Title: Factor-based structural equation modelling: going beyond PLS and composites

Authors: Ned Kock

Addresses: Division of International Business and Technology Studies, Texas A&M International University, Laredo, TX, 78041, USA

Abstract: Partial least squares (PLS) methods offer many advantages for path modelling, such as fast convergence to solutions and relaxed requirements in terms of sample size and multivariate normality. However, they do not deal with factors, but with composites. As a result, they typically underestimate path coefficients and overestimate loadings. Given these, it is difficult to fully justify their use for confirmatory factor analyses or factor-based structural equation modelling (SEM). We addressed this problem through the development of a new method that generates estimates of the true composites and factors, potentially placing researchers in a position where they can obtain consistent estimates of a wide range of model parameters in SEM analyses. A Monte Carlo experiment suggests that this new method represents a solid step in the direction of achieving this ambitious goal.

Keywords: partial least squares; PLS; structural equation modelling; measurement error; path bias; variation sharing; Monte Carlo simulation.

DOI: 10.1504/IJDATS.2019.096618

International Journal of Data Analysis Techniques and Strategies, 2019 Vol.11 No.1, pp.1 - 28

Received: 02 Sep 2016
Accepted: 09 Apr 2017

Published online: 07 Dec 2018 *

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