Discriminant validity assessment has become a generally accepted prerequisite for analyzing relationships between latent variables. For variance-based structural equation modeling, such as partial least squares, the Fornell-Larcker criterion and the examination of cross-loadings are the dominant approaches for evaluating discriminant validity. By means of a simulation study, we show that these approaches do not reliably detect the lack of discriminant validity in common research situations. We therefore propose an alternative approach, based on the multitrait-multimethod matrix, to assess discriminant validity: the heterotrait-monotrait ratio of correlations. We demonstrate its superior performance by means of a Monte Carlo simulation study, in which we compare the new approach to the Fornell-Larcker criterion and the assessment of (partial) cross-loadings. Finally, we provide guidelines on how to handle discriminant validity issues in variance-based structural equation modeling.

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A new criterion for assessing discriminant validity in variance-based structural equation modeling

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

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.

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The use of partial least squares path modeling in international marketing

In the past few years, the IS field has seen a substantial increase in the number of submissions and publications using structural equation modeling (SEM) techniques. Part of the reason may be the increase in software packages to perform such covariance-based (e.g., LISREL, EQS, AMOS, SEPATH, RAMONA, MX, and CALIS) and componentbased (e.g., PLS-PC, PLS-Graph) analysis. Viewed as a coupling of two traditions -an econometric perspective focusing on prediction and a psychometric emphasis that models concepts as latent (unobserved) variables that are indirectly inferred from multiple observed measures (alternately termed as indicators or manifest variables) -SEM has allowed social scientists to perform path analytic modeling with latent variables (Lvs), which in turn has led some to describe this approach as an example of “a second generation of multivariate analysis” (Fornell 1987, p. 408).

https://misq.org/misq/downloads/download/editorial/314/

Issues and opinion on structural equation modeling

Mind, Self and Society from the Standpoint of a Social Behaviorist

A Primer for Soft Modeling

Dabrowski's Theory of Emotional Development provides the framework for investigating the dynamic interplay of emotion and cognition in the personality development of a group of intellectually gifted adults and a group of graduate students. When the gifted adults were compared to the graduate students on developmental potential, as measured by their over-excitability scores, the gifted subjects showed substantially greater potential for emotional development; but when actual level of development was compared, no significant differences between the two groups were found. Gender differences were discovered in areas related to traditional gender-role socialization—women scored higher on emotional potential and level of emotional development while men were higher on intellectual potential. In support of Dabrowski's theoretical position, emotional, intellectual, and imaginational intensity significantly predicted level of development.

Emotional Development, Intellectual Ability, and Gender:

Samples of widowed and divorced women drawn from public death and divorce records and matched on age, race, and median income of census tract of residence were used to test Ensel and Lin's (1991) counteractive model of the relationships among stress, social support, and distress. As hypothesized, event-related stress and other life stress following the loss of a spouse led to social and psychological distress the following year. Also in line with the hypotheses, stress was associated with increased social support from family and friends. Contrary to the hypotheses, however, social support had mixed effects on distress, depending on the type of support. For widows, practical support help decreased their distress; for divorcees, having someone listen to personal problems was beneficial. Advice did not affect distress for either group, and widows and divorcees who received material support experienced increased distress.

Stressful Life Events, Social Support, and the Distress of Widowed and Divorced Women A Counteractive Model

Divorce is viewed as a stressor in social, economic and psychological areas of life. Research shows women have diminished economic contexts and greater parenting responsibilities after divorce. Many studies examine divorced women's social support and its impact on adjustment. This literature review quantifies perceived (available) and received (enacted) social support and adjustment measures of fifteen published articles. Crosstabs and chi-square are used to analyze ninety-eight social support-adjustment relationships. Social support measures are categorized as instrumental or socioemotional for one analysis. Results show social support significantly helps in only one of four relationships. There is no difference in impact on adjustment if social support is perceived versus received, if studies are cross-sectional versus longitudinal, or if adjustment measures are categorized. However, socioemotional support is significantly more likely (p < .01) to positively impact adjustment than instrumental ...

The impact of social support on women’s adjustment to divorce: A literature review and analysis

Traditional sex-based categories are giving way to more expanded notions of gender among young men and women today. Along with feminine and masculine personalities, some individuals combine both for a more androgynous persona, whereas others exhibit few distinctly feminine or masculine characteristics. In a study of 118 gifted college students, the Bem Sex-Role Inventory was used to assess gender identity; personality characteristics were measured with the Overexcitability Questionnaire–Two. Results indicate a stronger relationship between gender identity (masculinity or femininity) and overexcitability (OE) than between sex (female or male) and OE. Males and females were distributed in the gender categories as follows: men tended to be masculine or undifferentiated, whereas women were feminine or androgynous. Androgynous males and females had higher OE scores. Implications for Dabrowski's theory and gifted education are discussed.

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Nancy B. Miller

Papers

A Primer for Soft Modeling

Emotional Development, Intellectual Ability, and Gender:

Stressful Life Events, Social Support, and the Distress of Widowed and Divorced Women A Counteractive Model

The impact of social support on women’s adjustment to divorce: A literature review and analysis

Gender Identity and the Overexcitability Profiles of Gifted College Students