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This paper aims to discuss recent criticism related to partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM).

Using a combination of literature reviews, empirical examples, and simulation evidence, this research demonstrates that critical accounts of PLS-SEM paint an overly negative picture of PLS-SEM’s capabilities.

Criticisms of PLS-SEM often generalize from boundary conditions with little practical relevance to the method’s general performance, and disregard the metrics and analyses (e.g., Type I error assessment) that are important when assessing the method’s efficacy.

We believe the alleged “fallacies” and “untold facts” have already been addressed in prior research and that the discussion should shift toward constructive avenues by exploring future research areas that are relevant to PLS-SEM applications.

All statistical methods, including PLS-SEM, have strengths and weaknesses. Researchers need to consider established guidelines and recent advancements when using the method, especially given the fast pace of developments in the field.

This research addresses criticisms of PLS-SEM and offers researchers, reviewers, and journal editors a more constructive view of its capabilities.

The purpose of this paper is to assess the appropriateness of equal weights estimation (sumscores) and the application of the composite equivalence index (CEI) vis-à-vis differentiated indicator weights produced by partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM).

The authors rely on prior literature as well as empirical illustrations and a simulation study to assess the efficacy of equal weights estimation and the CEI.

The results show that the CEI lacks discriminatory power, and its use can lead to major differences in structural model estimates, conceals measurement model issues and almost always leads to inferior out-of-sample predictive accuracy compared to differentiated weights produced by PLS-SEM.

In light of its manifold conceptual and empirical limitations, the authors advise against the use of the CEI. Its adoption and the routine use of equal weights estimation could adversely affect the validity of measurement and structural model results and understate structural model predictive accuracy. Although this study shows that the CEI is an unsuitable metric to decide between equal weights and differentiated weights, it does not propose another means for such a comparison.

The results suggest that researchers and practitioners should prefer differentiated indicator weights such as those produced by PLS-SEM over equal weights.

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to provide a comprehensive assessment of the CEI’s usefulness. The results provide guidance for researchers considering using equal indicator weights instead of PLS-SEM-based weighted indicators.

The current study aims to explore the determinants of user intentions towards fitness YouTube channels, employing the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology 2 (UTAUT2) and Uses and Gratifications Theory (UGT) as theoretical frameworks.

Symmetric and asymmetric analyses were employed for data analysis, utilizing partial least squares-structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) for symmetric analysis and fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) for asymmetric analysis.

The study revealed significant impacts of most UTAUT2 determinants and all UGT determinants on user intentions. Additionally, the fsQCA results supported the concept of equifinality, indicating that various configurations of causal combinations can predict a high level of behavioral intention. These findings underscore the significance of comprehending user motivations and factors related to technology and social media in the context of maintaining or increasing followership and viewership for fitness content providers.

The findings suggest that individuals with high expectations and facilitating conditions, as per UTAUT, and heightened hedonic and socializing motivations, in line with UGT, are more inclined to follow fitness YouTube channels. This study offers valuable insights for fitness content creators and marketers navigating the complexities of the digital age.

Against social cognitive and social exchange theories, this research paper aims to investigate the significance and interaction between perceived knowledge, involvement, trust and brand community engagement in brand communities (BC).

BC participants (n = 503) completed a cross-sectional survey for this research. Analysis was performed using PLS-SEM via SmartPLS (v. 4.1.0.2) and the novel Necessary Condition Analysis (NCA).

An integrative KITE model with positive and significant relationships of key BC constructs was established. The perceived BC knowledge influenced involvement and engagement. Furthermore, the constructs of involvement and trust were discovered to have a positive and significant impact on engagement, with trust having a substantial effect on BC engagement. The indirect effects of the trust construct via the BC knowledge and BC involvement constructs were also significant.

This research advances the existing conceptual approaches by introducing knowledge as the key BC constructs. The study illustrates that members’ knowledge about a BC facilitates their involvement in the BCs. The vital role of trust is revealed in the KITE model, as it is significantly related to BC knowledge, BC involvement and BC engagement with at least medium to large effect sizes. Notably, the role of trust is enhanced as it is the only necessary must-have (instead of “should-have”) condition to achieve high levels of BC engagement. Furthermore, the KITE model provides insights for marketers to develop a valuable BC.

The study explores inclusive and sustainable growth in Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) by examining people-oriented practices that expand employment opportunities for women. It uses the Conservation of Resources Theory to explore sustainable HRM practices like telecommuting, managerial support and understanding generational preferences to enhance women's well-being.

The study captures the impact of HRM practices on employee well-being using multi-source data that were collected through an online questionnaire administered to 2,856 female employees in 18 Indian MSMEs. We then use PLS-SEM (SmartPLS-4 and PLS-multi-group analysis (PLS-MGA)) to analyze predictors of employee well-being.

The data analysis revealed that satisfaction with HRM practices positively impacted employee well-being. Secondly, satisfaction with telecommuting mediated the relationship between satisfaction with HRM practices and employee well-being. Thirdly, managerial support positively moderated the relationship between satisfaction with telecommuting and well-being. Lastly, generational cohort membership moderated the satisfaction with HRM policies and well-being, with Generation Z having a stronger need than Generation Y.

This study emphasizes the significance of robust and gender-sensitive HRM practices in MSMEs in high-growth emerging markets. It emphasizes the need for telecommuting policies and the role of managers in creating a supportive work environment for women. By implementing these insights, MSMEs can develop effective strategies to attract, retain and promote the well-being of women employees, thereby fostering sustainable HRM practices.

This study explores sustainable MSME HRM practices supporting gender inclusions and women’s well-being in high-growth emerging markets. By focusing on gender inclusion and the impact of telecommuting, generational preferences and managerial support, we contribute to mechanisms for sustainable labor as an economic and social concept.

Consumers by and large today look for economic growth and benefits without compromising on socio-environmental well-being. Having said that, it is imperative to note that consumers' consciousness may not essentially lead to sustainable purchases. This chapter aims to examine the role of both sustainable purchase intention and post-purchase dissonance in the relationship between consumers' sustainability consciousness and consumers' evangelism. With the increased role of social media pervading our lives, trusted sources' recommendations play a significant role in co-creating products. Thus, research on consumers' evangelism (especially sustainability-conscious consumers) would help marketers develop successful strategies. This study expands to the extant literature on sustainability-conscious consumers vis-a-vis consumer evangelism. We collected responses from 227 respondents to examine hypotheses, by means of structural equation modelling (SEM). The study indicates sustainable purchase intention does mediate the relationship between sustainability-conscious consumers and consumer evangelism. On the other hand, we also note that post-purchase dissonance is not a significant moderating construct between sustainability-conscious consumers and consumer evangelism.

This study aims to explore and ranks the factors that might determine attitudes and intentions toward using autonomous vehicles (AVs).

The “technology acceptance model” (TAM) was extended by assessing the moderating influences of personal-related factors. Data were collected from 378 Vietnamese and analysed using a combination of “partial least squares” and the “adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system” (ANFIS) technique.

The findings demonstrated the power of TAM in explaining the attitude and intention to use AVs. ANFIS enables ranking the importance of determinants and predicting the outcomes. Perceived ease of use and attitude were the most crucial drivers of attitude and intention to use AVs, respectively. Personal innovativeness negatively moderates the influence of perceived ease of use on attitude. Data privacy concerns moderate positively the impact of perceived usefulness on attitude. The moderating effect of price sensitivity was not supported.

These findings provide insights for policymakers and automobile companies' managers, designers and marketers on driving factors in making decisions to adopt AVs.

The study extends the AVs literature by illustrating the importance of personal-related factors, ranking the determinants of attitude and intention, illustrating the inter-relationships among AVs adoption factors and predicting individuals' attitudes and behaviours towards using AVs.

This study examines the impact of perceived human resource management practices on talent turnover intention, with work engagement mediating and self-efficacy moderating the relationship. It examines how employees' perceptions of pay satisfaction, empowerment, participation and communication are related to their turnover intentions.

A total of 283 valid questionnaires from UAE government employees were used for data analysis. Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was used to examine the proposed hypothesis.

The results reveal that employees' perceptions of pay satisfaction, empowerment, participation and communication are significant contributors to work engagement. The findings further demonstrate that work engagement significantly negatively affects talent turnover intention and acts as a mediator between employees' perceptions of individual human resource management practices and talent turnover intention. However, the results contradict the hypothesis that self-efficacy moderates the association between work engagement and talent turnover intention.

This study focuses on the impact of perceived human resource management practices on talent turnover intention, an area that has received limited attention in literature. By focusing on perceived human resource management practices, this study illuminates employees' subjective experiences and how they perceive human resource management practices intended to reduce talent turnover intention. The inclusion of the mediating effect of work engagement offers a more profound understanding of how employees' perceptions of human resource management practices influence their turnover intentions. This comprehensive approach to understanding the interplay between these variables provides valuable insights for organizations seeking to improve their human resource management practices and talent turnover intention.

The article aims to present the results of adapting the team boosting behaviors (TBB) scale to Polish cultural conditions and validating it.

The research methodology consisted of three steps. In the first step, I translated the TBB scale into Polish using a rigorous back-translation method. Next, to assess content validity, nine domain experts reviewed the initial version of the instrument for clarity and relevance. Finally, I applied the scale to a sample of 532 team members and underwent thorough psychometric testing to assess construct validity. I employed structural equation modeling (SEM) with the partial least squares (PLS) factor-based algorithm technique for confirmatory factor analysis to assess the scale’s reliability and validity.

After development, the Polish version of the TBB scale kept its three sub-scale structures. However, the validation process led to a slight reduction in the number of test items compared to the original scale.

The findings imply that the Polish version of the scale is a valid and reliable tool for assessing TBB. However, I recommend additional studies to confirm this instrument’s structure.

The results confirmed the reliability and relevance of the tool for measuring TBBs in Polish cultural conditions. The tool provides the basis for implementing further research with the TBB construct in Poland and internationally.

This study investigates the impact of entrepreneurial orientation (EO) and knowledge management (KM) on firm performance (PERF), as well as the mediating role of KM in the EO–PERF (EO-PERF relationship). In particular, this study aims to explain the impact of KM on the relationship between the EO dimensions and PERF; dimensions are risk-taking (RT), innovativeness (IN) and proactiveness (PR).

This study uses structural equation modelling and fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) methodologies to explore target relationships. The sample consists of 150 small furniture manufacturers operating in Poland (out of 1,480 in the population).

The study findings show that KM partially mediates the IN–PERF relationship. Furthermore, fsQCA reveals that KM accompanied by IN is a core condition that leads to PERF. Moreover, the absence of KM (accompanied by the absence of RT and IN) leads to the absence of PERF. In addition, the results show that all the variables examined (RT, IN, PR and KM) positively impact PERF.

This study explores the role of KM in the context of EO and its impact on PERF in the low-tech industry. The study uses simultaneously two methodologies that represent different approaches in the search for the expected relationships. The findings reveal that KM mediates the EO-PERF relationship.