[HELP!!!!!] PLS and IPA matrix

Questions about the implementation and application of the PLS-SEM method, that are not related to the usage of the SmartPLS software.
Post Reply
olivia.lee
PLS User
Posts: 11
Joined: Thu Nov 26, 2015 12:18 pm
Real name and title: olivia F.LEE

[HELP!!!!!] PLS and IPA matrix

Post by olivia.lee »

Dear colleagues,

I have one very importance question for my work and also to this community.
My paper submitted to a journal was rejected and I got a strong impression that the main reason of rejection is; I failed to convince the reviewer that PLS and IPA matrix can be mixed and useful.

My model has three independent variables (A,B,C) and one mediator (D) and one target construct (E). My research had two data sets. One is from the whole industry and one from one specific firm. I used the same PLS SEM model to generate IPA matrix against these two sets. The importance levels A,B,C showed same patterns in the two data sets (importance level A>B>C). But the performance level of A,B,C from the company was A<B<C (in industry it is A>B>C). I made some arguments the company should make some efforts to make the performance level of A,B,C to A>B>C as the same as the industry data.

To convince readers, I have cited Rigdon and Ringle (2011), Hair et al. (2013) and Ringle and Sarstedt (2016), who combined the analysis of PLS-SEM to IPA matrix. I also addressed how this works (total effects represent importance and their average latent variables scores indicate performance)

However, the reviewer's concern is that

- I did not explain how to combine the two (PLS and IPA) but focused on the interpretation of IPA matrix result even though I cited above articles (In fact, he asked why PLS not ML so I think he might not know IPA is not applicable to ML. But he also mentioned formative construct is available to my model so he might know PLS well).

- The reviewer, however, is very kind person. He suggested a way out (combining the two) as following (but I need your support to digest it).

- calculate index scores in each case for A, B, C that somehow really incorporate the IPA results.
- redo the PLS-SEM analysis using A,B,C indexes (rather than as latent unobservables)

Can you please interpret this for me? I know that in Ringle and Sarstedt (2016), total effects represent the predecessor constructs importance and their average latent variables scores indicate performance. Is the reviewers comments really differ from method covered by Ringle and Sarstedt (2016)? I think the reviewer is suggesting a method within CB SEM context not PLS SEM. But I am not sure as I do not have a good knowledge in CB SEM. Especially, I feel "index scores" and "A,B,C indexes" represent CB SEM method. How I could redo with only 'index scores' and 'indexes of A,B,C'?

I will be waiting for your kind advances and comments.
Thanks in advance. Have a great weekend.

Best wishes,
widefov

Reference
Hair Jr, J. F., Hult, G. T. M., Ringle, C., & Sarstedt, M., 2013. A Primer on Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). Sage, Thousand Oaks.
Rigdon, E., Ringle, C., 2011. Assessing heterogeneity in customer satisfaction studies: across industry similarities and within industry differences. Adv. Int. Mark. 22, 169–194.
Ringle, C.M., Sarstedt, M., 2016. Gain more insight from your PLS-SEM results. Ind. Manag. Data Syst. 116, 1865–1886.
User avatar
cringle
SmartPLS Developer
Posts: 818
Joined: Tue Sep 20, 2005 9:13 am
Real name and title: Prof. Dr. Christian M. Ringle
Location: Hamburg (Germany)
Contact:

Re: [HELP!!!!!] PLS and IPA matrix

Post by cringle »

Sorry for the late response. But the need some clarification here to better address the issues.

Does the author ask you not to use PLS-SEM? In that case you need to make a basic decision whether you follow the reviewer or rather defend your method choice. You may find the responses in this topic useful to defend your decision for PLS-SEM: viewtopic.php?f=5&t=16212

When you go with PLS-SEM, you can apply the IPMA as explained in the advanced PLS-SEM book by Hair et al. (2018; https://www.smartpls.com/documentation/ ... sem-issues) and this article: http://www.emeraldinsight.com/doi/full/ ... -2015-0449

Here are some videos as well: https://www.smartpls.com/documentation/ ... p-analysis

If you follow the factor-based modeling approach (CB-SEM), I am not sure if the approach suggested by the reviewer makes much sense (indeterminate scores of latent variables). In that case, you should search if the literature provedes good articles on how to conduct an IPMA in PLS-SEM.

Alternatively, you could use PLSc to mimick the factor based results. By following the two stage approach the two stage approach that the reviewer suggested, you could estimate the PLS path model using PLSc in the first stage. Remember the roh_A reliability results. Then, run the IPMA and correct the estimated coefficients for attenuation. If you go with this approach, you may come back to us in case of further questions on how to do this correction.

Best regards
CR
olivia.lee
PLS User
Posts: 11
Joined: Thu Nov 26, 2015 12:18 pm
Real name and title: olivia F.LEE

Re: [HELP!!!!!] PLS and IPA matrix

Post by olivia.lee »

Dear Professor Ringle,

It is great to have a comment from my research guru! Actually, I gave up to have a reply to this post but you are in my side.
I really appreciate your comments. Will take a long breath and give my paper another go.

Best regards,
Olivia
User avatar
cringle
SmartPLS Developer
Posts: 818
Joined: Tue Sep 20, 2005 9:13 am
Real name and title: Prof. Dr. Christian M. Ringle
Location: Hamburg (Germany)
Contact:

Re: [HELP!!!!!] PLS and IPA matrix

Post by cringle »

Thank so much for your kind feedback!

Best regards
Christian
Post Reply