Title: Application of structural equation modelling in Iranian tourism researches: challenges and guidelines

Authors: Seyyed Mohammad Mirtaghian Rudsari; Naji Gharibi

Addresses: Faculty of Management and Accounting, Allameh Tabataba'i University, Tehran, Iran ' Victoria University of Wellington, PhD Room, Level 1, Rutherford House, Pipitea Campus, Wellington, New Zealand

Abstract: The main purpose of this study is to identify and analyse the challenges in using structural equation modelling (SEM) in tourism research in Iran. The paper examines how Iranian scholars have used the technique, using a sample of 172 papers published in the top five tourism journals published in Farsi (i.e., Persian). The results indicate that often there is a lack of discussion as to sample size, issues of normality of distribution, effect analysis, the role of coefficients of determination, and additionally selective and arbitrary reporting of fit indices are not uncommon. The paper also emphasises the role of theory in constructing such models.

Keywords: structural equation modelling; SEM; covariance-based SEM; partial least squares; challenges and misuse; Iranian tourism research.

DOI: 10.1504/IJDMMM.2021.119627

International Journal of Data Mining, Modelling and Management, 2021 Vol.13 No.4, pp.364 - 387

Received: 18 Sep 2019
Accepted: 03 Jun 2020
Published online: 13 Dec 2021 *

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