specific guidelines for the use of PLS so far.Methodology/approach: A literature review of the use of PLS in international marketing reveals the increasing application of this methodology.Findings: This paper reveals the strengths and weaknesses of PLS in the context of research on international marketing, and provides guidance for multi-group analysis.Originality/value of paper: The paper assists researchers in making well-grounded decisions regarding the application of PLS in certain research situations and provides specific implications for an appropriate application of the methodology.

The Use of Partial Least Squares Path Modeling in International Marketing

This paper extends the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) to study acceptance and use of technology in a consumer context. Our proposed UTAUT2 incorporates three constructs into UTAUT: hedonic motivation, price value, and habit. Individual differences--namely, age, gender, and experience--are hypothesized to moderate the effects of these constructs on behavioral intention and technology use. Results from a two-stage online survey, with technology use data collected four months after the first survey, of 1,512 mobile Internet consumers supported our model. Compared to UTAUT, the extensions proposed in UTAUT2 produced a substantial improvement in the variance explained in behavioral intention (56 percent to 74 percent) and technology use (40 percent to 52 percent). The theoretical and managerial implications of these results are discussed.

/pdf/consumer-acceptance-and-use-of-information-technology-4i09z552kr.pdf

Consumer acceptance and use of information technology: extending the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology

Most methodological fields undertake regular critical reflections to ensure rigorous research and publication practices, and, consequently, acceptance in their domain. Interestingly, relatively little attention has been paid to assessing the use of partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) in marketing research—despite its increasing popularity in recent years. To fill this gap, we conducted an extensive search in the 30 top ranked marketing journals that allowed us to identify 204 PLS-SEM applications published in a 30-year period (1981 to 2010). A critical analysis of these articles addresses, amongst others, the following key methodological issues: reasons for using PLS-SEM, data and model characteristics, outer and inner model evaluations, and reporting. We also give an overview of the interdependencies between researchers’ choices, identify potential problem areas, and discuss their implications. On the basis of our findings, we provide comprehensive guidelines to aid researchers in avoiding common pitfalls in PLS-SEM use. This study is important for researchers and practitioners, as PLS-SEM requires several critical choices that, if not made correctly, can lead to improper findings, interpretations, and conclusions.

An assessment of the use of partial least squares structural equation modeling in marketing research

In order to determine the status quo of PLS path modeling in international marketing research, we conducted an exhaustive literature review. An evaluation of double-blind reviewed journals through important academic publishing databases (e.g., ABI/Inform, Elsevier ScienceDirect, Emerald Insight, Google Scholar, PsycINFO, Swetswise) revealed that more than 30 academic articles in the domain of international marketing (in a broad sense) used PLS path modeling as means of statistical analysis. We assessed what the main motivation for the use of PLS was in respect of each article. Moreover, we checked for applications of PLS in combination with one or more additional methods, and whether the main reason for conducting any additional method(s) was mentioned.

/pdf/the-use-of-partial-least-squares-path-modeling-in-3soa8bk804.pdf

The use of partial least squares path modeling in international marketing

This paper extends the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) to study acceptance and use of technology in a consumer context. Our proposed UTAUT2 incorporates three constructs into UTAUT: hedonic motivation, price value, and habit. Individual differences — namely, age, gender, and experience — are hypothesized to moderate the effects of these constructs on behavioral intention and technology use. Results from a two-stage online survey, with technology use data collected four months after the first survey, of 1,512 mobile Internet consumers supported our model. Compared to UTAUT, the extensions proposed in UTAUT2 produced a substantial improvement in the variance explained in behavioral intention (56 percent to 74 percent) and technology use (40 percent to 52 percent). The theoretical and managerial implications of these results are discussed.

https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/Delivery.cfm/SSRN_ID2002388_code662786.pdf?abstractid=2002388&type=2

Consumer Acceptance and Use of Information Technology: Extending the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology

The nature of innovativeness, and its relationship to adoption, are explored in this article. It is argued that innovativeness should be conceptualized at a higher level of abstraction, and that explicit recognition should be given to the complex communication processes intervening between this construct and observable behavior.

Innovativeness: The Concept and Its Measurement

https://ro.uow.edu.au/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1693&context=infopapers

Formative versus reflective measurement models: Two applications of formative measurement

The nature of lead users and measurement of leading edge status

Based on a survey of 317 firms and in-depth cases on six firms, this article examines the management of the most intangible asset of the firm—its knowledge. This article examines the sources, uses, and outcomes of knowledge and shows how successful firms acquire and absorb more information and know-how. More importantly, these firms have more effective decision-making processes that enable them both to create new knowledge and to apply this knowledge to generating more innovation in products and processes. Greater levels of innovation in turn lead to improved market and financial performance. This article identifies eight key lessons for knowledge managers and demonstrates how rather than attempting to manage knowledge, firms should measure the change in the innovative outputs that arise from their knowledge management strategies and practices.

/pdf/knowledge-management-philosophy-processes-and-pitfalls-3hpcejva1o.pdf

Knowledge Management: Philosophy, Processes, and Pitfalls

In this article we simplify and apply our 1978 contingency model of adoption. In the simplified model, an individual's predisposition to innovate is modified by socially transmitted messages about the innovation, as well as by other situation specific factors. This model is used to make predictions about the future behavior of a sample of consumers that are tested with data collected during the diffusion of six innovations. While our findings support the model, especially with respect to the role of innovative individuals, they also demonstrate the need to develop explanations of rejection .

David F. Midgley

Papers

Innovativeness: The Concept and Its Measurement

Formative versus reflective measurement models: Two applications of formative measurement

The nature of lead users and measurement of leading edge status

Knowledge Management: Philosophy, Processes, and Pitfalls

A Longitudinal Study of Product Form Innovation: The Interaction between Predispositions and Social Messages