Moderation effect hypothesized positive but result shows negative an significant path coefficient

Questions about the implementation and application of the PLS-SEM method, that are not related to the usage of the SmartPLS software.
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vaibhavsmartpls
PLS Junior User
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Joined: Tue May 26, 2020 11:13 am
Real name and title: Er. Vaibhav Agarwal
Location: India

Moderation effect hypothesized positive but result shows negative an significant path coefficient

Post by vaibhavsmartpls »

Dear Community,

I have a model in which a continuous variable A positively influences B and as per the hypothesis, X (continuous variable) positively moderates their relationship. SmartPls bootstrapping results confirmed a significant positive relation between A and B, however, the interaction effect of X came out to be significant with a negative path coefficient (Beta = -0.054, p < 0.001). Now I am confused as I was expecting a positive path coefficient. Please tell me, how should I interpret this outcome, and is my moderation related hypothesis supported or not supported?

Also, the Simple Slope Plot shows almost parallel three lines (X at -1 SD, X at mean and X at +1 SD), with a positive slope.

Further, the bias-corrected confidence intervals also do not include zero in between [-0.0887, -0.0201]

Please tell me how to interpret the above and what to explain and report about hypothesis

Thank You
tanyokeyew
PLS Junior User
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Joined: Thu Nov 19, 2020 6:28 am
Real name and title: Yoke Yew

Re: Moderation effect hypothesized positive but result shows negative an significant path coefficient

Post by tanyokeyew »

Dear Vaibhav,
I'm having similar problem, do you get any answer so far? Appreciate if you could advise, thank in advance.
Regards, Yoke Yew
jmbecker
SmartPLS Developer
Posts: 1282
Joined: Tue Mar 28, 2006 11:09 am
Real name and title: Dr. Jan-Michael Becker

Re: Moderation effect hypothesized positive but result shows negative an significant path coefficient

Post by jmbecker »

Well, the interpretation is easy and as usual: You have a positive relation between A and B when X is at its mean (i.e., this is the estimated path coefficient between A and B when you moderator is in the model). This relation becomes weaker when X increases (i.e., negative interaction effect).

If you have hypothesized a positive interaction effect (i.e., the relation between A and B becomes stronger when X increases) then you hypothesis is not confirmed.
Dr. Jan-Michael Becker, BI Norwegian Business School, SmartPLS Developer
Researchgate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Jan_Michael_Becker
GoogleScholar: http://scholar.google.de/citations?user ... AAAJ&hl=de
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